The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in English language arts. The lowest is 61% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hollidaysburg Area Jhs
Hollidaysburg Area Junior High is a seven-through-nine school serving the county seat and surrounding area in Blair County, Pennsylvania. The school draws a substantial share of its enrollment from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with just under half of its families qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is predominantly white, with very small Asian and Hispanic populations and minimal racial diversity overall.
On state assessments administered most recently in 2024 and 2025, the school's proficiency rates cluster in the low-to-mid range. In English language arts, a majority of students tested as proficient or above. Math proficiency ran below that, with fewer than two-thirds meeting state standards. Science proficiency, measured most recently in 2023-24, landed in the mid-60s percentile. Within Blair County's district cohort, this school's overall proficiency index places it in the top performance tier, meaning its academic results stand out favorably when compared to other public middle schools in the county. That said, a parent reviewing these numbers should recognize that proficiency rates in the 60-percent range leave room for growth, particularly in mathematics.
The school is one of two secondary campuses in the Hollidaysburg Area School District, located on North Montgomery Street at the town's northern edge. A public library now sits beside the high school, and the junior and senior high are connected by a walking path, creating a modest campus setting within a short walk of Hollidaysburg's historic downtown and civic core. The town itself is a stable small county seat with a walkable downtown anchored by the courthouse and what locals call "The Diamond," a public gathering point, along with parks and trail access to the Juniata River.
The district faces significant structural financial pressures. Pandemic-era federal relief funding that sustained budgets for several years has run out, leaving a multi-million-dollar structural deficit. The school board adopted a maximum allowable property tax increase for the 2025-26 school year, which raises the school tax burden for homeowners. Additional increases may follow, making this a material cost-of-living factor for current and prospective residents. Housing values in the Hollidaysburg zip code are below state and national averages, and rents are correspondingly modest, but the trajectory of school taxes is worth factoring into any decision to live or stay in the district.
A more significant disruption may be on the horizon. The district commissioned a master facilities study in 2024 that proposed consolidating the three elementary schools into one building, shifting sixth grade to the junior high and ninth grade to the senior high, and renovating aging structures. The full capital project would span multiple years and substantial borrowed funds. While no final decisions have been made, these changes could affect which school children attend, grade configurations at this junior high, and long-term tax and debt obligations district-wide. A parent considering this school or the district should ask the administration directly about the timeline and likelihood of these shifts.
State assessment participation data and special education enrollment rates were not available for this school, so a parent working through enrollment decisions may want to contact the school directly for details on support services and student population size within special populations.
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