Summary:
The city of Steelton, Pennsylvania is home to 4 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school, serving students across the Steelton-Highspire School District and the Central Dauphin School District. While the schools in the Steelton-Highspire District consistently rank among the lowest in the state, the Swatara Middle School and Tri-Community Elementary School in the Central Dauphin District stand out as higher-performing institutions.
The Steelton-Highspire Elementary School and Steelton-Highspire High School have a majority minority student population, with over 75% of students identifying as African American or Hispanic. These schools also have very low proficiency rates on standardized tests, often less than 15% proficient or better in Math and English Language Arts, despite spending significantly more per student than the state average. In contrast, the Central Dauphin schools have more diverse student populations and PSSA scores that are closer to the district and state averages, with some grades performing above the state average.
The stark contrast in academic performance between the Steelton-Highspire schools and the Central Dauphin schools highlights the significant challenges faced by students in the Steelton-Highspire School District, which serves a high-poverty community. While increased funding alone may not be the solution, targeted interventions and evidence-based strategies could help address the underlying factors contributing to the poor performance of the Steelton-Highspire schools and improve student outcomes in the area.
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