Average
#1180 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 42% in state
Bellefonte Area MS
Middle School · Bellefonte Area SD
100 N School St, Bellefonte, PA 16823
Enrollment
617
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
617
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bellefonte
#4 of 5
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#198 of 514
In district
#5 of 6
Bellefonte Area SD
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Bellefonte Area MS
Bellefonte Area MS is a middle school located in the heart of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, situated on North School Street. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 617 students with a supportive student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1. With 48 full-time equivalent teachers, Bellefonte Area MS aims to provide a nurturing environment that encourages learning and personal growth.
Academically, the school's performance is at the 48th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.4 out of 10. In English Language Arts (ELA), 57% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 39% meet proficiency standards. The school offers a range of programs and resources to help students reach their full potential, with room for academic growth.
Bellefonte Area MS is part of the community's fabric, located on the edge between an urban area and a small town setting, making it a central hub for local families. With its focus on student development and community engagement, Bellefonte Area MS serves as an integral part of the Bellefonte neighborhood.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bellefonte Area MS — Students at Bellefonte Area MS score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Bellefonte Area MS Compares
See how Bellefonte Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 39% (2019) to 41% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 56.5% (2024).
Location
100 N School St, Bellefonte, PA 16823
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bellefonte Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mount Nittany El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby State College), which scores notably higher. Another option is Centre Hall-Potter El Sch (rated 8.5/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Centre Hall), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Benner El Sch (rated 8.4/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bellefonte, see our Bellefonte schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bellefonte Area HS Bellefonte | 0.0 mi | 5.6 |
| 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 MS 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 |
|---|---|
| Fleetwood MS Fleetwood, PA | 6.7 |
| Lincoln MS Lancaster, PA | 6.7 |
| Linglestown MS Harrisburg, PA | 6.7 |
| Nazareth Area Intermediate Sch Nazareth, PA | 6.7 |
| Southern MS Glen Rock, PA | 6.7 |
| Central Columbia MS Bloomsburg, PA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bellefonte Area MS
What grades does Bellefonte Area MS serve?
Bellefonte Area MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Bellefonte Area MS?
Bellefonte Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 617 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bellefonte Area MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Bellefonte Area MS is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bellefonte Area MS rank in PA?
Bellefonte Area MS is ranked #1180 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Bellefonte Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Bellefonte Area MS has a composite rating of 6.7 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 MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bellefonte Area MS has 39.0% math proficiency and 57.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bellefonte Area MS a charter school?
No, Bellefonte Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bellefonte Area MS a Title I school?
No, Bellefonte Area MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bellefonte Area MS?
34.5% of students at Bellefonte Area MS 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 617
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Centre County
- Phone
- (814) 355-5466
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bellefonte Area SD- District Enrollment
- 2,585
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,274
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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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