The top reported proficiency rate is 81% in Science. The lowest is 61% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Park Forest Ms
Park Forest Middle School serves grades six through eight in State College, a college-town borough anchored by Penn State University. The school draws students from a broader State College Area School District that spans multiple townships and serves roughly [a broad enrollment range]. Park Forest currently enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Asian, multiracial, and Hispanic students, and a small share qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school sits in a housing market that has grown rapidly and was recently identified as the hottest in Pennsylvania, with home values reflecting that demand and monthly rents in the moderate range for the region.
In the most recent state testing data available, Park Forest students showed stronger proficiency in English language arts than in mathematics. On the statewide assessment, a substantial majority of students in grades three through eight met proficiency in reading and language arts. In mathematics across those grades, roughly three-fifths of students reached proficiency. Science results from an earlier year showed solid performance above that mathematics benchmark. Across the three subjects where data was available, the school's overall proficiency index placed it in the top quartile among the county's district schools, a meaningful position of academic strength.
Park Forest is currently navigating a significant transition. The State College Area School District has decided to replace the existing middle school building with a new facility rather than undertake renovation. This multi-year construction project will reshape the school's physical plant and, during transition periods, may affect access or temporary configurations. For families considering enrollment, the district is transparent that this work will unfold over time. Construction planning is underway, but the timeline for completion extends beyond the current school year.
Property taxes in the district have risen for five consecutive years after being held steady briefly in 2020-21 and 2021-22. The pattern of annual increases, including a planned hike for 2026-27 at the state-allowed maximum, is a tangible factor for homeowners weighing a move to the area. Meanwhile, an expansion of nearby Mount Nittany Elementary School is slated to open at the start of the 2026-27 school year, adding capacity in the eastern attendance zone.
State College itself is a dense, walkable core with downtown anchored by retail, restaurants, and cultural institutions like the State Theatre and Schlow Library, immediately adjacent to Penn State's campus. Residential neighborhoods in the borough and surrounding College Township are increasingly mixed between urban and suburban character. Parks, farmers markets, and seasonal festivals like Arts Fest anchor community life. The area draws professionals tied to Penn State, healthcare, and other regional employers, and home and rental markets reflect strong demand. For families with middle-grade students, Park Forest offers a school where English language arts proficiency is notably strong, mathematics performance is approaching the district midpoint, and the transition to a new building will ultimately modernize facilities but may create temporary logistical questions worth exploring directly with the school during the planning period.
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