CDHS Profile

Central Dauphin School District is located northeast of the city of Harrisburg in a suburban setting. It encompasses an area of 118 square miles and is comprised of four townships; Lower Paxton, Middle Paxton, Swatara, West Hanover, and three municipalities; Dauphin, Paxtang, and Penbrook. The approximate population for the community is 95,000 with a current student population of approximately 12,000. The students attend one of 13 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 2 senior high schools. Students are transported from urban, suburban, and rural areas. The District is comprised of students from diverse social and economic backgrounds.

Central Dauphin High School, established in 1955, is a four-year comprehensive public high school with an enrollment of 2,007 students.

Central Dauphin School District utilizes a weighted grading system determined by a specific course level. Advanced Placement and College in the High School courses are Level III and are given a weight of 1.08. Advanced/Honors courses that are considered the most difficult of the College Preparatory Curriculum are Level II and are given a weight of 1.04. All other courses are Level I and are given a weight of 1.0.

Cooperative Education - Seniors who have met the necessary credit requirements may participate in this program of half day school, half day work or half day school, half day internship.

Vocational Education - Central Dauphin School District is a member of and provides the largest student enrollment to the Dauphin County Technical School, which is a full day program.

Gifted Education - Identified students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate in enrichment activities as part of any course selected.

Dual Enrollment - Seniors, who have met the necessary requirements, have the option to participate in the dual enrollment program through Harrisburg Area Community College or Harrisburg University.

Four Year College: 65%

Two Year College/Technical/Trade:  13%

Military: 4%

Post-Secondary totals:  82%

Work/Other:  18%

Colleges and Universities accepting Central Dauphin High School Students: Class of 2023

Albright College, American University, Anna Maria College, Arizona State University, Belhaven University, Bloomsburg University, Brooklyn College, Bucknell University, Carnegie Mellon University, Central Penn College, Clarion University, Clemson University, Coastal Carolina University, College of the Holy Cross, Community College of Beaver County, Delaware Valley University, DeSales University, Dickenson College, Drexel University, Duquesne University, East Carolina University, East Stroudsburg University, Eastern University, Elizabethtown College, Emerson College, Florida Gulf Coast University, Frederick Community College, Georgetown University, Georgia Southern University, Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, High Point University, Howard University, Hudson Valley Community College, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, John Cabot University, Judson University, Juniata College, Kutztown University, Lafayette College, Lebanon Valley College, Liberty University, Lock Haven University, Mansfield University, McDaniel College, Messiah University, Michigan State University, Millersville University, Misericordia University, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Northeastern University, Ohio University, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, Radford University, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Robert Morris University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Francis University, Saint Joseph’s University, Shippensburg University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Susquehanna University, Temple University, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, The Citadel, Towson University, Universal Technology Institute, University of Alabama, University of Delaware, University of Florida, University of Kentucky, University of Miami, University of Michigan, University of Missouri, University of Mount Olive, University of Nebraska, University of New Haven, University of Pittsburgh, University of South Carolina, University of Southern California, University of Tampa, University of Tennessee, UPMS Shadyside School of Nursing, Villanova University, Virginia Tech, Washington & Jefferson College, West Chester University, West Virginia University, Wilkes University, York College of Pennsylvania

*Due to COVID-19, Central Dauphin High School operated under a hybrid (combination of online and in person) and remote learning instructional models which was dependent on the number of COVID cases throughout the 2020-2021 school year. If requested, students were permitted to complete all of their coursework remotely. Throughout Marking Periods 1-3, the lowest grade a student received was a 50% for full year courses. For half year courses, the lowest grade a student received for the first marking period of the course was a 50%. During the 4th marking period of the 2019-2020 school year, due to COVID-19, Central Dauphin High School completed the year utilizing an online instructional model only. During this time, final grades included marking periods 1 through 3 only.