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Excellent

#191 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 7% 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

8.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#191 of 2,846

In State College

#5 of 12

public schools

In district

#6 of 11

State College Area SD

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Park Forest EL Sch

8.7/10

Elementary School in State College · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Park Forest MS

7.8/10

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

Grace Prep High School

7.2/10

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

About Park Forest EL Sch

Park Forest EL Sch is a public elementary school in State College, PA, part of State College Area SD. Park Forest EL Sch serves approximately 413 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Park Forest EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #191 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Park Forest EL Sch show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.7 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.5
  • PA avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.18 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency75.9% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+23.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.1 pts
Overall Proficiency75% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,929
Chronic Absenteeism7.7%

Park Forest EL Sch — Students at Park Forest EL Sch score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 70.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 75.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.3% (2024 PSSA)

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
85%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
85%
ELA
80%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
60%
ELA
75%
2016
Math
50%
ELA
78%
2017
Math
55%
ELA
78%
2018
Math
66%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
66%
ELA
73%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
63.7%
ELA
67.9%
2024
Math
74.7%
ELA
75.6%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Park Forest EL Sch Compares

See how Park Forest EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.7/10
93th percentile in PA
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.7%

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

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 9.1/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Pine Grove Mills), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Radio Park El Sch (rated 9.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Spring Creek El Sch (rated 8.8/10, 5.1 miles away), with a very similar 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 7.8
GRACE PREP HIGH SCHOOL State College 1.7 mi 7.2
Gray's Woods El Sch Port Matilda 2.0 mi 7.4
Radio Park El Sch State College 2.0 mi 9.0
Corl Street El Sch State College 3.1 mi 8.7
Young Scholars of Central PA CS State College 3.3 mi 5.8
Centre Learning Community CS State College 3.6 mi 7.4
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 9.3
Easterly Parkway El Sch State College 4.1 mi 7.8
Ferguson Twp El Sch Pine Grove Mills 5.4 mi 9.1
Nittany Valley CS State College 4.6 mi 6.7
STATE COLLEGE FRIENDS SCHOOL State College 4.7 mi 8.0
Spring Creek El Sch State College 5.1 mi 8.8
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Blue Mountain El West Sch Friedensburg, PA 8.7
Glendale El Sch Flinton, PA 8.7
Hershey Primary El Sch Hershey, PA 8.7
Homeville El Sch West Mifflin, PA 8.7
Hoover El Sch Pittsburgh, PA 8.7
Jefferson El Sch Lake Ariel, PA 8.7

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 ranks #191 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Park Forest EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Park Forest EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 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 Park Forest EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Park Forest EL Sch has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.7%

District

State College Area SD
District Enrollment
6,712
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,929
District Rank
#6 of 11

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