- Enrollment
- 1,966
- Students per teacher
- 16.1:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Harrisburg, PA
South Side El Sch
Federal NCES profile for South Side El Sch, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 42/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 420540001780
👥 S:T ratio 48
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 40
📋 Attendance 12
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Side El Sch earns 42/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Pennsylvania median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Pennsylvania schools.
- #11 of 22
- elementary schools in Harrisburg · Resource Index
- 42
- Resource Index · Typical
- 13.1:1
- students per teacher
- 99.2%
- free-lunch eligible
South Side El Sch has class sizes near the Pennsylvania median. Computed live against every Pennsylvania school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Side El Sch ranks #11 of 22 elementary schools in Harrisburg, PA.
School address
District: Central Dauphin Sd · Pennsylvania
NCES ID 420540001780 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+22 students YoY
South Side El Sch held near 676 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+22 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 46.3 → 42.3 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+22 students YoY 420540001780 · Harrisburg, PA Elementary · MID · TRAD
603 enr · 13.1:1 · 99.2% lunch · RII 42
Nearest enrollment peer: Central Dauphin Shs (1,966 students)
South Side El Sch held near 676 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+22 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 46.3 → 42.3 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Pennsylvania schools → · Find another →
South Side El Sch in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Central Dauphi
Central Dauphin Shs
1,966 students
- Central Dauphi
Central Dauphin East Shs
1,573 students
- Linglestown Ms
Linglestown Ms
841 students
- Central Dauphi
Central Dauphin Ms
834 students
- North Side El 722
North Side El Sch
722 students
- This school 603
South Side El Sch
603 students
What this shows South Side El Sch reports 603 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Side El Sch compares
South Side El Sch held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Pennsylvania and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.1:1 | ▼ 4% | 13.6:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 99.2% | ▲ 71% | 58.1% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 603 | top 29% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.1:1
Leaner classes than 66% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
603
Bigger than 73% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
99.2%
free-lunch eligible
- 71% above the Pennsylvania average of 58.1%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
13.1:1
students per teacher
- 4% below state mean
Top 46% in Pennsylvania - lower ratio than 54% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
35.3%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$15,380
per pupil, district-wide
- below Pennsylvania avg of $18,725
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors2.0 FTE
Per 302 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
42
in-school suspensions + 58 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 7.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 16.6 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
African American 29.2%
Asian 22.6%
Hispanic or Latino 21.2%
White 13.6%
Two or More 13.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%
Largest group: African American at 29.2% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 78.3/100
Simpson diversity index - at 78.3, South Side El Sch is more mixed than the Pennsylvania school average of 37.3.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Central Dauphin Sd reports $15,380 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Side El Sch Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Dauphin Shs | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Central Dauphin East Shs | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Linglestown Ms | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Central Dauphin Ms | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| North Side El Sch | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Side El Sch's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,573
- Students per teacher
- 15.7:1
- Resource Index
- 27/100
- Enrollment
- 841
- Students per teacher
- 15.3:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
- Enrollment
- 834
- Students per teacher
- 15.7:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 722
- Students per teacher
- 16.8:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
Similar elementary schools in Harrisburg
6 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Thomas W Holtzman Jr El Sch
Standard public school
792 students 18.4:1 students per teacher
Sara Lindemuth El Sch
Standard public school
758 students 16.5:1 students per teacher
North Side El Sch
Standard public school
722 students 16.8:1 students per teacher
Paxtonia El Sch
Standard public school
682 students 17.1:1 students per teacher
West Hanover El Sch
Standard public school
589 students 18.4:1 students per teacher
Melrose Sch
Standard public school
536 students 15.3:1 students per teacher
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~603 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Side El Sch
How many students attend South Side El Sch?
South Side El Sch has 603 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Harrisburg, PA. CCD year-over-year: 654 (2022-23) → 676 (2023-24), nearly flat (+22).
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Side El Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at South Side El Sch is 13.1:1, which is 4% lower than the Pennsylvania average of 13.6:1 and 17% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Side El Sch?
99.2% of students at South Side El Sch are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Pennsylvania average of 58.1%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Side El Sch?
The largest demographic group at South Side El Sch is African American at 29.2% of enrollment, in Harrisburg, PA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 78.3/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Side El Sch?
South Side El Sch has a Resource Investment Index of 42/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South Side El Sch rank among elementary schools in Harrisburg?
By Resource Investment Index, South Side El Sch ranks #11 of 22 elementary schools in Harrisburg, PA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Harrisburg on the city page.
What other schools are in Central Dauphin Sd?
Besides South Side El Sch, Central Dauphin Sd also operates Central Dauphin Shs (1,966 students), Central Dauphin East Shs (1,573 students), and Linglestown Ms (841 students). See the Central Dauphin Sd district page for the complete list.