Below Average
#2394 of 2,842 schools in PA
Upper Dauphin Area MS
Middle School · Upper Dauphin Area SD
5668 State Route 209, Lykens, PA 17048
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
4.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
4.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lykens
#2 of 2
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#439 of 514
In district
#3 of 3
Upper Dauphin Area SD
About Upper Dauphin Area MS
Upper Dauphin Area MS is a regular public middle school serving students in grades 5 through 8. Located in the rural community of Lykens, Pennsylvania, the school sits on State Route 209 and has an enrollment of 314 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1. The school is supported by 23 full-time equivalent teachers who work to provide a solid educational foundation for their students.
Academically, Upper Dauphin Area MS has room for improvement, with MySchoolScout ranking it at 3.5 out of 10 and placing it in the 14th percentile among Pennsylvania schools. In state assessments, 44% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 28% meet proficiency standards in Math. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to student development and offers a supportive environment for learning.
The rural setting provides a peaceful backdrop where middle schoolers can engage with their peers and teachers in smaller class sizes than might be found in larger urban schools. Upper Dauphin Area MS is nestled within a close-knit community that values education, making it an integral part of the local landscape.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Upper Dauphin Area MS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Upper Dauphin Area MS — Students at Upper Dauphin Area MS score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.5/10.
How Upper Dauphin Area MS Compares
See how Upper Dauphin Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 28.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 39.2% (2024).
Location
5668 State Route 209, Lykens, PA 17048
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Upper Dauphin Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Millersburg Area Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Millersburg), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Line Mountain MS (rated 3.9/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Herndon), with a comparable rating. Additionally, WHITE OAK SCHOOL (rated 2.8/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Port Trevorton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lykens, see our Lykens schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Dauphin Area El Sch Lykens | 0.0 mi | 7.5 |
| RAKERS MILL SCHOOL Elizabethville | 3.2 mi | — |
| Upper Dauphin Area HS Elizabethville | 3.3 mi | 6.0 |
| SOUTH MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL Spring Glen | 4.4 mi | — |
| MAHANTANGO MOUNTAIN SCHOOL Lykens | 5.3 mi | 2.9 |
| Line Mountain HS Herndon | 7.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Line Mountain MS Herndon | 7.9 mi | 3.9 |
| SONGBIRD HOLLOW AMISH SCHOOL Hegins | 7.4 mi | — |
| NORTHERN DAUPHIN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Millersburg | 7.8 mi | 6.1 |
| SCHWABEN CREEK SCHOOL Herndon | 10.5 mi | — |
| NORTHERN DAUPHIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Millersburg | 8.7 mi | 6.0 |
| CHERRYTOWN SCHOOL Dornsife | 11.9 mi | — |
| Williams Valley JSHS Tower City | 9.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Williams Valley El Sch Tower City | 9.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Mahantongo El Sch Klingerstown | 11.5 mi | 3.1 |
| Millersburg Area High School Millersburg | 10.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Millersburg Area Middle School Millersburg | 10.4 mi | 5.8 |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW Port Trevorton | 11.2 mi | — |
| RIVERVIEW SCHOOL CLEON MARTIN Liverpool | 11.1 mi | — |
| WHITE OAK SCHOOL Port Trevorton | 11.7 mi | 2.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17048 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,873
Median Home Value
$136,300
Median Rent
$809/mo
Population
3,801
College Educated
13.1%
Homeownership
68.4%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Upper Dauphin Area MS has a median household income of $72,873. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $136,300, with a median rent of $809/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Everett Area MS Everett, PA | 4.8 |
| Northwestern MS Albion, PA | 4.8 |
| Sharpsville Area MS Sharpsville, PA | 4.8 |
| Annville-Cleona MS Annville, PA | 4.7 |
| Arts Academy CS Allentown, PA | 5.0 |
| Columbia MS Hill Campus Columbia, PA | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Upper Dauphin Area MS
What grades does Upper Dauphin Area MS serve?
Upper Dauphin Area MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Upper Dauphin Area MS?
Upper Dauphin Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 314 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Upper Dauphin Area MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Upper Dauphin Area MS is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Upper Dauphin Area MS rank in PA?
Upper Dauphin Area MS is ranked #2394 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Upper Dauphin Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Upper Dauphin Area MS has a composite rating of 4.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Upper Dauphin Area MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Upper Dauphin Area MS has 28.0% math proficiency and 43.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Upper Dauphin Area MS a charter school?
No, Upper Dauphin Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Upper Dauphin Area MS a Title I school?
No, Upper Dauphin Area MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Upper Dauphin Area MS?
53.2% of students at Upper Dauphin Area MS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 314
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Dauphin County
- Phone
- (717) 362-8177
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Upper Dauphin Area SD- District Enrollment
- 1,038
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,874
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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