Mahadev Maitri Foundation
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Central Dauphin SD

Pennsylvania · Public School District
19
Schools
12,393
Students
$18,517
Per-Pupil Spend
+29% nat'l
74.5%
Free Lunch Rate
+22pp vs nat'l
86.1%
Graduation Rate
≈ nat'l avg
District Overview

Central Dauphin SD is a public school district in Pennsylvania serving 12,393 students across 19 schools. It includes 13 elementary, 4 middle, 2 high schools. Its graduation rate of 86.1% is near the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $18,517 is above average for a US public school district. 74% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 43/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (19)
Elementary Schools13 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Chambers Hill El SchKG–05258
Lawnton El SchKG–05283
Linglestown El SchKG–05443
Middle Paxton El SchKG–05263
Mountain View El SchKG–05395
North Side El SchKG–05707
Paxtang El SchKG–05294
Paxtonia El SchKG–05689
Phillips El SchKG–05425
Rutherford El SchKG–05441
South Side El SchKG–05654
Tri-Community El SchKG–05428
West Hanover El SchKG–05574
Middle Schools4 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Central Dauphin East MS06–08779
Central Dauphin MS06–08848
Linglestown MS06–08808
Swatara MS06–08539
High Schools2 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Central Dauphin East SHS09–121,590
Central Dauphin SHS09–121,975
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$18,517+29% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
23%
69%
State
22.6%
Local (property tax)
68.5%
Federal
8.9%

This district draws the majority of its budget from local property taxes (69%), typical of wealthier suburban districts.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
19
Schools
12,393
Students
74%
Free Lunch
$19K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate86.1%
Opportunity Score43/100
StatePennsylvania →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
High per-student investment
Spends $18,517 per pupil — 29% above the national average of $14,347.
Range of school options
With 19 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
High economic need in community
74% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Central Dauphin SD?
Central Dauphin SD has 19 public schools, serving a total of 12,393 students.
What is the graduation rate for Central Dauphin SD?
The graduation rate is 86.1%, which is below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Central Dauphin SD spend per student?
Central Dauphin SD spends $18,517 per pupil — 29% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Central Dauphin SD?
74% of students in Central Dauphin SD qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Central Dauphin SD?
No, Central Dauphin SD does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Central Dauphin SD serve?
Central Dauphin SD serves grades KG through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Central Dauphin SD?
The median opportunity score across schools in Central Dauphin SD is 43/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.