Excellent
#75 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 3% in state
Park Forest EL Sch
Elementary School · State College Area SD
2181 School Dr, State College, PA 16803
Enrollment
413
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
413
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In State College
#1 of 12
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#61 of 1,625
In district
#1 of 11
State College Area SD
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Park Forest EL Sch
Park Forest Elementary School serves 413 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in State College, Pennsylvania. As a regular public school, it runs a student-teacher ratio of 13.8 to 1 — keeping classes small enough to enable more consistent, direct contact between teachers and students during the grades when foundational skills develop. The school earns an Exceptional composite score of 9.0 out of 10.
Academic performance scores 8.8 and growth scores 9.6, making growth the stronger dimension of the two. Park Forest ranks first among all 12 public schools in State College and sits at #61 out of 1,625 elementary schools statewide — firmly in the top 4% of Pennsylvania's elementary schools. Measured against all public schools in Pennsylvania across every grade level, Park Forest outperforms 97% of them, placing at #75 out of 2,842.
For families evaluating elementary options in central Pennsylvania, that statewide standing — alongside consistent high marks in both academics and growth — puts this school in a small group of schools operating at this level of documented performance.
Score Breakdown
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Park Forest EL Sch — Students at Park Forest EL Sch score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.9%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.6/10.
How Park Forest EL Sch Compares
See how Park Forest EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 66% (2019) to 74.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 73% (2019) to 75.9% (2024).
Location
2181 School Dr, State College, PA 16803
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Park Forest EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ferguson Twp El Sch (rated 8.9/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Pine Grove Mills), with a very similar rating. Another option is Corl Street El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 3.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Nittany Valley CS (rated 8.1/10, 4.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in State College, see our State College schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Park Forest MS State College | 0.2 mi | 8.2 |
| GRACE PREP HIGH SCHOOL State College | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Gray's Woods El Sch Port Matilda | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Radio Park El Sch State College | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Corl Street El Sch State College | 3.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Young Scholars of Central PA CS State College | 3.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Centre Learning Community CS State College | 3.6 mi | 8.6 |
| MERAKEY EDUCATION AND AUTISM CENTER State College | 3.4 mi | — |
| LEARNING STATION State College | 3.6 mi | — |
| OUR LADY OF VICTORY CATHOLIC SCHOOL State College | 3.5 mi | 6.3 |
| OUR CHILDREN'S CENTER State College | 3.5 mi | — |
| BENNETT FAMILY CENTER University Park | 3.5 mi | — |
| NITTANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL State College | 4.0 mi | 7.4 |
| State College Area HS State College | 3.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Easterly Parkway El Sch State College | 4.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Ferguson Twp El Sch Pine Grove Mills | 5.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Nittany Valley CS State College | 4.6 mi | 8.1 |
| STATE COLLEGE FRIENDS SCHOOL State College | 4.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Spring Creek El Sch State College | 5.1 mi | 7.5 |
| SOARING HEIGHTS SCHOOL State College | 5.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 16803 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,993
Median Home Value
$395,800
Median Rent
$1,363/mo
Population
23,660
College Educated
73.9%
Homeownership
44.1%
Avg Commute
16.7 min
Poverty Rate
25.3%
Median Age
31.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Park Forest EL Sch has a median household income of $71,993. It is a well-educated community where 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $395,800, with a median rent of $1,363/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Barth El Sch Pottstown, PA | 9.0 |
| Bobtown El Sch Bobtown, PA | 9.0 |
| Brandywine Heights El Sch Topton, PA | 9.0 |
| Johnsonburg Area El Sch Johnsonburg, PA | 9.0 |
| Oklahoma El Sch Dubois, PA | 9.0 |
| Osborne El Sch Sewickley, PA | 9.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Park Forest EL Sch
What grades does Park Forest EL Sch serve?
Park Forest EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Park Forest EL Sch?
Park Forest EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 413 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Park Forest EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Park Forest EL Sch is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Park Forest EL Sch rank in PA?
Park Forest EL Sch is ranked #75 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Park Forest EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Park Forest EL Sch has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Park Forest EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Park Forest EL Sch has 71.1% math proficiency and 73.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Park Forest EL Sch a charter school?
No, Park Forest EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Park Forest EL Sch a Title I school?
No, Park Forest EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Park Forest EL Sch?
18.9% of students at Park Forest 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (State College). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 413
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Centre County
- Phone
- (814) 231-5010
- 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
- #1 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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