Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0State College’s public schools outscore 92% of Pennsylvania districts
On the state math tests, 60% of State College’s students scored proficient, above the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving State College, 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.
State College’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 635 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of State College’s, its schools beat 98%, higher than their 92% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
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 ↓
Three 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
Nittany Valley CS, Our Lady of Victory Catholic School (private), State College Friends School (private), Bennett Family Center (private) and Our Children's Center (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 State College’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 State College, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in State College · depends on your address
Radio Park El Sch
Grades K–5 · 424 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Easterly Parkway El Sch
Grades K–5 · 314 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Corl Street El Sch
Grades K–5 · 250 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in State College · depends on your address
Radio Park El Sch
Grades K–5 · 424 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Easterly Parkway El Sch
Grades K–5 · 314 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Corl Street El Sch
Grades K–5 · 250 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in State College · depends on your address
Radio Park El Sch
Grades K–5 · 424 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Easterly Parkway El Sch
Grades K–5 · 314 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Corl Street El Sch
Grades K–5 · 250 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in State College · depends on your address
Radio Park El Sch
Grades K–5 · 424 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Easterly Parkway El Sch
Grades K–5 · 314 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Corl Street El Sch
Grades K–5 · 250 students · 12:1 students per teacher
4th grade in State College · depends on your address
Radio Park El Sch
Grades K–5 · 424 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Easterly Parkway El Sch
Grades K–5 · 314 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Corl Street El Sch
Grades K–5 · 250 students · 12:1 students per teacher
5th grade in State College · depends on your address
Radio Park El Sch
Grades K–5 · 424 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Easterly Parkway El Sch
Grades K–5 · 314 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Corl Street El Sch
Grades K–5 · 250 students · 12:1 students per teacher
6th grade in State College · depends on your address
Park Forest MS
Grades 6–8 · 822 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Mount Nittany MS
Grades 6–8 · 752 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in State College · depends on your address
Park Forest MS
Grades 6–8 · 822 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Mount Nittany MS
Grades 6–8 · 752 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in State College
State College Area HS
Grades 8–12 · 2,402 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in State College
State College Area HS
Grades 8–12 · 2,402 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in State College
State College Area HS
Grades 8–12 · 2,402 students · 12:1 students per teacher
11th grade in State College
State College Area HS
Grades 8–12 · 2,402 students · 12:1 students per teacher
12th grade in State College
State College Area HS
Grades 8–12 · 2,402 students · 12:1 students per teacher
State College’s public schools are run by State College Area School District, which also serves College, Ferguson, Halfmoon and Harris 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
State College vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share State College’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| State College | A | State College Area |
| College | A | State College Area |
| Ferguson | A | State College Area |
All 2 neighbors share State College Area with State College, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in State College
11 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 State College’s schools
Are State College’s schools good?
By Pennsylvania’s own tests, yes: the public schools State College 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 98%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is State College in?
State College Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 6,799 students in 11 schools (2024–25).
Where do State College kids go to high school?
State College Area HS, with 2,402 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is State College’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 State College 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 State College?
Yes: Our Lady of Victory Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 320 students), State College Friends School (religious, grades PK–8, 107 students), Bennett Family Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 80 students) and Our Children's Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 44 students). State College also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What State College families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near State College → 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.