Excellent
#305 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 11% in state
Mount Nittany MS
Middle School · State College Area SD
656 Brandywine Dr, State College, PA 16801
Enrollment
712
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
712
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In State College
#5 of 12
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#21 of 514
In district
#5 of 11
State College Area SD
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Mount Nittany MS
Mount Nittany MS is a public middle school in State College, PA, part of the State College Area SD. The school serves approximately 712 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 89.3th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 51% proficiency in math, 16 points above the state average and 75% in reading/language arts, 21 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $62,821, where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mount Nittany MS — Students at Mount Nittany MS score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23%
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: 8.2/10.
How Mount Nittany MS Compares
See how Mount Nittany MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 54% (2019) to 53.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 74.5% (2024).
Location
656 Brandywine Dr, State College, PA 16801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mount Nittany MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ferguson Twp El Sch (rated 8.9/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Pine Grove Mills), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Mount Nittany El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, State College Area HS (rated 8.7/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in State College, see our State College schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Nittany El Sch State College | 0.1 mi | 8.7 |
| ST JOSEPHS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Boalsburg | 0.7 mi | 7.7 |
| SOARING HEIGHTS SCHOOL State College | 0.8 mi | — |
| STATE COLLEGE FRIENDS SCHOOL State College | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Nittany Valley CS State College | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Easterly Parkway El Sch State College | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Spring Creek El Sch State College | 2.9 mi | 7.5 |
| State College Area HS State College | 2.6 mi | 8.7 |
| BENNETT FAMILY CENTER University Park | 2.7 mi | — |
| OUR CHILDREN'S CENTER State College | 2.7 mi | — |
| OUR LADY OF VICTORY CATHOLIC SCHOOL State College | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| NITTANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL State College | 3.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Corl Street El Sch State College | 3.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Young Scholars of Central PA CS State College | 3.6 mi | 7.6 |
| LEARNING STATION State College | 4.1 mi | — |
| Radio Park El Sch State College | 4.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Centre Learning Community CS State College | 4.3 mi | 8.6 |
| MERAKEY EDUCATION AND AUTISM CENTER State College | 5.0 mi | — |
| MEADOWS SCHOOL Centre Hall | 5.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Ferguson Twp El Sch Pine Grove Mills | 5.7 mi | 8.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 16801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,821
Median Home Value
$400,400
Median Rent
$1,221/mo
Population
42,153
College Educated
66.6%
Homeownership
43.7%
Avg Commute
16.6 min
Poverty Rate
28.1%
Median Age
27.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mount Nittany MS has a median household income of $62,821. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $400,400, with a median rent of $1,221/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Cocalico MS Denver, PA | 8.3 |
| Moon Area Lower MS Moon Township, PA | 8.4 |
| Strath Haven MS Wallingford, PA | 8.4 |
| Park Forest MS State College, PA | 8.2 |
| Perkiomen Valley MS-East Collegeville, PA | 8.2 |
| Wallenpaupack Area MS Hawley, PA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mount Nittany MS
What grades does Mount Nittany MS serve?
Mount Nittany MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Mount Nittany MS?
Mount Nittany MS has an enrollment of approximately 712 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mount Nittany MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Mount Nittany MS is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mount Nittany MS rank in PA?
Mount Nittany MS is ranked #305 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Mount Nittany MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Mount Nittany MS has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Mount Nittany MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mount Nittany MS has 51.2% math proficiency and 74.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mount Nittany MS a charter school?
No, Mount Nittany MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mount Nittany MS a Title I school?
No, Mount Nittany MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mount Nittany MS?
23.0% of students at Mount Nittany 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
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (State College). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 712
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 63
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 23.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Centre County
- Phone
- (814) 466-5133
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
State College Area SD- District Enrollment
- 6,712
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,929
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
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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