For the 2026 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 Bald Eagle Area Ms/shs. 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 48% (versus the Pennsylvania public high school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Centre County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of Pennsylvania public high schools.
Centre County, PA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 94%, which is more than the Pennsylvania average of 88%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Bald Eagle Area Ms/shs, with ≥95% 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 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public High Schools in Centre County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
State College Area High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
650 Westerly Pkwy
State College, PA 16801
(814) 231-1111
State College, PA 16801
(814) 231-1111
Gr: 8-12 | 2,402 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Penns Valley Area Jr. Sr. High School
(Math: 56% | 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
Gr: 7-12 | 632 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
Bald Eagle Area Ms/shs
(Math: 36% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
710 S Eagle Valley Rd
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-4868
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-4868
Gr: 6-12 | 832 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #44.
Bellefonte Area High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
830 E Bishop St
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-4833
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-4833
Gr: 9-12 | 850 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Philipsburg-osceola Area High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
502 Philips St
Philipsburg, PA 16866
(814) 342-1521
Philipsburg, PA 16866
(814) 342-1521
Gr: 9-12 | 525 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 5 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 Bald Eagle Area Ms/shs.
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 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).
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
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.