Public schools in Altoona, PA
14 open public schools with an address in Altoona, operated by 3 education agencies. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
14
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
7,106
13 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
12.4:1
Pennsylvania median 13:1
Charter schools
1
1 magnet · 1 virtual
An overview of Altoona public schools
The federal directory lists 14 public schools in Altoona, PA: 8 elementary, 1 middle, 3 high, 2 combined or other. The 13 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 7,106 students, an average of 547 per school. The largest campus is Altoona Area HS (2,255 students), and the largest elementary school is Juniata Gap El Sch (490).
Altoona Area SD operates the most schools here (12), plus 2 charter, service, or other agencies. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 12.4:1, similar to the statewide school median of 13:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 1 charter school, 1 magnet school, 1 virtual school. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 2 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 1 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 2 of 2 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
School districts and agencies serving Altoona
Elementary schools in Altoona
8| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker El Sch Altoona Area SD | KG–05 | 263 | 12.4:1 | |
| Irving El Sch Altoona Area SD · Magnet | KG–05 | 267 | 15.5:1 | |
| Juniata El Sch Altoona Area SD | KG–05 | 470 | 12.6:1 | |
| Juniata Gap El Sch Altoona Area SD | KG–05 | 490 | 13.9:1 | |
| Logan El Sch Altoona Area SD | KG–05 | 428 | 12.9:1 | |
| Mowrie A Ebner El Sch Altoona Area SD | KG–05 | 349 | 11.1:1 | |
| Penn-Lincoln El Sch Altoona Area SD | KG–05 | 313 | 8.6:1 | |
| Pleasant Valley El Sch Altoona Area SD | KG–05 | 439 | 12.1:1 |
Middle schools in Altoona
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona Area Jr HS Altoona Area SD | 06–08 | 1,578 | 12.4:1 |
High schools in Altoona
3| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona Area HS Altoona Area SD | 06–12 | 2,255 | 16.9:1 | |
| Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center · Career and Technical School | 09–12 | 60 | 1.8:1 | |
| Kimmel Alternative School Altoona Area SD | 07–12 | 0 | 0:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Altoona
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation CS Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation CS · Charter · Virtual | KG–12 | 194 | 4.1:1 | |
| Washington & Jefferson El Sch Altoona Area SD | PK–PK | — | — |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White82.1%
- Hispanic3.4%
- Black9%
- Asian0.5%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial4.7%
Enrollment-weighted across 12 Altoona schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (7,106 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Altoona
How many public schools are in Altoona, PA?
The current NCES directory lists 14 open public schools with a location address in Altoona: 8 elementary, 1 middle, 3 high, 2 combined or other. Together they reported 7,106 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Altoona?
Schools with an address in Altoona belong to 3 education agencies, led by Altoona Area SD (12 schools), Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation CS (1 school), Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center (1 school). A mailing city is not an attendance boundary; confirm the district for a specific address.
What is the largest public high school in Altoona?
Altoona Area HS reported the largest high-school enrollment in Altoona, with 2,255 students in 2024–25 (grades 06–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Altoona?
Yes. 1 of the 14 public schools in Altoona are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation CS. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Altoona schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Altoona public schools is 12.4:1, similar to the Pennsylvania school median of 13:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Altoona guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Pennsylvania cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Pennsylvania cities