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Englehart Melchinger HouseEnglehart Melchinger House · Photo: Smallbones · CC0
B−
Schools in Dover · Dover Area School District

Dover’s public schools score below 55% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Dover, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Dover’s districts is 41%, above the Pennsylvania average (36%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Pennsylvania, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
58%
▲ 3 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
41%
▲ 5 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85%
▼ 2 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.9K
▼ 18% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.1
PA 13.4 · larger classes
Schools in town
2
2,070 students on the public path
In brief

Dover’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 2046 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Dover’s, its schools beat 31%, lower than their 45% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 58% and math 41% in spring 2022, against 55% and 36% statewide; 85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $17,933 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Dover Area MS, then Dover Area HS. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Dover’s grade

B Test scoresC− Graduation

B−: better than 45% of Pennsylvania school districts. Test scores are above the Pennsylvania average; graduation is below it.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 45%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (2046)Better than 31%
CBA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,681 test results and a graduating class of 251 could put Dover anywhere from C to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Dover’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,658 in math, 1,704 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dover, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5Dover Area El SchDover Area School DistrictB
6–8Dover Area MSDover Area School DistrictC+
9–12Dover Area HSDover Area School DistrictB−

Dover’s public schools are run by Dover Area School District, which also serves Dover. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Dover Area School DistrictGrades K–12 · 6 schools · 3,149 students, down 8% since 2020–21 · 14.1 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$17,933PA $21,758 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading58%
State average 55.1% · 1704 students tested
Math41%
State average 36.1% · 1658 students tested

Dover vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Dover’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DoverB−Dover Area

Every school in Dover

3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Pennsylvania’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Doverby address
Dover Area El Sch
Elementary · Grades K–5
B
356 students13:1Rate it →
Dover Area MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
735 students13:1Rate it →
Also serving Doverin other towns
Dover Area HS
High · Grades 9–12
B−
979 students16:1Rate it →

Questions about Dover’s schools

Are Dover’s schools good?

On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Dover children attend score below 55% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 31%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Dover in?

Dover Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 3,149 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do Dover kids go to high school?

Dover Area HS, with 979 students; its own test results earn a B−.

What is Dover’s graduation rate?

85% of the class of 2023 in Dover Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does Dover spend per student?

$17,933 in Dover Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Dover families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Dover → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Pennsylvania. Stars are from neighbors.