For the 2025-26 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 16% (versus the Pennsylvania public pre school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 38% statewide average). Pre schools in Dauphin County have an average ranking of 1/10, 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 ÎÛÎÛÂþ» Preschools in Dauphin County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Halifax Area Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
151 School Rd
Halifax, PA 17032
(717) 896-3416
Halifax, PA 17032
(717) 896-3416
Gr: PK-4 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Upper Dauphin Area Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | 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
Gr: PK-4 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Benjamin Franklin School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1205 N 6th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-1200
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-1200
Gr: PK-5 | 740 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #44.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #55.
Foose School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1301 Sycamore St
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-1280
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-1280
Gr: PK-5 | 511 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Dauphin County ÎÛÎÛÂþ» Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
2915 North Third St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-0400
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-0400
Gr: 4-12
1201 North Progress Ave
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717) 657-5122
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717) 657-5122
Gr: K
1206 N 6th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 703-1201
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 703-1201
Gr: PK-8 | 304 students Minority enrollment: 93%
2900 North 6th St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-4200
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-4200
Gr: PK-8 | 683 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
2915 North Third St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-4350
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-4350
Gr: 9-12
Catherine & Roosevelt
Middletown, PA 17057
(717) 948-3360
Middletown, PA 17057
(717) 948-3360
Gr: K-3 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
791 Enders Road
Halifax, PA 17032
(717) 896-3416
Halifax, PA 17032
(717) 896-3416
Gr: PK-1 | 160 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
1524 Pine Tree Ave
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 469-0618
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 469-0618
Gr: K-6 | 232 students Minority enrollment: 6%
1701 North 6th St
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 703-1320
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 703-1320
Gr: K-8 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
1842 Derry St
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-4500
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-4500
Gr: K-8 | 700 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
301 Hale Ave
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-1400
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-1400
Gr: PK-8 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
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
Gr: PK-12 | 7,270 students Minority enrollment: 23%
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
Gr: K-12 | 7,257 students Minority enrollment: 23%
3219 Green St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-1480
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-1480
Gr: 2-8 | 108 students Minority enrollment: 87%
Ronald H Brown Charter School (Closed 2007)
Charter School
279 Boas Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 232-7696
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 232-7696
Gr: K-8 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Shimmell School (Closed 2011)
Special Education School
548 South 17th St
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-1520
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 703-1520
Gr: 2-12
2915 N 3rd St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-0400
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 703-0400
Gr: 4-12 | 870 students Minority enrollment: 95%
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, Benjamin Franklin School vs. Downey School
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