Photo: Clint · CC BY-SA 2.0Harris Township’s public schools outscore 92% of Pennsylvania districts
On the state math tests, 60% of Harris Township’s students scored proficient, above the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Harris Township, 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 91% 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.
Harris Township’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 76% and math 60% in spring 2022, against 55% and 36% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $24,249 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Josephs Catholic Academy (private) is 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 Harris Township’s grade
A: better than 92% of Pennsylvania school districts, #108 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Harris Township, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Harris Township · depends on your address
Park Forest MS
Grades 6–8 · 822 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in State College
Mount Nittany MS
Grades 6–8 · 752 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in State College
7th grade in Harris Township · depends on your address
Park Forest MS
Grades 6–8 · 822 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in State College
Mount Nittany MS
Grades 6–8 · 752 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in State College
8th grade in Harris Township · depends on your address
State College Area HS
Grades 8–12 · 2,402 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in State College
Park Forest MS
Grades 6–8 · 822 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in State College
Mount Nittany MS
Grades 6–8 · 752 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in State College
9th grade in Harris Township
State College Area HS
Grades 8–12 · 2,402 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in State College
10th grade in Harris Township
State College Area HS
Grades 8–12 · 2,402 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in State College
11th grade in Harris Township
State College Area HS
Grades 8–12 · 2,402 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in State College
12th grade in Harris Township
State College Area HS
Grades 8–12 · 2,402 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in State College
Harris Township’s public schools are run by State College Area School District, which also serves College, Ferguson, Halfmoon and Patton 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.
Well above the state in reading
Harris Township vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Harris Township’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Harris Township | A | State College Area |
| College | A | State College Area |
| Jackson | — | Huntingdon Area |
| Potter | A− | Penns Valley Area |
| Ferguson | A | State College Area |
| Benner | B+ | Bellefonte Area |
2 of the 5 neighbors share State College Area with Harris Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Harris Township
12 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).
Questions about Harris Township’s schools
Are Harris Township’s schools good?
By Pennsylvania’s own tests, yes: the public schools Harris Township children attend outscore 92% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #108 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 92%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Harris Township in?
State College Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 6,799 students in 11 schools (2024–25).
Where do Harris Township kids go to high school?
State College Area HS in State College, with 2,402 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Harris Township’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in State College Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.
How much does Harris Township spend per student?
$24,249 in State College Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Harris Township?
Yes: St. Josephs Catholic Academy (Catholic, grades 9–12, 117 students).
Parents talk
What Harris Township families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Harris Township → 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.