Best Public Schools in Zip Code 17048

The 17048 zip code in Pennsylvania is home to two schools, Upper Dauphin Area Elementary School and Upper Dauphin Area Middle School, both part of the Upper Dauphin Area School District. The district is ranked 432 out of 606 school districts in Pennsylvania and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating that the schools in this area face significant challenges.

While the elementary school has higher proficiency rates in PSSA Math and English Language Arts compared to the district and state averages, particularly in 4th grade, the middle school lags behind, with lower proficiency rates in these subjects, especially in 6th grade. Both schools, however, perform better than the district and state in PSSA Science. The high rates of free and reduced lunch recipients at both schools, over 50%, suggest that the community faces significant socioeconomic challenges, which may impact student learning and achievement.

The difference in spending per student between the elementary and middle schools is noteworthy, with the elementary school spending $13,958 per student and the middle school spending $15,202 per student. This disparity in resource allocation within the district may contribute to the uneven academic performance between the two schools. Additionally, the relatively low dropout rate at the middle school, 1.4%, is a positive finding, but it's important to consider other factors, such as student engagement and overall academic success, to get a more comprehensive understanding of the school's performance.