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Bedford pitt streetPhoto: Photo by User:AudeVivere. · CC BY-SA 2.5
A−
Schools in Bedford · Bedford Area School District

Bedford’s public schools outscore 82% of Pennsylvania districts

On the state math tests, 43% of Bedford’s students scored proficient, above the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Bedford, 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.

#260of 1,037 Pennsylvania townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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.

Reading proficiency
63%
▲ 8 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
43%
▲ 7 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 8–12 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.7K
▼ 23% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.3
PA 13.4 · larger classes
Schools in town
2
1,673 students on the public path
In brief

Bedford’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 383 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bedford’s, its schools beat 91%, higher than their 82% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 63% and math 43% in spring 2022, against 55% and 36% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $16,698 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Bedford MS, then Bedford SHS. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Bedford’s grade

B+ Test scoresA− Graduation

A−: better than 82% of Pennsylvania school districts, #260 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Pennsylvania average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 82%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (383)Better than 91%
B+AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 864 test results and a graduating class of 141 could put Bedford anywhere from B+ to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Bedford’s students in the tested grades sat them (825 in math, 902 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bedford, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5Bedford El SchBedford Area School DistrictB+
6–8Bedford MSBedford Area School DistrictB−
9–12Bedford SHSBedford Area School DistrictA

Bedford’s public schools are run by Bedford Area School District, which also serves Bedford, Colerain, Cumberland Valley and Harrison and others. 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.

Bedford Area School DistrictGrades K–12 · 3 schools · 1,673 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 14.3 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$16,698PA $21,758 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading63%
State average 55.1% · 902 students tested
Math43%
State average 36.1% · 825 students tested

Bedford vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Bedford’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BedfordA−Bedford Area

Every school in Bedford

3 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).

District schools in Bedfordby address
Bedford MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
414 students14:1Rate it →
Bedford SHS
High · Grades 9–12
A
495 students12:1Rate it →
Also serving Bedfordin other towns
Bedford El Sch
Elementary · Grades K–5
B+
764 students16:1Rate it →

Questions about Bedford’s schools

Are Bedford’s schools good?

By Pennsylvania’s own tests, yes: the public schools Bedford children attend outscore 82% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #260 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 91%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Bedford in?

Bedford Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 1,673 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Bedford kids go to high school?

Bedford SHS, with 495 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Bedford’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Bedford Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does Bedford spend per student?

$16,698 in Bedford Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Bedford families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bedford → 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.