For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public high schools serving 5,210 students in Centre County, PA.
The top ranked public high schools in Centre County, PA are State College Area High School, Penns Valley Area Jr. Sr. High School and Bellefonte Area High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Centre County, PA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the Pennsylvania public high school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Centre County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Pennsylvania public high schools.
Centre County, PA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 92%, which is more than the Pennsylvania average of 88%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Bellefonte Area High School, with 93% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Pennsylvania or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Pennsylvania public high school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Centre County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
State College Area High School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
650 Westerly Pkwy
State College, PA 16801
(814) 231-1111
State College, PA 16801
(814) 231-1111
Grades: 8-12
| 2,347 students
Rank: #22.
Penns Valley Area Jr. Sr. High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4545 Penns Valley Road
Spring Mills, PA 16875
(814) 422-2000
Spring Mills, PA 16875
(814) 422-2000
Grades: 7-12
| 649 students
Rank: #33.
Bellefonte Area High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
830 E Bishop St
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-4833
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-4833
Grades: 9-12
| 844 students
Rank: #44.
Bald Eagle Area Ms/shs
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
710 S Eagle Valley Rd
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-4868
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-4868
Grades: 6-12
| 852 students
Rank: #55.
Philipsburg-osceola Area High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
502 Philips St
Philipsburg, PA 16866
(814) 342-1521
Philipsburg, PA 16866
(814) 342-1521
Grades: 9-12
| 514 students
Rank: n/an/a
Central Pa Institute Of Science And Technology
Vocational School
540 North Harrison Road
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 359-2793
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 359-2793
Grades: 9-12
| 4 students
Centre County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
106 School Street
Spring Mills, PA 16875
(814) 422-8822
Spring Mills, PA 16875
(814) 422-8822
Grades: K-4
| 83 students
200 Short St
Philipsburg, PA 16866
(814) 342-4906
Philipsburg, PA 16866
(814) 342-4906
Grades: 5-6
| 250 students
100130 North 6th St
Philipsburg, PA 16866
(814) 342-4860
Philipsburg, PA 16866
(814) 342-4860
Grades: 7-8
| 280 students
Wonderland Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2112 Sandy Drive
State College, PA 16803
(814) 234-5886
State College, PA 16803
(814) 234-5886
Grades: K-5
| 83 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Centre County, PA?
The top ranked public high schools in Centre County, PA include State College Area High School, Penns Valley Area Jr. Sr. High School and Bellefonte Area High School.
How many public high schools are located in Centre County?
6 public high schools are located in Centre County.
What is the racial composition of students in Centre County?
Centre County public high schools minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Pennsylvania public high schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Centre County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Centre County include: Bellefonte Area High School vs. State College Area High School, State College Area High School vs. Bellefonte Area High School, Penns Valley Area Jr. Sr. High School vs. State College Area High School
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.