About The District
The State College Area School District exhibits a passion for empowering every student - every day - with individualized opportunities for growth and success in a connected world. Our mission: To ensure every student has opportunities to grow, thrive, and fulfill their potential through caring, responsive education. We are the Little Lions!
Fast Facts
- 6,783 students
- 663 Professional employees (teachers, nurses, counselors and psychologists)
- 15.60 — average years of teachers' total experience
- 12.32 — average years of teachers' district experience
- 43rd — State High's ranking out of 750 high schools in Pennsylvania by U.S. News and World Report
- Top 3 percent — State High faculty ranking for statewide quality of instruction according to Niche.com
Our Schools
- 8 elementary schools (grades K-5)
- 2 middle schools (grades 6-8)
- 1 high school (grades 9-12)
- 1 Delta Program, an alternative, democratic school with middle and high school levels for grades 6-12
- 20 - average class size for K-5
- 23 - average class size for 6-8
More about us
Situated in the heart of Pennsylvania, State College is a thriving, dynamic community. The State College Area School District draws its students from a 150 square mile attendance area encompassing the Borough of State College and the surrounding townships of Benner, College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, Harris, and Patton, totaling an enrollment of approximately 6,800.
Competitive pay for teachers and challenging staff development programs help enable SCASD to select from the top personnel available.
Throughout our district, instruction is provided at a teacher to student ratio that is developmentally appropriate to the needs of students and based on the nature of the course(s). Current class size averages are 20 for K-5 and 23 for grades 6-8. High school class sizes vary due to the breadth of our core and elective course offerings.
The district is proud of its tradition of academic excellence and service to the greater community. Our long-standing record of achievement notwithstanding, we remain committed to innovation and continuous improvement of our programs, services and supports for our students.
Our instructional focus is built on our Four Pillars:
- Data-informed, culturally-responsive teaching and learning
- Collaborative community built on trust
- Inclusive and supportive communities
- Welcoming and safe climate for learning and work
More information
- Through our Office of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, we are fully committed to providing equitable learning experiences and more caring and inclusive climates in our schools for all students. In 2017, the district adopted a School Climate/Inclusive Excellence Policy.
- A high-quality before- and after-school program with extended learning opportunities is available for all elementary students.
- We have many Learning Enrichment/Gifted Support options for high-achieving students.
- The district provides a full continuum of service and support options for students with disabilities.
- We are proud that the meals served in SCASD cafeterias support student health and model healthy choices. Menus at all grade levels offer a variety of freshly prepared entrées that accommodate a wide range of taste and dietary preferences. Many choices of fruits and vegetables are offered each day, including fresh and locally sourced choices, making it easy for everyone to find healthy foods that they like.
Demographics
- Native Hawaiian and/or Pacific Islander: .01%
- Native American: .2%
- African American: 2.7%
- Hispanic: 4.5%
- Multi-Racial: 7.2%
- Asian - 8.6%
- White: 76.7%
- Economically Disadvantaged - 15.7%
- English Language Learner: 3.1%
- Special Education: 12.7%
- Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP): 7%
Educational Opportunities
Elementary
The district's eight elementary schools pride themselves on:
- emphasizing respect for self and others
- celebrating diversity
- providing a nurturing environment with active parent involvement
- holding children to high academic and behavioral standards
- providing an elementary failsafe support program
- promoting excellence for all children
We are able to capitalize on local strengths and history, a rich curriculum, a community service orientation, leadership in technology applications, and local environmental consciousness.
Middle Level
Instruction in grades 6 - 8 is delivered at two middle schools, Park Forest and Mount Nittany, by interdisciplinary teams of teachers to heterogeneous groups of learners. In addition to the core curriculum, students engage in:
- Technology education
- Foreign languages (German, Spanish and French)
- English as a Second Language program (offered at all levels)
In the 2014-2015 school year, the district introduced the Delta Middle Level program for grades 5 to 8 with 80 students. Now serving grades 6-8, it currently has an enrollment of about 110.
High School
The State College Area High School along Westerly Parkway annually has an enrollment of 2,254 in grades 9 through 12. It offers more than 400 academic and vocational courses.
The secondary curriculum is comprehensive, providing courses in academic, vocational, business, and agricultural areas. The English, social studies, math, and science departments provide courses of differing degrees of difficulty. Students are encouraged to plan their high school programs to best fit their individual interests, abilities, and goals. World language courses are offered in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Latin and Spanish. Offerings in the fine arts and instrumental and vocal music are varied. A full complement of elective courses rounds out the curriculum. Computer labs and laptop carts are available in the secondary schools, and technology is integrated into many courses.
Students participate in a large number of faculty-supervised extracurricular activities, such as student government, special interest and service clubs, dramatic performances, literary publications, and interscholastic/intramural athletics.
Vocational programs are offered to students at the high school through the Career and Technical Center (CTC) program, which is the home of a full complement of school-to-career training programs combining academic and technical skill preparation with work-based learning experiences.
In addition, students in grades 9-12 may choose to enroll in the Delta Program, a secondary educational option on the State High campus which emphasizes a democratic community that empowers student voice and encourages community service. It annually serves about 160 students. Delta learning experience options include classes at State High and at Penn State, seminars, independent study, extended field trips, career internships, community service projects, and other activities.
Districtwide Programs
Special Education services are provided to exceptional students through specially designed instruction as well as inclusive practices. The district's Learning Enrichment Program provides differentiated learning experiences. These services are offered as general exploratory activities to all students, as group training activities to sharpen students' problem solving and research skills, and as individual and small group investigations to address specific areas of interest, knowledge, and creative ideas.
The district offers a variety of extracurricular activities in the arts, sciences, academics, governance, languages, and for personal enrichment. These student activities are organized into more than 73 faculty-advised clubs. In addition, over 22 formal student groups provide choices in various musical activities.
The district's active Community Education Program offers a wide variety of learning experiences for young people and adults, ranging from basic instruction leading to a high school diploma to workforce education programs.
The Community Education Extended Learning (CEEL) before- and after-school program, established in 2013 at Park Forest and Radio Park elementary schools, expanded to ensure all district K-5 students have access to the program. CEEL also provides art, language and culture, physical activity and STEM classes.
State College Area School District
240 Villa Crest Dr.
State College, Pa., 16801
814-231-1011