Centre County Schools & Education
Centre County, Pennsylvania
School Score
92/100
Higher = better
Rating
High Performing
Graduation Rate
95.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
95.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 90.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,573
National avg $13,239
State avg $10,336
School Score
92/100
Higher = better
State avg 72/100
State School Rank
#5
of 67 counties (1 = best)
Explore Centre County across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in Centre County, Pennsylvania
An Education-Driven Central Hub
Centre County operates 33 public schools across nine school districts, supporting a total of 13,832 students. The network is rich in primary education options, featuring 23 elementary schools alongside four middle and six high schools. This infrastructure serves a diverse geographic area from the urban State College core to outlying rural regions.
Top-Tier Graduation and State-Leading Scores
The county achieves a stellar 95.4% graduation rate, among the highest in the state and well above the 87% national average. Academic investment is strong at $11,573 per pupil, which exceeds the state average of $10,336. These factors combine for a school score of 66.2, significantly higher than the state median.
State College Area SD Sets the Pace
State College Area School District dominates the local landscape, managing 11 schools and 6,781 students. Bellefonte Area and Bald Eagle Area are also major contributors, serving over 4,000 students combined. Unlike many neighbors, Centre County has a notable charter school presence, with three schools representing 9.1% of the total.
Diverse Locales from City to Rural
Students in Centre County attend schools in a wide range of settings, including 15 rural, nine suburban, five city, and four town campuses. While the average school size is 419, State College Area High School is a massive outlier with 2,410 students. This variety allows families to choose between intimate rural schools and large, resource-rich urban campuses.
Invest in a High-Performing District
With some of the best academic metrics in Pennsylvania, Centre County is a premier destination for families. The presence of Penn State University influences the high local standards for K-12 education. Look for homes in the State College or Bellefonte areas to capitalize on these exceptional educational resources.
School Overview
Total Schools
33
in Centre County
Total Enrollment
13,832
students
School Districts
9
districts
Charter Schools
3
9% of total
School Type Breakdown
9 School Districts in Centre County
State College Area SD
Bellefonte Area SD
Philipsburg-Osceola Area SD
Bald Eagle Area SD
Penns Valley Area SD
Young Scholars of Central PA CS
Centre Learning Community CS
Nittany Valley CS
Central PA Institute of Science & Technology
33 Public Schools in Centre County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State College Area HS | State College Area SD | 8–12 | High | 2,410 |
| Bellefonte Area HS | Bellefonte Area SD | 9–12 | High | 847 |
| Bald Eagle Area JSHS | Bald Eagle Area SD | 6–12 | High | 842 |
| Park Forest MS | State College Area SD | 6–8 | Middle | 815 |
| Mount Nittany MS | State College Area SD | 6–8 | Middle | 695 |
| Penns Valley Area JSHS | Penns Valley Area SD | 7–12 | High | 662 |
| Bellefonte Area MS | Bellefonte Area SD | 6–8 | Middle | 576 |
| Philipsburg-Osceola Area HS | Philipsburg-Osceola Area SD | 9–12 | High | 520 |
| Mount Nittany El Sch | State College Area SD | KG–5 | Primary | 430 |
| Park Forest El Sch | State College Area SD | KG–5 | Primary | 430 |
| Philipsburg El Sch | Philipsburg-Osceola Area SD | KG–5 | Primary | 406 |
| Marion-Walker El Sch | Bellefonte Area SD | KG–5 | Primary | 404 |
| Radio Park El Sch | State College Area SD | KG–5 | Primary | 396 |
| Penns Valley Area El and Intrmd Sch | Penns Valley Area SD | KG–6 | Primary | 389 |
| Wingate El Sch | Bald Eagle Area SD | KG–5 | Primary | 373 |
| Young Scholars of Central PA CS | Young Scholars of Central PA CS | KG–8 | Charter | 371 |
| Gray's Woods El Sch | State College Area SD | KG–5 | Primary | 369 |
| Spring Creek El Sch | State College Area SD | KG–5 | Primary | 369 |
| Bellefonte El Sch | Bellefonte Area SD | KG–5 | Primary | 335 |
| Easterly Parkway El Sch | State College Area SD | KG–5 | Primary | 316 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$11,573
State avg $10,336
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Centre County, Pennsylvania — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Centre County, Pennsylvania?
Centre County operates 33 public schools across nine school districts, supporting a total of 13,832 students. The network is rich in primary education options, featuring 23 elementary schools alongside four middle and six high schools. This infrastructure serves a diverse geographic area from the urban State College core to outlying rural regions.
How do schools in Centre County perform academically?
The county achieves a stellar 95.4% graduation rate, among the highest in the state and well above the 87% national average. Academic investment is strong at $11,573 per pupil, which exceeds the state average of $10,336. These factors combine for a school score of 66.2, significantly higher than the state median.
What are the major school districts in Centre County, Pennsylvania?
State College Area School District dominates the local landscape, managing 11 schools and 6,781 students. Bellefonte Area and Bald Eagle Area are also major contributors, serving over 4,000 students combined. Unlike many neighbors, Centre County has a notable charter school presence, with three schools representing 9.1% of the total.
What is the school experience like in Centre County?
Students in Centre County attend schools in a wide range of settings, including 15 rural, nine suburban, five city, and four town campuses. While the average school size is 419, State College Area High School is a massive outlier with 2,410 students. This variety allows families to choose between intimate rural schools and large, resource-rich urban campuses.
How can I find homes near good schools in Centre County, Pennsylvania?
With some of the best academic metrics in Pennsylvania, Centre County is a premier destination for families. The presence of Penn State University influences the high local standards for K-12 education. Look for homes in the State College or Bellefonte areas to capitalize on these exceptional educational resources.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.