Excellent
#348 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 12% in state
Park Forest MS
Middle School · State College Area SD
2180 School Dr, State College, PA 16803
Enrollment
808
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
808
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In State College
#7 of 12
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#25 of 514
In district
#7 of 11
State College Area SD
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Park Forest MS
Park Forest MS is a public middle school in State College, PA, part of the State College Area SD. The school serves approximately 808 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87.8th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 57% proficiency in math, 21 points above the state average and 79% in reading/language arts, 26 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $71,993, where 74% 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
Park Forest MS — Students at Park Forest MS score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.3%
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: 8.3/10.
How Park Forest MS Compares
See how Park Forest MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 59.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 82% (2019) to 80% (2024).
Location
2180 School Dr, State College, PA 16803
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Park Forest MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Park Forest El Sch (rated 9.0/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ferguson Twp El Sch (rated 8.9/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Pine Grove Mills), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, State College Area HS (rated 8.7/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in State College, see our State College schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Park Forest El Sch State College | 0.2 mi | 9.0 |
| GRACE PREP HIGH SCHOOL State College | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Gray's Woods El Sch Port Matilda | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Radio Park El Sch State College | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Corl Street El Sch State College | 3.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Centre Learning Community CS State College | 3.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Young Scholars of Central PA CS State College | 3.2 mi | 7.6 |
| LEARNING STATION State College | 3.5 mi | — |
| MERAKEY EDUCATION AND AUTISM CENTER State College | 3.5 mi | — |
| OUR LADY OF VICTORY CATHOLIC SCHOOL State College | 3.4 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 | 3.9 mi | 7.4 |
| State College Area HS State College | 3.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Easterly Parkway El Sch State College | 4.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Ferguson Twp El Sch Pine Grove Mills | 5.2 mi | 8.9 |
| Nittany Valley CS State College | 4.5 mi | 8.1 |
| STATE COLLEGE FRIENDS SCHOOL State College | 4.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Spring Creek El Sch State College | 5.2 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 MS 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 |
|---|---|
| Perkiomen Valley MS-East Collegeville, PA | 8.2 |
| Valley Forge MS Wayne, PA | 8.2 |
| Wallenpaupack Area MS Hawley, PA | 8.2 |
| Charles H Boehm MS Yardley, PA | 8.1 |
| Franklin Regional MS Murrysville, PA | 8.1 |
| Garnet Valley MS Glen Mills, PA | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Park Forest MS
What grades does Park Forest MS serve?
Park Forest MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Park Forest MS?
Park Forest MS has an enrollment of approximately 808 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Park Forest MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Park Forest MS is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Park Forest MS rank in PA?
Park Forest MS is ranked #348 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Park Forest MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Park Forest MS has a composite rating of 8.2 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 MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Park Forest MS has 56.6% math proficiency and 78.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Park Forest MS a charter school?
No, Park Forest MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Park Forest MS a Title I school?
No, Park Forest MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Park Forest MS?
15.3% of students at Park Forest 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
- 808
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 60
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 15.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Centre County
- Phone
- (814) 272-8217
- 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
- #7 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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