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Average

#1758 of 2,846 schools in PA

Bellefonte Area MS

Middle School · Bellefonte Area SD

100 N School St, Bellefonte, PA 16823

Enrollment

617

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,758 of 2,846

In Bellefonte

#5 of 5

public schools

In district

#6 of 6

Bellefonte Area SD

School environment

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Bellefonte Area MS

5.7/10

Middle School in Bellefonte · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bellefonte Area HS

6.9/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Centre County Christian Academy

7.3/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bellefonte Area MS

Bellefonte Area MS is a public middle school in Bellefonte, PA, part of Bellefonte Area SD. Bellefonte Area MS serves approximately 617 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Bellefonte Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,758 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Bellefonte Area MS show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts above PA schools
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.5% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+3.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,274
Chronic Absenteeism12.5%

Bellefonte Area MS — Students at Bellefonte Area MS score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 49.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 64.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
81%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
81%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
44%
ELA
66%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
63%
2017
Math
38%
ELA
60%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
65%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
65%
2020*
Math
31%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
30.6%
ELA
60.2%
2024
Math
41%
ELA
56.8%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Bellefonte Area MS Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
38th percentile in PA
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Howard El Sch (rated 9.7/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Howard), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spring Creek El Sch (rated 8.8/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby State College), 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 6.9
CENTRE COUNTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bellefonte 0.6 mi 7.3
Bellefonte El Sch Bellefonte 1.0 mi 7.1
Central PA Institute of Science and Technology Pleasant Gap 2.4 mi
Pleasant Gap El Sch Pleasant Gap 3.4 mi 8.0
Benner El Sch Bellefonte 2.9 mi 8.4
Bald Eagle Area MS/SHS Wingate 3.1 mi 5.7
Wingate El Sch Wingate 3.1 mi 5.2
Centre Hall-Potter El Sch Centre Hall 6.1 mi 7.3
Spring Creek El Sch State College 6.9 mi 8.8
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 7.4
Mount Nittany El Sch State College 9.2 mi 8.4
SOARING HEIGHTS SCHOOL State College 9.4 mi
BENNETT FAMILY CENTER University Park 9.1 mi
Howard El Sch Howard 8.9 mi 9.7
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bedford MS Bedford, PA 5.7
Elizabethtown Area MS Elizabethtown, PA 5.7
Gettysburg Area MS Gettysburg, PA 5.7
Klinger MS Southampton, PA 5.7
Delaware Valley Middle School Milford, PA 5.8
Eastern York MS Wrightsville, PA 5.8

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 ranks #1,758 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Bellefonte Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Bellefonte Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bellefonte Area MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bellefonte Area MS has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.5%

District

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

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