Summary:
The 17070 zip code area in Pennsylvania is home to 3 schools - 2 elementary schools (Hillside Elementary and Fairview Elementary) and 1 middle school (New Cumberland Middle School). The data reveals stark differences in the performance and outcomes of these schools.
Fairview Elementary stands out as a high-performing school, consistently ranking among the top 25% of Pennsylvania elementary schools and earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. It boasts significantly higher proficiency rates than the district and state averages across PSSA Math, Science, and English Language Arts assessments. In contrast, New Cumberland Middle School has struggled, ranking in the bottom half of Pennsylvania middle schools and earning only 2-3 stars from SchoolDigger over the past 3 years. Its proficiency rates trail the district and state averages, particularly in Math.
The data also highlights the potential impact of socioeconomic factors on school performance. Hillside Elementary, with the highest free/reduced lunch rate in the group, has lower proficiency rates than Fairview Elementary, which serves a more affluent student population. However, the similar per-student spending across the 3 schools suggests that factors beyond just funding, such as school leadership, teacher quality, and instructional practices, may play a significant role in driving academic outcomes.
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