The top reported proficiency rate is 88% in Science. The lowest is 56% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Charles W Longer El Sch
Charles W. Longer Elementary serves kindergarten through sixth grade in Hollidaysburg, a small county-seat borough in Blair County with a compact historic downtown and walkable neighborhoods. The school enrolls a student population that is predominantly white, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. A little more than half of the student body comes from economically disadvantaged households, which reflects the broader economic conditions of this post-industrial Blair County town, where government employment, healthcare, and service sectors dominate the local job market.
On state assessments, the school's results show a split picture. In English language arts and math, the school is performing below proficiency targets, with just over half the students in grades three through six meeting the state's "proficient or above" standard in each subject. Science performance is substantially stronger, with the vast majority of tested students reaching proficiency. The math and ELA numbers are not where the school would want them, and a parent may want to look into the school's instructional strategies and support for students who are struggling in these core areas. When the school is compared relative to other districts in Blair County, its overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among the county's schools, suggesting the school is performing better than most of its nearby neighbors despite the absolute proficiency levels in reading and math.
The school draws from a neighborhood where housing is older, with most stock predating World War II. Homes in the 16648 zip code are modestly valued relative to state and national benchmarks, and rents are below state and national averages, making this a relatively affordable corner of Pennsylvania for families seeking to buy or rent. The monthly cost of housing, whether by mortgage or rent, is reasonable for the region, though property taxes are a significant local factor. Hollidaysburg's school district recently adopted a full property tax increase at state-allowable levels, and the district is signaling that further increases may follow as pandemic-era federal relief funding has expired and the district faces a structural budget shortfall. Parents considering a move to the area should factor in those likely future tax obligations.
The district is also weighing a master plan that would substantially reshape its school buildings and grade configurations over the next several years. The plan under consideration would consolidate the three elementary schools, potentially into a new building on the Charles W. Longer site, and move sixth grade to the junior high and ninth grade to the senior high. If adopted, this would change which school children in the neighborhood attend and the grade mix they experience. The timeline and specifics remain uncertain, so this is worth monitoring if you are considering stability in school assignment.
Hollidaysburg itself is a walkable, historic place with a functioning downtown around the Diamond on Allegheny Street, where county government offices sit alongside small shops and restaurants. Public transit is limited but present. Schools in the district are connected by a walking path and sit near the library at the north edge of the borough, making the secondary schools accessible by foot from the residential neighborhoods. For families valuing a small-town feel and older architecture, this setting delivers that clearly. For those seeking rapid growth, newer commercial amenities, or suburban sprawl, Hollidaysburg and this school operate in a different context.
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