Lower Paxton Township’s public schools score below 61% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Lower Paxton Township, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Pennsylvania, not nationally.
From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% 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.
Lower Paxton Township’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1660 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lower Paxton Township’s, its schools beat 18%, lower than their 39% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 55% of tested students were proficient in reading and 32% in math, against 55% and 36% statewide; 94% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,282 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then three middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Infinity CS, Bishop McDevitt High School (private), Follow Me Christian Early Education Center (private), East Shore Montessori School (private), Nature & Nurture Discovery School (private) and Merakey Education & Autism Center (private) are in town. Reach Cyber CS, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
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.
What’s behind Lower Paxton Township’s grade
C+: better than 39% of Pennsylvania school districts, #781 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Both inputs trail the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lower Paxton Township, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Lower Paxton Township · depends on your address
Linglestown MS
Grades 6–8 · 841 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Harrisburg
Central Dauphin MS
Grades 6–8 · 834 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Harrisburg
Central Dauphin East MS
Grades 6–8 · 702 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Harrisburg
7th grade in Lower Paxton Township · depends on your address
Linglestown MS
Grades 6–8 · 841 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Harrisburg
Central Dauphin MS
Grades 6–8 · 834 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Harrisburg
Central Dauphin East MS
Grades 6–8 · 702 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Harrisburg
8th grade in Lower Paxton Township · depends on your address
Linglestown MS
Grades 6–8 · 841 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Harrisburg
Central Dauphin MS
Grades 6–8 · 834 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Harrisburg
Central Dauphin East MS
Grades 6–8 · 702 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Harrisburg
9th grade in Lower Paxton Township
Central Dauphin East SHS
Grades 9–12 · 1,573 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Harrisburg
10th grade in Lower Paxton Township
Central Dauphin East SHS
Grades 9–12 · 1,573 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Harrisburg
11th grade in Lower Paxton Township
Central Dauphin East SHS
Grades 9–12 · 1,573 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Harrisburg
12th grade in Lower Paxton Township
Central Dauphin East SHS
Grades 9–12 · 1,573 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Harrisburg
Lower Paxton Township’s public schools are run by Central Dauphin School District, which also serves Dauphin, Middle Paxton, Paxtang and Penbrook and others. 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.
Close to the state in reading
Lower Paxton Township vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Lower Paxton Township’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Paxton Township | C+ | Central Dauphin |
| West Hanover | C+ | Central Dauphin |
| South Hanover | B+ | Lower Dauphin |
| Swatara | C+ | Central Dauphin |
| Middle Paxton | C+ | Central Dauphin |
3 of the 4 neighbors share Central Dauphin with Lower Paxton Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Lower Paxton Township
18 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).
Questions about Lower Paxton Township’s schools
Are Lower Paxton Township’s schools good?
On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lower Paxton Township children attend score below 61% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #781 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 18%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lower Paxton Township in?
Central Dauphin School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 12,389 students in 19 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lower Paxton Township kids go to high school?
Central Dauphin East SHS in Harrisburg, with 1,573 students; its own test results earn a C.
What is Lower Paxton Township’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Central Dauphin School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.
How much does Lower Paxton Township spend per student?
$16,282 in Central Dauphin School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lower Paxton Township?
Yes: Bishop McDevitt High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 752 students), Follow Me Christian Early Education Center (religious, grades PK–K, 74 students), East Shore Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 27 students), Nature & Nurture Discovery School (nonsectarian, grades K, 10 students) and Merakey Education & Autism Center (special education, grades 8–12, 6 students). Lower Paxton Township also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Lower Paxton Township families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lower Paxton Township → 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.