Summary:
The 17236 zip code in Pennsylvania is home to 5 schools, including 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school, all part of the Tuscarora School District. While the district as a whole is ranked 290 out of 606 in the state, the schools in this area show a mix of strong and weak performance, with Mercersburg Elementary standing out as the top-performing school and Montgomery Elementary consistently underperforming.
Mercersburg Elementary is the clear standout, ranking 455 out of 1,534 Pennsylvania elementary schools and earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. It boasts particularly strong test scores, with 61.8% of students proficient or better in PSSA Math and 64.5% proficient or better in PSSA English Language Arts. Mountain View Elementary also performs well, ranking 571 out of 1,534 and earning a 3-star rating, with the highest PSSA Science proficiency rate at 80.4% and the second-highest PSSA Math proficiency rate at 59.6%.
In contrast, Montgomery Elementary consistently underperforms, with the lowest proficiency rates on PSSA exams and a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger. The high school, James Buchanan High School, has strong overall performance, but its statewide ranking has dropped from 166 to 374 over the past three years, and its SchoolDigger rating has decreased from 3 stars to 2 stars, indicating a concerning trend. Across the district, the schools serve a predominantly white student population, with high rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting significant economic challenges in the community.
Thank you for your feedback!