The top reported proficiency rate is 16% in English language arts. The lowest is 2% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Marshall Academy
Marshall Academy serves a small cohort of students in grades five through eight in Harrisburg. The school sits within a district that has just exited state receivership and is undergoing significant structural changes, including a reconfiguration of middle-grade schooling that will reshape where students attend and how enrollment is allocated across buildings.
The academic results reported for the most recent school year are very low. On the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, the school's proficiency rate in English language arts was in the low double digits, while math proficiency was substantially lower still. Science assessment data were suppressed due to small tested numbers. Against the comparison set of districts in Dauphin County, Marshall Academy's overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. These numbers reflect what the broader district has publicly acknowledged: that math and literacy skill gaps are persistent district-wide challenges that leadership is working to address through new corrective reading initiatives at the elementary level and expanded post-secondary preparation at the high school. A parent reviewing this school should understand that academic support is a significant focus for the district right now, and results at Marshall have not yet reflected measurable improvement.
The student population is small, with roughly an even split between Black and Hispanic students and very few white or Asian students. The school serves an economically disadvantaged population; all students reported qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school's enrollment has been small and stable across the four grades served.
Harrisburg itself is a state capital with a walkable downtown core anchored by government institutions, civic life, riverfront parks, and growing arts and restaurant scenes. The city's housing market is described as a seller's market with limited inventory; median home values in the zip code are below both the county and state averages, and median rents are relatively affordable. The broader regional economy is anchored by state government employment and diversified with health care, technology, and national corporate operations.
The district is in transition. In June 2025, Harrisburg City Schools exited state receivership after years of external control, with the elected school board resuming full governance. The district enters a five-year monitoring phase with continued state advisory presence. At the same time, a major reconfiguration approved in 2024 has redirected middle schoolers to either Camp Curtin Academy or Marshall Math Science Academy, and the district is now moving toward consolidating middle-grade offerings. Marshall Academy is expected to be closed as part of this realignment, with students redirected to Camp Curtin. A parent considering Marshall should be aware that the school's future is unsettled and that enrollment will be reassigned. Additionally, the district approved its first property tax increase in years for 2025-26 and has signaled that further annual increases are likely, signaling ongoing fiscal pressure for families in the community.
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