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Lane HouseLane House · Photo: Smallbones · CC0
B−
Schools in Mercersburg · Tuscarora School District

Mercersburg’s public schools outscore 52% of Pennsylvania districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Mercersburg, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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
55%
▼ 0 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
33%
▼ 3 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 2–6 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.0K
▼ 17% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.8
PA 13.4
Schools in town
1
1,488 students on the public path
In brief

Mercersburg’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 55% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 55% and 36% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania (the state reports Mercersburg’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,043 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 James Buchanan MS, then James Buchanan HS. 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 Mercersburg’s grade

B− Test scoresC+ Graduation

B−: better than 52% of Pennsylvania school districts. Graduation is above the Pennsylvania average; test scores are below it.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 52%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (1947)Better than 48%
C+B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,145 test results and a graduating class of 193 could put Mercersburg anywhere from C+ to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Mercersburg’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,064 in math, 1,226 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–5Mercersburg El SchTuscarora School DistrictB−
6–8James Buchanan MSTuscarora School DistrictC
9–12James Buchanan HSTuscarora School DistrictA

Mercersburg’s public schools are run by Tuscarora School District, which also serves Montgomery, Peters, St. Thomas and Warren. 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.

Tuscarora School DistrictGrades K–12 · 6 schools · 2,182 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 13.8 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$18,043PA $21,758 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading55%
State average 55.1% · 1226 students tested
Math33%
State average 36.1% · 1064 students tested

Mercersburg vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
MercersburgB−Tuscarora
PetersB−Tuscarora
MontgomeryB−Tuscarora

All 2 neighbors share Tuscarora with Mercersburg, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Mercersburg

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 Mercersburgby address
Mercersburg El Sch
Elementary · Grades K–5
B−
232 students13:1Rate it →
Also serving Mercersburgin other towns
James Buchanan MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
535 students13:1Rate it →
James Buchanan HS
High · Grades 9–12
A
721 students16:1Rate it →

Questions about Mercersburg’s schools

Are Mercersburg’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Pennsylvania: the public schools Mercersburg children attend outscore 52% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 48%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Mercersburg in?

Tuscarora School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,182 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do Mercersburg kids go to high school?

James Buchanan HS, with 721 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Mercersburg’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Tuscarora School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does Mercersburg spend per student?

$18,043 in Tuscarora School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Mercersburg families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Mercersburg → 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.