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Very Good

#622 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 22% 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

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#622 of 2,846

In State College

#8 of 12

public schools

In district

#9 of 11

State College Area SD

School environment

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Park Forest MS

7.8/10

Middle School in State College · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Park Forest EL Sch

8.7/10

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

Grace Prep High School

7.2/10

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

About Park Forest MS

Park Forest MS is a public middle school in State College, PA, part of State College Area SD. Park Forest MS serves approximately 808 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Park Forest MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #622 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Park Forest MS show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.6
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.92 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.5% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency80% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+21.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.5 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,929
Chronic Absenteeism14.7%

Park Forest MS — Students at Park Forest MS score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 64.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 80.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
88%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
89%
ELA
86%
2013
Math
88%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
56%
ELA
74%
2015
Math
60%
ELA
73%
2016
Math
59%
ELA
79%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
80%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
39%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
71%
2022
Math
50.3%
ELA
77%
2024
Math
59.6%
ELA
80%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Park Forest MS Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
78th percentile in PA
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
8.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
60 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.7%

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

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. State College Area HS (rated 9.3/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ferguson Twp El Sch (rated 9.1/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Pine Grove Mills), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Radio Park El Sch (rated 9.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably 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 8.7
GRACE PREP HIGH SCHOOL State College 1.5 mi 7.2
Gray's Woods El Sch Port Matilda 1.9 mi 7.4
Radio Park El Sch State College 2.0 mi 9.0
Corl Street El Sch State College 3.0 mi 8.7
Centre Learning Community CS State College 3.4 mi 7.4
Young Scholars of Central PA CS State College 3.2 mi 5.8
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 9.3
Easterly Parkway El Sch State College 4.1 mi 7.8
Ferguson Twp El Sch Pine Grove Mills 5.2 mi 9.1
Nittany Valley CS State College 4.5 mi 6.7
STATE COLLEGE FRIENDS SCHOOL State College 4.7 mi 8.0
Spring Creek El Sch State College 5.2 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
Haine MS Cranberry Twp, PA 7.8
Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center Downingtown, PA 7.8
Strath Haven MS Wallingford, PA 7.8
Swiftwater Interm Sch Swiftwater, PA 7.8
Ingomar MS Pittsburgh, PA 7.7
Landis Run Intermediate School Lancaster, PA 7.7

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 ranks #622 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Park Forest MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Park Forest MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Park Forest MS has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.7%

District

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

How we rate schools

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