For the 2026-27 school year, there are 3 public preschools serving 1,605 students in Harrisburg, PA.
The top-ranked public preschools in Harrisburg, PA are Benjamin Franklin School, Downey School and Foose School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Harrisburg, PA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 5% (versus the Pennsylvania public pre school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 10% (versus the 38% statewide average). Pre schools in Harrisburg have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Pennsylvania public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Pennsylvania public preschool average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Harrisburg, PA (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 678 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #22.
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 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #33.
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 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 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
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 Harrisburg, PA?
The top-ranked public preschools in Harrisburg, PA include Benjamin Franklin School, Downey School and Foose School.
How many public preschools are located in Harrisburg?
3 public preschools are located in Harrisburg.
What is the racial composition of students in Harrisburg?
Harrisburg public preschools minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Pennsylvania public preschools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Harrisburg are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Harrisburg include: Downey School vs. Benjamin Franklin School, Benjamin Franklin School vs. Downey School
Recent Articles
Is Your Child's School Day Too Structured?
Discover where free time disappears during your child's school day, how to evaluate lunch, recess, and classroom schedules, and what parents can do when breaks become structured activities.
When Your Child's Best Friend Is in Another Class
Discover how to help your child when their best friend is assigned to another classroom, including school placement policies, maintaining friendships, building connections, and knowing when to request help.
Should Your Child Repeat a Grade or Move Ahead?
Before agreeing to grade retention, learn what evidence to request, how to review school policies, explore alternatives, understand parental rights, and secure an effective academic support plan for your child.