Very Good
#663 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 23% in state
Mountaintop Area EL Sch
Elementary School · Bald Eagle Area SD
100 School Dr # 865, Snow Shoe, PA 16874
Enrollment
103
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
103
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#497 of 1,625
In district
#2 of 5
Bald Eagle Area SD
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Mountaintop Area EL Sch
Mountaintop Area Elementary School serves 103 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the rural community of Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania. This small public school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1 and nine full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 257th out of 2,852 Pennsylvania elementary schools, placing it in the 91st percentile statewide.
Students show solid proficiency rates with 70% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading, while 61% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. This academic success reflects the dedicated teaching staff and supportive school community. Located in Centre County's ZIP code 16874, the school serves a small rural population of approximately 1,195 residents.
The surrounding community has a median household income of $68,462 and median home values around $143,600, with a poverty rate of 11.4%. While only 11% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school's strong academic outcomes suggest effective educational programming that helps students achieve success regardless of their backgrounds. Mountaintop Area Elementary School provides quality education in Pennsylvania's scenic rural landscape, fostering academic growth in a close-knit mountain community setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 103 students, Mountaintop Area EL Sch is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Mountaintop Area EL Sch may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Mountaintop Area EL Sch — Students at Mountaintop Area EL Sch score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.7%
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
↓ 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: 6.3/10.
How Mountaintop Area EL Sch Compares
See how Mountaintop Area EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 61.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 69.4% (2024).
Location
100 School Dr # 865, Snow Shoe, PA 16874
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mountaintop Area EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Park Forest El Sch (rated 9.0/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby State College), which scores notably higher. Another option is Benner El Sch (rated 8.4/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Bellefonte), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Corl Street El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby State College), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Snow Shoe, see our Snow Shoe schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wingate El Sch Wingate | 9.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Bald Eagle Area MS/SHS Wingate | 9.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Benner El Sch Bellefonte | 11.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Bellefonte El Sch Bellefonte | 11.5 mi | 7.9 |
| MERAKEY EDUCATION AND AUTISM CENTER State College | 13.5 mi | — |
| CENTRE COUNTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bellefonte | 12.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Bellefonte Area MS Bellefonte | 12.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Bellefonte Area HS Bellefonte | 12.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Park Forest El Sch State College | 15.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Park Forest MS State College | 15.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Gray's Woods El Sch Port Matilda | 15.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Spring Creek El Sch State College | 15.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Radio Park El Sch State College | 16.1 mi | 6.6 |
| BENNETT FAMILY CENTER University Park | 16.2 mi | — |
| GRACE PREP HIGH SCHOOL State College | 16.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Central PA Institute of Science and Technology Pleasant Gap | 14.6 mi | — |
| Port Matilda El Sch Port Matilda | 16.7 mi | 8.1 |
| OUR CHILDREN'S CENTER State College | 17.0 mi | — |
| Corl Street El Sch State College | 17.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Easterly Parkway El Sch State College | 17.2 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 16874 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,250
Median Home Value
$168,400
Median Rent
$878/mo
Population
1,209
College Educated
13.5%
Homeownership
84.1%
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
48.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mountaintop Area EL Sch has a median household income of $77,250. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,400, with a median rent of $878/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Donegal El Sch Jones Mills, PA | 7.5 |
| Shade Gap El Sch Shade Gap, PA | 7.5 |
| THE MIQUON SCHOOL Conshohocken, PA | 7.5 |
| WEST CHESTER FRIENDS SCHOOL West Chester, PA | 7.5 |
| EPIPHANY SCHOOL Sayre, PA | 7.4 |
| JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY Allentown, PA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mountaintop Area EL Sch
What grades does Mountaintop Area EL Sch serve?
Mountaintop Area EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Mountaintop Area EL Sch?
Mountaintop Area EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 103 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mountaintop Area EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Mountaintop Area EL Sch is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mountaintop Area EL Sch rank in PA?
Mountaintop Area EL Sch is ranked #663 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Mountaintop Area EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Mountaintop Area EL Sch has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Mountaintop Area EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mountaintop Area EL Sch has 62.7% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mountaintop Area EL Sch a charter school?
No, Mountaintop Area EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mountaintop Area EL Sch a Title I school?
No, Mountaintop Area EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mountaintop Area EL Sch?
44.7% of students at Mountaintop Area EL Sch qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 103
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Centre County
- Phone
- (814) 387-6861
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bald Eagle Area SD- District Enrollment
- 1,524
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,540
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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