For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public preschools serving 4,500 students in Cambria County, PA.
The top-ranked public preschools in Cambria County, PA are Portage Area Elementary School, Forest Hills Elementary School and Blacklick Valley El Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cambria County, PA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Pennsylvania public pre school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 38% statewide average). Pre schools in Cambria County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Pennsylvania public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Pennsylvania public preschool average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Cambria County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Portage Area Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
84 Mountain Ave
Portage, PA 15946
(814) 736-9636
Portage, PA 15946
(814) 736-9636
Gr: PK-6 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
Forest Hills Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
547 Locust Street
Sidman, PA 15955
(814) 487-7613
Sidman, PA 15955
(814) 487-7613
Gr: PK-6 | 994 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #33.
Blacklick Valley El Center
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 W Railroad St
Nanty Glo, PA 15943
(814) 749-9211
Nanty Glo, PA 15943
(814) 749-9211
Gr: PK-6 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
Cambria Heights Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
138 East Campbell St
Carrolltown, PA 15722
(814) 344-8506
Carrolltown, PA 15722
(814) 344-8506
Gr: PK-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #55.
Ferndale Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
100 Dartmouth Ave
Johnstown, PA 15905
(814) 535-6724
Johnstown, PA 15905
(814) 535-6724
Gr: PK-6 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #66.
Northern Cambria Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
601 Joseph St
Northern Cambria, PA 15714
(814) 948-5880
Northern Cambria, PA 15714
(814) 948-5880
Gr: PK-4 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #77.
Conemaugh Valley Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1340 William Penn Avenue
Johnstown, PA 15906
(814) 535-6970
Johnstown, PA 15906
(814) 535-6970
Gr: PK-6 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #88.
Greater Johnstown Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
196 Westgate Dr
Johnstown, PA 15905
(814) 533-5670
Johnstown, PA 15905
(814) 533-5670
Gr: PK-4 | 1,133 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: n/an/a
205 6th St
Cresson, PA 16630
(814) 886-8166
Cresson, PA 16630
(814) 886-8166
Gr: PK-K | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Cambria County, PA?
The top-ranked public preschools in Cambria County, PA include Portage Area Elementary School, Forest Hills Elementary School and Blacklick Valley El Center.
How many public preschools are located in Cambria County?
9 public preschools are located in Cambria County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cambria County?
Cambria County public preschools minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Pennsylvania public preschools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Cambria County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Cambria County include: Ferndale Elementary School vs. Conemaugh Valley Elementary School, Portage Area Elementary School vs. Forest Hills Elementary School, Blacklick Valley El Center vs. Cambria Heights Elementary School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.