Rutherford Elementary School

Summary:

Rutherford Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, serving 441 students in grades K-5. It is part of the Central Dauphin School District, which is ranked 372 out of 610 school districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Rutherford Elementary School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Pennsylvania elementary schools over the past 10 years, with a ranking between 796 and 1,172 out of 1,500+ schools. The school's performance on PSSA tests is generally below the state and district averages, particularly in Math and English Language Arts. However, Rutherford Elementary School performs relatively well in PSSA Science, with proficiency rates above the state and district averages. The school's performance is especially strong for African American and Hispanic students, who rank in the top quartile of Pennsylvania elementary schools in these subgroups, but weaker for White and Disabled students, ranking in the bottom quartile. Rutherford Elementary School has an extremely high percentage of students (over 99%) eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

Compared to nearby schools, Rutherford Elementary School's performance is generally lower than other elementary schools in the Central Dauphin School District, such as North Side Elementary and Paxtang Elementary, which have higher rankings and better student outcomes. However, Rutherford Elementary School outperforms some nearby schools in the Middletown Area and Lower Dauphin School Districts, such as Chambers Hill Elementary and South Side Elementary, which have even lower rankings and student proficiency rates. The nearby Kunkel Elementary School and Nye Elementary School, which are in different school districts, have significantly higher student performance and rankings compared to Rutherford Elementary School.


Detail:

Public K-5

 6500 Clearfield St
       Harrisburg, PA  17111-4422


(717) 561-1990

District: Central Dauphin School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
962nd of 1,526 Pennsylvania Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,149 Help


Students who attend Rutherford Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Central Dauphin East Middle School
High:    Central Dauphin East Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.4 Help
Number of students:  441

Racial breakdown:

White:
27.2%
Asian:
25.4%
African American:
23.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.5% Help


 See top rated Pennsylvania elementary schools

 Compare Rutherford Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Rutherford Elementary School ranks worse than 63% of elementary schools in Pennsylvania. It also ranks 7th among 13 ranked elementary schools in the Central Dauphin School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 44.17. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Student population at Rutherford Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (27.2%), Asian (25.4%), African American (23.1%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 99.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Rutherford Elementary School is 16.4. 9 elementary schools in the Central Dauphin School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Rutherford Elementary School employs 26.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Rutherford Elementary School is $13,149. 9 elementary schools in the Central Dauphin School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Rutherford Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Rutherford Elementary School 962nd of 1526 Pennsylvania public elementary schools. (See Rutherford Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Central Dauphin School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Central Dauphin School District 372nd of 610 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Rutherford Elementary School?

Rank History for Rutherford Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Rutherford Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 53.70 696th 1302 46.5%
2004 28.10 1024th 1308 21.7%
2005 59.19 644th 1299 50.4%
2006 42.39 1102nd 1545 28.7%
2007 40.86 1125th 1555 27.7%
2008 50.45 970th 1551 37.5%
2009 38.95 1168th 1549 24.6%
2010 41.61 1152nd 1579 27.0%
2011 46.12 1097th 1597 31.3%
2012 48.43 1073rd 1599 32.9%
2013 41.20 1099th 1519 27.6%
2014 28.97 1172nd 1467 20.1%
2015 30.06 1106th 1474 25.0%
2016 34.68 1123rd 1554 27.7%
2017 29.18 1170th 1547 24.4%
2018 40.82 1046th 1530 31.6%
2019 50.62 914th 1544 40.8%
2021 35.11 1023rd 1433 28.6%
2022 46.04 954th 1534 37.8%
2023 54.46 796th 1534 48.1%
2024 44.17 962nd 1526 37.0%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Rutherford Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 75.04 32nd 196 83.7%
2024 73.87 30th 200 85.0%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Rutherford Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 63.55 509th 1414 64.0%
2024 50.55 774th 1432 45.9%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Rutherford Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 47.12 883rd 1488 40.7%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Rutherford Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 24.64 845th 1084 22.0%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Rutherford Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 41.02 978th 1495 34.6%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Rutherford Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 13.05 144th 160 10.0%
2024 19.30 143rd 168 14.9%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Rutherford Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 90.15 27th 437 93.8%
2024 74.22 70th 437 84.0%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Rutherford Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 82.80 49th 432 88.7%
2024 75.38 86th 454 81.1%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Rutherford Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 43.10 765th 1236 38.1%
2024 27.60 983rd 1229 20.0%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Pennsylvania Dept of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Rutherford Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Pennsylvania Dept of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Open Quote The teachers here go above and beyond to make sure every child excels. They enforce respect and responsibility in every student. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Rutherford Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 231 33 9 11 0 n/a n/a 0 284
1989 227 39 9 8 0 n/a n/a 0 283
1990 224 38 7 10 0 n/a n/a 0 279
1991 206 27 6 11 0 n/a n/a 0 250
1992 249 23 5 10 0 n/a n/a 0 287
1993 241 31 5 13 0 n/a n/a 0 290
1994 257 34 2 14 0 n/a n/a 0 307
1995 290 45 2 12 1 n/a n/a 0 350
1996 290 45 2 12 1 n/a n/a 0 350
1997 293 45 4 12 1 n/a n/a 0 355
1998 308 48 1 12 1 n/a n/a 0 370
1999 320 50 4 15 0 n/a n/a 0 389
2000 322 56 18 34 1 n/a n/a 0 431
2001 280 101 29 45 1 n/a n/a 0 456
2002 228 141 24 57 0 n/a n/a 0 450
2003 228 141 24 57 0 n/a n/a 0 450
2004 183 144 19 60 0 n/a n/a 0 406
2005 129 105 15 45 0 n/a n/a 0 294
2006 128 109 22 35 1 n/a n/a 0 295
2007 157 125 25 41 0 n/a n/a 0 348
2008 150 108 27 28 1 n/a n/a 0 314
2009 141 86 20 31 1 n/a n/a 39 318
2010 137 85 17 29 1 n/a n/a 40 309
2011 133 97 20 48 0 0 34 0 332
2012 158 96 20 67 0 0 35 0 376
2013 157 114 29 81 1 0 42 0 424
2014 150 116 28 90 1 0 48 0 433
2015 144 103 33 90 1 0 51 0 422
2016 134 118 49 83 1 0 54 0 439
2017 134 112 50 86 0 0 45 0 427
2018 114 108 52 90 0 0 39 0 403
2019 123 115 52 87 0 0 34 0 411
2020 121 125 67 74 0 0 35 0 422
2021 103 117 75 71 1 0 34 0 401
2022 114 99 93 73 1 0 37 0 417
2023 120 102 112 67 2 0 38 0 441

