For the 2025 school year, there are 5 public preschools serving 2,401 students in Dauphin County, PA.
The top ranked public preschools in Dauphin County, PA are Halifax Area Elementary School, Upper Dauphin Area Elementary School and Benjamin Franklin School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dauphin County, PA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the Pennsylvania public pre school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 38% statewide average). Pre schools in Dauphin County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Pennsylvania public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the Pennsylvania public preschool average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Dauphin County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Halifax Area Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
151 School Rd
Halifax, PA 17032
(717) 896-3416
Halifax, PA 17032
(717) 896-3416
Grades: PK-4
| 352 students
Rank: #22.
Upper Dauphin Area Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5668 State Route 209
Lykens, PA 17048
(717) 362-4511
Lykens, PA 17048
(717) 362-4511
Grades: PK-4
| 392 students
Rank: #33.
Benjamin Franklin School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1205 N 6th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-1200
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-1200
Grades: PK-5
| 740 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Downey School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1313 Monroe St
Harrisburg, PA 17103
(717) 703-1240
Harrisburg, PA 17103
(717) 703-1240
Grades: PK-5
| 406 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Foose School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1301 Sycamore St
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-1280
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-1280
Grades: PK-5
| 511 students
Dauphin County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
2915 North Third St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-0400
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-0400
Grades: 4-12
| n/a students
1201 North Progress Ave
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717) 657-5122
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717) 657-5122
Grades: K
| n/a students
1206 N 6th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 703-1201
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 703-1201
Grades: PK-8
| 304 students
2900 North 6th St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-4200
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-4200
Grades: PK-8
| 683 students
2915 North Third St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-4350
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-4350
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Catherine & Roosevelt
Middletown, PA 17057
(717) 948-3360
Middletown, PA 17057
(717) 948-3360
Grades: K-3
| 396 students
791 Enders Road
Halifax, PA 17032
(717) 896-3416
Halifax, PA 17032
(717) 896-3416
Grades: PK-1
| 160 students
1524 Pine Tree Ave
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 469-0618
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 469-0618
Grades: K-6
| 232 students
1701 North 6th St
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 703-1320
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 703-1320
Grades: K-8
| 382 students
1842 Derry St
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-4500
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-4500
Grades: K-8
| 700 students
301 Hale Ave
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-1400
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-1400
Grades: PK-8
| 461 students
Penn Data Sp Ed Enrollments A (Closed 2008)
Special Education School
333 Market Street, 14th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126
(717) 778-2644
Harrisburg, PA 17126
(717) 778-2644
Grades: PK-12
| 7,270 students
Penn Data Sp Ed Enrollments B (Closed 2008)
Special Education School
333 Market Street, 14th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126
(717) 778-2644
Harrisburg, PA 17126
(717) 778-2644
Grades: K-12
| 7,257 students
3219 Green St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-1480
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-1480
Grades: 2-8
| 108 students
Ronald H Brown Charter School (Closed 2007)
Charter School
279 Boas Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 232-7696
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 232-7696
Grades: K-8
| 364 students
Shimmell School (Closed 2011)
Special Education School
548 South 17th St
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-1520
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-1520
Grades: 2-12
| n/a students
2537 North 5th St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-1560
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-1560
Grades: PK-6
| n/a students
2915 N 3rd St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-0400
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-0400
Grades: 4-12
| 870 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Dauphin County, PA?
The top ranked public preschools in Dauphin County, PA include Halifax Area Elementary School, Upper Dauphin Area Elementary School and Benjamin Franklin School.
How many public preschools are located in Dauphin County?
5 public preschools are located in Dauphin County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dauphin County?
Dauphin County public preschools minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the Pennsylvania public preschools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Dauphin County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Dauphin County include: Downey School vs. Benjamin Franklin School, Upper Dauphin Area Elementary School vs. Benjamin Franklin School
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