Best Schools in Altoona, Pennsylvania
22 schools · 11 Elementary · 3 Middle · 3 High · 5 Other
Choosing a school in Altoona?
Use this page to compare every school in Altoona by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Baker EL Sch
Elementary · Altoona Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Great Commission Schools
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Irving EL Sch
Elementary · Altoona Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Altoona for 2026 are Baker EL Sch (7.1/10), Great Commission Schools (7.0/10), and Irving EL Sch (6.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 16 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
22
12 public · 10 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$129,550
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
22
12 public · 10 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$129,550
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +12.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Altoona schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Altoona
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (16 of 22). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baker EL Sch | 7.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Great Commission Schools | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Irving EL Sch | 6.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Holy Trinity Middle School Campus | 6.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Penn-lincoln EL Sch | 6.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Soaring Heights School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Juniata Gap EL Sch | 5.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Holy Trinity Catholic School-altoona Elmntry Cmps | 5.6 / 10 |
| 10 | Altoona Area HS | 5.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $54,301
- Median home value
- $129,550
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
13% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Altoona compares
Pennsylvania rank
#336 of 408
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.7
below Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$54k
68% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
16
About Schools in Altoona, Pennsylvania
Altoona, Pennsylvania is home to 22 schools, including 12 public schools and 10 private schools. The city's schools span 11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Altoona show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Altoona is Baker EL Sch with a composite score of 7.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Altoona is served by 3 school districts: Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation CS, Altoona Area SD, Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center. These districts collectively serve 7,259 students.
Altoona's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $54,301. The poverty rate in the area is 17.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 270 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 | ||
| 2 | 271 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 3 | 353 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.1 | ||
| 4 | 523 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.6 | ||
| 5 | 438 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.9 | ||
| 6 | 386 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.6 | ||
| 7 | 452 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.7 | ||
| 8 | 466 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.6 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 109 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.6 | ||
| 2 | 6 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
Show all 11 elementary schools in Altoona
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,614 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 126 students · 5th–8th | 6.7 | ||
| 2 | Shady Pond School
Private
25 students · 1st–8th | — | ||
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,246 students · 6th–12th | 5.1 | ||
| 2 | 47 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 307 students · 6th–12th | 6.2 | ||
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 193 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.7 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Great Commission Schools
Private
131 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 2 | Soaring Heights School
Private
49 students · 1st–12th | 5.9 | ||
| 3 | Merakey Education Center
Private
22 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| 4 | 24 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
Schools in Altoona
Altoona, Pennsylvania · 22 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$54,301
Median Home Value
$129,550
Median Rent
$816/mo
Population
60,440
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
17.0%
Community Profile
Altoona has a median household income of $54,301. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $129,550, with a median rent of $816/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 3
- Other
- 5
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Pennsylvania
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Altoona, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
Altoona has 22 schools, including 12 public and 10 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Altoona is 5.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Altoona on MySchoolScout is Baker EL Sch with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in Altoona on MySchoolScout is Baker EL Sch with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked middle school in Altoona on MySchoolScout is Holy Trinity Middle School Campus with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best high school in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked high school in Altoona on MySchoolScout is Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School with a composite score of 6.2/10.
How many school districts serve Altoona, Pennsylvania?
Altoona is served by 3 school districts: Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation Cs, Altoona Area Sd, Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center.
What is the education level in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Altoona have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in Altoona is approximately $54,301 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
Yes, Altoona has 10 private schools alongside 12 public schools. The top-rated private school is Great Commission Schools with a score of 7.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Altoona is 10.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.