Skip to main content

Excellent

#44 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 2% in state

State College Area HS

High School · State College Area SD

650 Westerly Pkwy, State College, PA 16801

Enrollment

2,347

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

9.3

Grades

8th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#44 of 2,846

In State College

#1 of 12

public schools

In district

#1 of 11

State College Area SD

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around State College Area HS?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

State College Area HS

9.3/10

High School in State College · grades 8th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Our Lady of Victory Catholic School

6.3/10

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

Our Children's Center

Nearby

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

About State College Area HS

State College Area HS is a public high school in State College, PA, part of State College Area SD. State College Area HS serves approximately 2,347 students, and covers grades 8th-12th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. State College Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 out of 10 and ranks #44 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for State College Area HS show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

What's said publicly about State College Area HS

Sources: Wikipedia Wayback Machine

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

State College Area High School, also known as "State High," is the sole public high school in the State College Area School District, located in State College, Pennsylvania 3 . The school is situated within walking distance of Penn State University 3 . Recent academic recognitions include two seniors, Amy Liu and Lydia Shen, winning National Merit Scholarships, and twelve students being named National Merit Scholarship Finalists 2 . Additionally, senior Prithvi Narayanan was selected as a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar 2 . The school's Delta Program English teacher, Amy Allison, received the Judith’s Award for her Advocacy for Teens class 2 . While Andy Cunningham, a teacher at Park Forest Middle School, was a semifinalist for the 2025 PA Teacher of the Year award, this recognition applies to the middle school level 2 .
Sources (2)
  1. web.archive.org
  2. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares2.7 pts above PA schools
  • This school 9.3 · Excellent
  • PA avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

State College Area HS is a large school: 2,347 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency86.9% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+34.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.9 pts
Overall Proficiency82% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+16.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College Readiness9.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate93%
AP Participation37.2%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,929
Chronic Absenteeism22.8%

State College Area HS — Students at State College Area HS score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 82.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 75.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
64.0% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 28 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
77%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
78%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
90%
2013
Math
76%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
84%
ELA
84%
2015
Math
86%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
85%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
83%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
80%
ELA
85%
2019
Math
80%
ELA
85%
2020*
Math
90%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
90%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
76.3%
ELA
86.9%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How State College Area HS Compares

See how State College Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.3/10
99th percentile in PA
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Sports
25
13 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
203 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered IB Programme
37.2% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·9 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics25sports offered
13 boys'·12 girls'·55 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

650 Westerly Pkwy, State College, PA 16801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering State College Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST JOSEPHS CATHOLIC ACADEMY (rated 7.7/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Boalsburg), a more accessible option. Additionally, GRACE PREP HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in State College, see our State College schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
OUR LADY OF VICTORY CATHOLIC SCHOOL State College 0.4 mi 6.3
OUR CHILDREN'S CENTER State College 0.6 mi
Easterly Parkway El Sch State College 0.7 mi 7.8
NITTANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL State College 1.0 mi 7.4
Nittany Valley CS State College 0.8 mi 6.7
Corl Street El Sch State College 0.9 mi 8.7
STATE COLLEGE FRIENDS SCHOOL State College 0.9 mi 8.0
Young Scholars of Central PA CS State College 1.0 mi 5.8
BENNETT FAMILY CENTER University Park 1.4 mi
LEARNING STATION State College 1.7 mi
Centre Learning Community CS State College 1.8 mi 7.4
Radio Park El Sch State College 1.9 mi 9.0
SOARING HEIGHTS SCHOOL State College 1.8 mi
Mount Nittany El Sch State College 2.6 mi 8.4
Mount Nittany MS State College 2.6 mi 7.4
GRACE PREP HIGH SCHOOL State College 2.6 mi 7.2
Spring Creek El Sch State College 3.4 mi 8.8
Ferguson Twp El Sch Pine Grove Mills 3.7 mi 9.1
MERAKEY EDUCATION AND AUTISM CENTER State College 4.1 mi
ST JOSEPHS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Boalsburg 3.3 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,821

Median Home Value

$400,400

Median Rent

$1,221/mo

Population

42,153

College Educated

66.6%

Homeownership

43.7%

Avg Commute

16.6 min

Poverty Rate

28.1%

Median Age

27.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Plymouth-Whitemarsh SHS Plymouth Meeting, PA 9.3
Garnet Valley HS Glen Mills, PA 9.4
Pine-Richland HS Gibsonia, PA 9.2
Lower Merion HS Ardmore, PA 9.6
Council Rock HS North Newtown, PA 9.0
Wissahickon SHS Ambler, PA 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about State College Area HS

What grades does State College Area HS serve?

State College Area HS serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend State College Area HS?

State College Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 2,347 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at State College Area HS?

The student-teacher ratio at State College Area HS is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does State College Area HS rank in PA?

State College Area HS ranks #44 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is State College Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?

State College Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 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 State College Area HS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, State College Area HS has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is State College Area HS a charter school?

No, State College Area HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is State College Area HS a Title I school?

No, State College Area HS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for State College Area HS?

22.0% of students at State College Area HS 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
66 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
91 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
2,347
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
203
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Centre County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.8%
4-Year Graduation
93.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.