Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Altoona’s public schools score below 71% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Altoona, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Pennsylvania, not nationally.
From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Altoona’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1031 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Altoona’s, its schools beat 16%, lower than their 29% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 50% of tested students were proficient in reading and 32% in math, against 55% and 36% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,760 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then two middle schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School (private), Holy Trinity Catholic School-Altoona Elmntry CMPS (private), Great Commission Schools (private), Holy Trinity Catholic School Eldorado (private), Soaring Heights School (private), Tender Love for Children Child Care (private), Arrows Christian Academy (private), Harbor House Preschool and Kindergarten LLC. (private) and Faith Tabernacle School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Altoona’s grade
C: better than 29% of Pennsylvania school districts, #902 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Both inputs trail the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Altoona, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Altoona · depends on your address
Altoona Area HS
Grades 6–12 · 2,255 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Altoona Area Jr HS
Grades 6–8 · 1,578 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Altoona · depends on your address
Altoona Area HS
Grades 6–12 · 2,255 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Altoona Area Jr HS
Grades 6–8 · 1,578 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Altoona · depends on your address
Altoona Area HS
Grades 6–12 · 2,255 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Altoona Area Jr HS
Grades 6–8 · 1,578 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Altoona
Altoona Area HS
Grades 6–12 · 2,255 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Altoona
Altoona Area HS
Grades 6–12 · 2,255 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Altoona
Altoona Area HS
Grades 6–12 · 2,255 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Altoona
Altoona Area HS
Grades 6–12 · 2,255 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Altoona’s public schools are run by Altoona Area School District, which also serves Logan and Tyrone. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Altoona vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Altoona’s borders.
Every school in Altoona
16 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Pennsylvania’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Kimmel Alternative School).
Questions about Altoona’s schools
Are Altoona’s schools good?
On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Altoona children attend score below 71% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #902 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 16%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Altoona in?
Altoona Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 6,852 students in 10 schools (2024–25).
What is Altoona’s graduation rate?
82% of the class of 2023 in Altoona Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.
How much does Altoona spend per student?
$15,760 in Altoona Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Altoona?
Yes: Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 6–12, 372 students), Holy Trinity Catholic School-Altoona Elmntry CMPS (Catholic, grades PK–5, 152 students), Great Commission Schools (religious, grades K–12, 137 students), Holy Trinity Catholic School Eldorado (Catholic, grades PK–5, 125 students), Soaring Heights School (special education, grades 1–12, 88 students), Tender Love for Children Child Care (religious, grades PK–K, 59 students), Arrows Christian Academy (religious, grades K–8, 47 students), Harbor House Preschool and Kindergarten LLC. (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 37 students) and Faith Tabernacle School (religious, grades 1–8, 9 students).
Parents talk
What Altoona families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Altoona → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Pennsylvania. Stars are from neighbors.