Needs Improvement
#2714 of 2,842 schools in PA
Altoona Area HS
High School · Altoona Area SD
1404 6th Ave, Altoona, PA 16602
Enrollment
2,246
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
2,246
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
3.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Altoona
#7 of 11
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#614 of 641
In district
#6 of 10
Altoona Area SD
About Altoona Area HS
Altoona Area HS serves 2,246 students in grades 6 through 12 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, making it one of the larger educational institutions in Blair County. With 139 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1, providing reasonable class sizes for this comprehensive public school. The school currently has room for academic growth, ranking in the 10th percentile among Pennsylvania schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10.
This presents opportunities for focused improvement in student outcomes and educational programming as the district works to better serve its diverse student body. Located at 1404 6th Ave, the school draws from a community where the median household income is $51,808 and median home values average $116,100. About 20% of residents in the surrounding area hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 16.9%.
These demographics reflect a working-class community with mixed economic circumstances. The school operates in a small city setting within the broader Altoona area, serving as a central educational hub for families throughout Blair County who seek a comprehensive public education option for their middle and high school students.
What's said publicly about Altoona Area HS
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (3)
What Parents Should Know
Altoona Area HS is a large school with 2,246 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
Score Breakdown
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Altoona Area HS — Students at Altoona Area HS score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.1/10.
How Altoona Area HS Compares
See how Altoona Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 56% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 24.5% (2021).
Location
1404 6th Ave, Altoona, PA 16602
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Altoona Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mowrie A Ebner El Sch (rated 7.1/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GREAT COMMISSION SCHOOLS (rated 7.0/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Penn-Lincoln El Sch (rated 6.9/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Altoona, see our Altoona schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Altoona Area Jr HS Altoona | 0.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center Altoona | 0.2 mi | — |
| Penn-Lincoln El Sch Altoona | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| GREAT COMMISSION SCHOOLS Altoona | 0.2 mi | 7.0 |
| TENDER LOVE FOR CHILDREN CHILD CARE Altoona | 0.4 mi | — |
| BISHOP GUILFOYLE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Altoona | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Irving El Sch Altoona | 1.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Pleasant Valley El Sch Altoona | 1.2 mi | 3.1 |
| HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL-ALTOONA ELMNTRY CMPS Altoona | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Baker El Sch Altoona | 1.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Juniata El Sch Altoona | 1.9 mi | 3.3 |
| HARBOR HOUSE CENTER EARLY ACADEMICS Altoona | 2.1 mi | — |
| Logan El Sch Altoona | 1.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Juniata Gap El Sch Altoona | 2.7 mi | 3.6 |
| SOARING HEIGHTS SCHOOL - MIFFLINTOWN Altoona | 2.9 mi | — |
| SOARING HEIGHTS SCHOOL Altoona | 3.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation CS Altoona | 3.0 mi | 5.8 |
| HOLY TRINITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS Altoona | 2.9 mi | 6.7 |
| MERAKEY EDUCATION CENTER Altoona | 3.2 mi | — |
| Mowrie A Ebner El Sch Altoona | 2.8 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 16602 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,097
Median Home Value
$120,200
Median Rent
$842/mo
Population
27,014
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
67.6%
Avg Commute
18.9 min
Poverty Rate
18.3%
Median Age
41.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Altoona Area HS has a median household income of $53,097. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,200, with a median rent of $842/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Emmaus HS Emmaus, PA | 3.8 |
| Wilkes-Barre Area HS Plains, PA | 3.7 |
| Bucks County Technical High School Fairless Hills, PA | 3.6 |
| Baldwin SHS Pittsburgh, PA | 4.1 |
| Boyertown Area SHS Boyertown, PA | 4.1 |
| Louis E Dieruff HS Allentown, PA | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Altoona Area HS
What grades does Altoona Area HS serve?
Altoona Area HS serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Altoona Area HS?
Altoona Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 2,246 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Altoona Area HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Altoona Area HS is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Altoona Area HS rank in PA?
Altoona Area HS is ranked #2714 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Altoona Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Altoona Area HS has a composite rating of 3.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Altoona Area HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Altoona Area HS has 62.5% math proficiency and 49.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Altoona Area HS a charter school?
No, Altoona Area HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Altoona Area HS a Title I school?
No, Altoona Area HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Altoona Area HS?
99.9% of students at Altoona Area HS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Altoona). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,246
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 139
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Blair County
- Phone
- (814) 940-6986
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Altoona Area SD- District Enrollment
- 7,019
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,958
- District Rank
- #6 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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