Excellent
#149 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 5% 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
8.7
Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
2,347
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
8.7
Grades
8th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In State College
#3 of 12
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#17 of 641
In district
#4 of 11
State College Area SD
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About State College Area HS
State College Area HS is a public high school in State College, PA, part of the State College Area SD. The school serves approximately 2,347 students in grades 8th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 94.8th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 82% proficiency in math, 40 points above the state average and 66% in reading/language arts, 2 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $62,821, where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
What's said publicly about State College Area HS
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (2)
What Parents Should Know
State College Area HS is a large school with 2,347 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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State College Area HS — Students at State College Area HS score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 6 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: 8.8/10.
How State College Area HS Compares
See how State College Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 80% (2019) to 90% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 25% (2021).
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), with a comparable rating. 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 | 7.1 |
| NITTANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL State College | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Nittany Valley CS State College | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Corl Street El Sch State College | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| STATE COLLEGE FRIENDS SCHOOL State College | 0.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Young Scholars of Central PA CS State College | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| BENNETT FAMILY CENTER University Park | 1.4 mi | — |
| LEARNING STATION State College | 1.7 mi | — |
| Centre Learning Community CS State College | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Radio Park El Sch State College | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| SOARING HEIGHTS SCHOOL State College | 1.8 mi | — |
| Mount Nittany El Sch State College | 2.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Mount Nittany MS State College | 2.6 mi | 8.3 |
| GRACE PREP HIGH SCHOOL State College | 2.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Spring Creek El Sch State College | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Ferguson Twp El Sch Pine Grove Mills | 3.7 mi | 8.9 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding State College Area HS has a median household income of $62,821. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $400,400, with a median rent of $1,221/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.1%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Plymouth-Whitemarsh SHS Plymouth Meeting, PA | 8.6 |
| Pine-Richland HS Gibsonia, PA | 8.8 |
| Garnet Valley HS Glen Mills, PA | 9.0 |
| Lower Merion HS Ardmore, PA | 9.0 |
| Council Rock HS North Newtown, PA | 8.2 |
| Great Valley HS Malvern, PA | 7.8 |
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 is ranked #149 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is State College Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?
State College Area HS has a composite rating of 8.7 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 State College Area HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, State College Area HS has 82.1% math proficiency and 65.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 68 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 30 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 91 Biker’s Paradise
- City Safety
- Elevated (920/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (State College). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (814) 231-1111
- 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
- #4 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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