Best Schools in Altoona, Pennsylvania
22 schools · 11 Elementary · 3 Middle · 3 High · 5 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.2/10
- 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
#357 of 408
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.1
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 5.2 out of 10, schools in Altoona show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Altoona is Mowrie a Ebner 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 | 386 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.1 | ||
| 2 | 353 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 | ||
| 3 | 271 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.3 | ||
| 4 | 270 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.9 | ||
| 5 | 438 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.7 | ||
| 6 | 523 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.6 | ||
| 7 | 452 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.3 | ||
| 8 | 466 students · Kindergarten–5th | 3.1 | ||
| 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 | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 6 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 5 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,614 students · 6th–8th | 6.3 | ||
| 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 | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | SHADY POND SCHOOL
Private
25 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,246 students · 6th–12th | 3.8 | ||
| 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 | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 193 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 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 | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | SOARING HEIGHTS SCHOOL
Private
49 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | MERAKEY EDUCATION CENTER
Private
22 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 24 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
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.
Quick Facts
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Total Schools
- 22
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 3
- Districts
- 3
- Avg Rating
- 5.2/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Pennsylvania
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently 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 5.2 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Altoona, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Altoona on MySchoolScout is Mowrie a Ebner 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 Mowrie a Ebner 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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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.