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Rutherford Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 284 17.9 15.8 n/a
1989 283 18.4 15.3 n/a
1990 279 18.3 15.2 0
1991 250 17.5 14.2 n/a
1992 287 18.5 15.5 n/a
1993 290 17.0 17.1 n/a
1994 307 17.0 18.1 n/a
1995 350 21.0 16.7 n/a
1996 350 21.0 16.7 n/a
1997 355 21.0 16.9 n/a
1998 370 20.0 18.5 n/a
1999 389 21.0 18.5 n/a
2000 431 27.0 16.0 27.4
2001 456 27.0 16.9 33.6
2002 450 27.1 16.6 43.3
2003 450 27.1 16.6 43.3
2004 406 24.6 16.5 35.5
2005 294 19.1 15.4 66.3
2006 295 20.0 14.8 46.1
2007 348 22.3 15.6 38.2
2008 314 27.2 11.5 37.3
2009 318 24.7 12.9 54.8
2010 309 22.5 13.7 52
2011 332 23.1 14.3 44.6
2012 376 25.3 14.8 48.4
2013 424 26.4 16.0 57.3
2014 433 27.2 15.9 58.7
2015 422 26.0 16.2 58.5
2016 439 30.0 14.6 60.4
2017 427 29.9 14.2 69.6
2018 403 29.4 13.6 100
2019 411 26.5 15.4 100
2020 422 26.4 15.9 100
2021 401 26.9 14.8 100
2022 417 24.9 16.7 99.3
2023 441 26.8 16.4 99.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Rutherford Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 284 17.9 15.8 n/a
1989 283 18.4 15.3 n/a
1990 279 18.3 15.2 0
1991 250 17.5 14.2 n/a
1992 287 18.5 15.5 n/a
1993 290 17.0 17.1 n/a
1994 307 17.0 18.1 n/a
1995 350 21.0 16.7 n/a
1996 350 21.0 16.7 n/a
1997 355 21.0 16.9 n/a
1998 370 20.0 18.5 n/a
1999 389 21.0 18.5 n/a
2000 431 27.0 16.0 27.4
2001 456 27.0 16.9 33.6
2002 450 27.1 16.6 43.3
2003 450 27.1 16.6 43.3
2004 406 24.6 16.5 35.5
2005 294 19.1 15.4 66.3
2006 295 20.0 14.8 46.1
2007 348 22.3 15.6 38.2
2008 314 27.2 11.5 37.3
2009 318 24.7 12.9 54.8
2010 309 22.5 13.7 52
2011 332 23.1 14.3 44.6
2012 376 25.3 14.8 48.4
2013 424 26.4 16.0 57.3
2014 433 27.2 15.9 58.7
2015 422 26.0 16.2 58.5
2016 439 30.0 14.6 60.4
2017 427 29.9 14.2 69.6
2018 403 29.4 13.6 100
2019 411 26.5 15.4 100
2020 422 26.4 15.9 100
2021 401 26.9 14.8 100
2022 417 24.9 16.7 99.3
2023 441 26.8 16.4 99.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Rutherford Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $586 (4.7%) $11,999 (95.3%) $12,585
2020 $572 (4.4%) $12,396 (95.6%) $12,968
2021 $649 (4.4%) $13,937 (95.6%) $14,586
2022 $1,616 (12.3%) $11,533 (87.7%) $13,149

Data source: Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Rutherford Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 914th of 1544 Elementary schoolsRanks 796th of 1534 Elementary schools
 7.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (Rutherford Elementary School)51.636.4
 15.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Pennsylvania)5651.7
 4.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Rutherford Elementary School)56.242.4
 13.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)61.954
 7.9%
4th Grade Math (Rutherford Elementary School)55.551.8
 3.7%
   4th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)46.246.5
 0.3%
4th Grade Science (Rutherford Elementary School)85.582.7
 2.8%
   4th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)77.874.1
 3.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Rutherford Elementary School)72.749.4
 23.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)63.651.8
 11.8%
5th Grade Math (Rutherford Elementary School)40.350.8
 10.5%
   5th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)4342.7
 0.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Rutherford Elementary School)47.263.4
 16.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)58.553.6
 4.9%
All Grades Math (Rutherford Elementary School)48.446.8
 1.6%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (Rutherford Elementary School)85.582.7
 2.8%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Rutherford Elementary School)57.651.8
 5.8%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)60.953.8
 7.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students411441
 7.3%
African American115102
 11.3%
American Indian02
Asian52112
 115.4%
Hispanic8767
 23%
Pacific Islander00
White123120
 2.4%
Two or More Races3438
 11.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%99.5%
 0.5%


Schools Near Rutherford Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Rutherford Elementary School

Students at Rutherford Elementary School are 27% White, 25% Asian, 23% African American, 15% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races.

Rutherford Elementary School ranks 962nd of 1526 Pennsylvania elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 441 students attended Rutherford Elementary School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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