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GreatSchools Rating

South Side Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 608 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
No new ratings

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4 reviews of this school


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Posted April 29, 2011

Fighting is an issue. Apparently some students are permitted to punch other kids without getting into much trouble at all. The majority of the children are very disrespectful towards the teachers and other students. That all starts at home...but the teachers/principal do not correct the out of control behavior. Also the kids don't get enough homework because most won't do it. So the good kids who want to learn will not be prepared for middle school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 21, 2006

Since starting at South Side in 2005, I have seen how much my three daughters have grown academically and socially because of the academic and social environment provided by the administration and teachers. The school has an excellent Learning Support staff that really works along with parent's to ensure student's in need of learning support receive a high quality education. Teachers are easily accessible via telephone and email and respond promptly. The principal genuinely cares about the students, has an open door policy and is available for conferences whenever parent's feel they are warranted. The PTA provides wonderful extracurricular activities for the students and works hard to ensure that the they have a lot of fun activities in which to participate. The diversity is wonderful. Like all schools, South Side has it share of problems but the staff works hard to address them. The problems are minimal compared to the successes!
—Submitted by Patrea Womack, a parent


Posted April 27, 2005

this school does not try its best to help children with adhd. and learning problems. 504 plans are a joke. no child left behind is the law. they want my child behind less hassle for them. if your child has any of these problem find another schools. parents in this area have said the same thing so theres more then one of us.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 8, 2005

My son entered kindergarden this year at South Side Elem. and I was leary of the school because I always heard bad things about the school. Since he's been there he has learned a lot and he has a great teacher. He was 'Student of The Week' in October and we were very proud of him. I would contribute all his accomplishments to having a teacher that really cares and one that he really likes. I have changed my opinion of the school and would say that they have a good place for students to come and learn.
—Submitted by Anita Groft, a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 80% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
61%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 74% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
61%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in math and reading, in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 11 in science. The results for reading, writing, science and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The PSSA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Pennsylvania. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Pennsylvania's state standards

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 83% in 2012.

101 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
76%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
76%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 72% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
55%

2010

 
 
65%

2009

 
 
60%
Science

The state average for Science was 82% in 2012.

105 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
64%

2010

 
 
53%

2009

 
 
63%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in math and reading, in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 11 in science. The results for reading, writing, science and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The PSSA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Pennsylvania. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Pennsylvania's state standards

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 73% in 2012.

75 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
72%

2009

 
 
67%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 65% in 2012.

75 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
47%

2011

 
 
52%

2010

 
 
55%

2009

 
 
60%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 64% in 2012.

80 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
35%

2011

 
 
37%

2010

 
 
52%

2009

 
 
31%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in math and reading, in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 11 in science. The results for reading, writing, science and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The PSSA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Pennsylvania. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Pennsylvania's state standards

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Math

All Students77%
Female73%
Male81%
Black68%
Asiann/a
Hispanic87%
Multi-ethnic77%
White83%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Students with disabilities (IEP)n/a
English language learnersn/a

Reading

All Students67%
Female73%
Male61%
Black60%
Asiann/a
Hispanic87%
Multi-ethnic54%
White70%
Economically disadvantaged62%
Students with disabilities (IEP)n/a
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in math and reading, in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 11 in science. The results for reading, writing, science and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The PSSA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Pennsylvania. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Pennsylvania's state standards

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Math

All Students76%
Female73%
Male79%
Black69%
Asiann/a
Hispanic93%
Multi-ethnicn/a
White71%
Economically disadvantaged75%
Students with disabilities (IEP)n/a
English language learnersn/a

Reading

All Students64%
Female59%
Male68%
Black51%
Asiann/a
Hispanic93%
Multi-ethnicn/a
White60%
Economically disadvantaged61%
Students with disabilities (IEP)n/a
English language learnersn/a

Science

All Students67%
Female54%
Male76%
Black51%
Asiann/a
Hispanic87%
Multi-ethnicn/a
White71%
Economically disadvantaged61%
Students with disabilities (IEP)n/a
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in math and reading, in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 11 in science. The results for reading, writing, science and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The PSSA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Pennsylvania. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Pennsylvania's state standards

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Math

All Students68%
Female61%
Male74%
Black63%
Asiann/a
Hispanic62%
Multi-ethnicn/a
White82%
Economically disadvantaged66%
Students with disabilities (IEP)n/a
English language learnersn/a

Reading

All Students47%
Female49%
Male45%
Black41%
Asiann/a
Hispanic39%
Multi-ethnicn/a
White65%
Economically disadvantaged44%
Students with disabilities (IEP)n/a
English language learnersn/a

Writing

All Students35%
Female43%
Male29%
Black35%
Asiann/a
Hispanic46%
Multi-ethnic36%
White32%
Economically disadvantaged36%
Students with disabilities (IEP)n/a
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in math and reading, in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 11 in science. The results for reading, writing, science and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The PSSA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Pennsylvania. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Pennsylvania's state standards

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Black 42% 16%
White 41% 73%
Hispanic 12% 7%
Asian/Pacific Islander 5% 3%
American Indian/Alaska Native 1% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Attendance

  This school District averageState average
Attendance rate 95%N/A95%
Source: PA Dept. of Education, 2004-2005

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 13N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

4525 Union Deposit Rd
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: (717) 657-3204

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