The top reported proficiency rate is 52% in Science. The lowest is 33% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Altoona Area Jr Hs
Altoona Area Junior High serves grades six through eight in a mid-sized urban district. The school enrolls a substantial population of students, drawn nearly entirely from Altoona itself, a mixed-use former railroad city with a compact downtown and traditional residential neighborhoods of rowhouses and individual homes.
The student body is predominantly white, with a smaller Black population and small shares of Hispanic, multiracial, and Asian students. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic composition of the city and surrounding area. The school does not report data on special education enrollment or English learners; the reasons for these absences are not stated in available sources.
In state testing for 2024-25, the school's English Language Arts proficiency rate was below midpoint for the county's districts, while its mathematics proficiency was considerably lower. Performance in science, measured in the prior year, was above the median for the county. The overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades places the school above the midpoint among Blair County districts, though with variation across subject areas. A parent may want to look into the mathematics result with the school directly to understand whether specific support or intervention is underway.
The school sits within the Altoona Area School District, which has navigated significant budget pressures over recent years. The district approved property tax increases for two consecutive years, raising homeowner obligations notably. For 2025-26, however, the board shifted course and adopted a flat tax rate after rejecting an advertised increase, citing unexpected state aid and an available fund balance. This reversal may signal shifting fiscal direction, though homeowners have seen consecutive hikes in prior years. On the capital side, the district invested substantially in a new B Building at the high school, opened in October 2020 with performing arts, visual arts, and science facilities.
Altoona itself is in a recovery phase. The city's population declined sharply from its historical peak, though recent building permit activity has been strong, with residential projects leading new development in 2024. Civic anchors include Penn State Altoona, a regional employer base anchored by UPMC, Sheetz, and state and federal government, and cultural institutions including the Mishler Theatre and Railroaders Museum. Downtown is connected to the Penn State campus by bike path and bus service. The housing market in the area is below state and national benchmarks; median home values and rents are affordable relative to income when compared to broader state and national measures.
See more original research from School Decision →