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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

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 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.2%
Math vs. State Avg-14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.2 pts
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-18.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,304

Upper Dauphin Area MS — Students at Upper Dauphin Area MS score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.0%
School
State
37.0%
ELA Proficiency 43.9%
School
State
53.2%

Based on 14 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
30%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
28.3%
ELA
39%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.8/10
16th percentile in PA
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Upper Dauphin Area SD
District Enrollment
1,038
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,874
District Rank
#3 of 3

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 methodology

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