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#1925 of 2,842 schools in PA

Bellefonte Area HS

High School · Bellefonte Area SD

830 E Bishop St, Bellefonte, PA 16823

Enrollment

844

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

5.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bellefonte

#5 of 5

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#395 of 641

In district

#6 of 6

Bellefonte Area SD

Academic performance

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Bellefonte Area HS

Bellefonte Area High School serves grades 9 through 12 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, a town on the fringe of an urban area in Centre County. The school enrolls 844 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.4 to 1, with 63 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's academic performance reflects solid fundamentals.

Bellefonte Area HS ranks in the 68th percentile statewide, placing it at #910 among Pennsylvania's 2,852 schools. In math, 64 percent of students score at proficient levels or above, while 59 percent meet proficiency benchmarks in ELA and reading. The school's overall academic score of 8.5 out of 10 demonstrates measurable strengths in core subjects, though there's room for continued growth in reading proficiency.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10, Bellefonte Area HS represents a mid-range option for high school students in the region. The reasonable class sizes and dedicated teaching staff create conditions for personalized attention. The school's location in a town setting on the edge of urban development offers students access to both small-community feel and proximity to larger regional resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg+30 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.1Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,752

Bellefonte Area HS — Students at Bellefonte Area HS score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 64.2%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 58.6%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 5 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
72%
2024
Math
53.6%
ELA
50.2%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Bellefonte Area HS Compares

See how Bellefonte Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
32th percentile in PA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
63 teachers

Location

830 E Bishop St, Bellefonte, PA 16823

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bellefonte Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST JOSEPHS CATHOLIC ACADEMY (rated 7.7/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Boalsburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is MEADOWS SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Centre Hall), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bald Eagle Area MS/SHS (rated 4.9/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Wingate), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bellefonte, see our Bellefonte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Bellefonte Area MS Bellefonte 0.0 mi 6.7
CENTRE COUNTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bellefonte 0.6 mi 7.3
Bellefonte El Sch Bellefonte 1.0 mi 7.9
Central PA Institute of Science and Technology Pleasant Gap 2.4 mi
Pleasant Gap El Sch Pleasant Gap 3.4 mi 8.1
Benner El Sch Bellefonte 2.9 mi 8.4
Bald Eagle Area MS/SHS Wingate 3.1 mi 4.9
Wingate El Sch Wingate 3.1 mi 5.8
Centre Hall-Potter El Sch Centre Hall 6.1 mi 8.5
Spring Creek El Sch State College 6.9 mi 7.5
MEADOWS SCHOOL Centre Hall 7.5 mi 5.5
ST JOSEPHS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Boalsburg 9.0 mi 7.7
MERAKEY EDUCATION AND AUTISM CENTER State College 7.7 mi
WINDY POPLARS SCHOOL Spring Mills 7.5 mi
Mount Nittany MS State College 9.1 mi 8.3
Mount Nittany El Sch State College 9.2 mi 8.7
SOARING HEIGHTS SCHOOL State College 9.4 mi
BENNETT FAMILY CENTER University Park 9.1 mi
Howard El Sch Howard 8.9 mi 7.1
SUNSET VIEW SCHOOL Howard 8.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16823 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,717

Median Home Value

$258,100

Median Rent

$1,013/mo

Population

29,168

College Educated

28.5%

Homeownership

70.8%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

44.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bellefonte Area HS has a median household income of $75,717. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $258,100, with a median rent of $1,013/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
ARCHBISHOP WOOD HIGH SCHOOL Warminster, PA 5.6
Blackhawk HS Beaver Falls, PA 5.6
Cocalico SHS Denver, PA 5.6
Eastern Lebanon Co SHS Myerstown, PA 5.6
Furness Horace HS Philadelphia, PA 5.6
Highlands SHS Natrona Heights, PA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bellefonte Area HS

What grades does Bellefonte Area HS serve?

Bellefonte Area HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bellefonte Area HS?

Bellefonte Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 844 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bellefonte Area HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Bellefonte Area HS is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bellefonte Area HS rank in PA?

Bellefonte Area HS is ranked #1925 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Bellefonte Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Bellefonte Area HS has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Bellefonte Area HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bellefonte Area HS has 64.2% math proficiency and 58.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bellefonte Area HS a charter school?

No, Bellefonte Area HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bellefonte Area HS a Title I school?

No, Bellefonte Area HS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bellefonte Area HS?

30.5% of students at Bellefonte 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
844
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
63
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Centre County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bellefonte Area SD
District Enrollment
2,585
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,274
District Rank
#6 of 6

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 methodology

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