For the 2026 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 Public Preschools in Dauphin County (2026)
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 Public 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
Recent Articles
Transitioning to High School: A Family Guide
Learn how to prepare for high school with practical tips for families before freshman year, from academics to social readiness.
School Vouchers 2026: Updated Pros and Cons
Explore school vouchers in 2026, including updated pros, cons, policy changes, and what families should know before choosing.
Transitioning to Middle School: Summer Planning Guide
A practical 2026 summer planning guide to help parents support a smooth middle school transition for their child.