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Excellent

#82 of 872 private schools in PA

Top 9% of private schools

State College Friends School

Elementary School

1900 UNIVERSITY DR, State College, PA 16801

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 12 schools in State College. Learn more

Enrollment

90

Student-Teacher

5.6:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In State College

#1 of 4

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#24 of 368

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About State College Friends School

STATE COLLEGE FRIENDS SCHOOL is a charming elementary school nestled in the heart of State College, Pennsylvania. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, this small but vibrant community has an enrollment of just 90 students, ensuring personalized attention and care for every child. With a student-teacher ratio of 5.6:1, teachers can provide individualized support to help each student reach their full potential.

STATE COLLEGE FRIENDS SCHOOL places great emphasis on fostering a nurturing environment that encourages learning and personal growth. While the school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.3 out of 10, it ranks 77th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, indicating there is room for improvement in academic performance. However, with its dedicated staff of 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school focuses on holistic development and building a strong foundation for future learning.

Located in a small city setting, STATE COLLEGE FRIENDS SCHOOL benefits from being part of an engaged community that values education and supports students’ growth both inside and outside the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 90 students, State College Friends School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.6:1, State College Friends School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, State College Friends School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How State College Friends School compares to 12 public schools serving similar grades in State College, PA

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.6:1
This School
vs
11.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
90
This School
vs
543
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.0
This School
vs
8.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 71.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 8.9% vs 0%
Asian 8.9% vs 0%
Black 7.8% vs 0%
State College Friends School State College Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
State College Friends School (this school) 8.0
Nittany Valley CS 8.1
Easterly Parkway El Sch 7.1
State College Area HS 8.7
Mount Nittany El Sch 8.7
Mount Nittany MS 8.3
Corl Street El Sch 8.3
Young Scholars of Central PA CS 7.6
Centre Learning Community CS 8.6
Radio Park El Sch 6.6
Spring Creek El Sch 7.5
Park Forest MS 8.2
Park Forest El Sch 9.0

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in PA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 9.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 6.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,196.8
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 47%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 6.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 90
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in PA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 71.1%
Hispanic 8.9%
Asian 8.9%
Black 7.8%
Two or More 3.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1900 UNIVERSITY DR, State College, PA 16801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering State College Friends School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ferguson Twp El Sch (rated 8.9/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Pine Grove Mills), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Mount Nittany El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Corl Street El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in State College, see our State College schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Nittany Valley CS State College 0.2 mi 8.1
Easterly Parkway El Sch State College 0.7 mi 7.1
State College Area HS State College 0.9 mi 8.7
SOARING HEIGHTS SCHOOL State College 1.0 mi
OUR CHILDREN'S CENTER State College 1.2 mi
OUR LADY OF VICTORY CATHOLIC SCHOOL State College 1.3 mi 6.3
BENNETT FAMILY CENTER University Park 1.7 mi
NITTANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL State College 1.6 mi 7.4
Mount Nittany El Sch State College 1.7 mi 8.7
Mount Nittany MS State College 1.7 mi 8.3
Corl Street El Sch State College 1.7 mi 8.3
Young Scholars of Central PA CS State College 1.9 mi 7.6
LEARNING STATION State College 2.4 mi
ST JOSEPHS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Boalsburg 2.4 mi 7.7
Spring Creek El Sch State College 3.2 mi 7.5
Centre Learning Community CS State College 2.6 mi 8.6
Radio Park El Sch State College 2.7 mi 6.6
GRACE PREP HIGH SCHOOL State College 3.5 mi 7.2
MERAKEY EDUCATION AND AUTISM CENTER State College 4.5 mi
Ferguson Twp El Sch Pine Grove Mills 4.2 mi 8.9

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 Friends School 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
HOLMESBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Philadelphia, PA 8.0
Port Matilda El Sch Port Matilda, PA 8.1
SCRANTON HEBREW DAY SCHOOL Scranton, PA 8.1
RIVER VALLEY WALDORF SCHOOL Upper Black Eddy, PA 8.2
LANSDOWNE FRIENDS SCHOOL Lansdowne, PA 7.8
LOGAN HOPE SCHOOL Philadelphia, PA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about State College Friends School

What grades does State College Friends School serve?

State College Friends School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend State College Friends School?

State College Friends School has an enrollment of approximately 90 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at State College Friends School?

The student-teacher ratio at State College Friends School is 5.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does State College Friends School rank in PA?

State College Friends School is ranked #82 out of 872 private schools in PA.

What is State College Friends School's MySchoolScout rating?

State College Friends School has a composite rating of 8.0 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.

Is State College Friends School a private school?

Yes, State College Friends School is a private coeducational school with a Friends (Quaker) affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is State College Friends School a religious school?

State College Friends School has a Friends (Quaker) religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
34 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
77 Very Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (920/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (State College). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
90
Gender Split
47% M / 53% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Friends (Quaker)
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
176 days
Setting
Small City
County
CENTRE
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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