2023 Best Schools with Gifted and Talented Programs in Centre County

• State College Area School District, PA•

• 8-12

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  Rating 3.82 out of 5  539 reviews

Parent: Excellent district on the whole. Very well-rounded academics and teaches on a higher level than most schools in terms of what the kids come out of it knowing/understanding. I’m an alumni, teacher and parent within the district with kids in multiple schools, having worked in all buildings. The clubs/activities/sports are top-notch and the class options for electives at the high school level are insane and provide a ton of opportunities and guidance for the kids. They can come out of high school being qualified for a ton of different jobs, and with a solid basis for college-necessary jobs. It truly is impressive. I think the high school itself is too big and could use to be split into two, but the facilities are extremely impressive and better than most colleges. The younger grades focus a lot on mental well-being as well. My only complaint is how hard they push a liberal agenda instead of presenting all sides and letting the kids decide their own morals/ethics.... Read 539 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,370

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• State College Area School District, PA•

• K-5

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  Rating 2 out of 5  1 review

• grade A

• Students 361

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• State College Area School District, PA•

• 6-8

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  Rating 3.45 out of 5  11 reviews

Niche User: Park Forest is a fairly impressive school. The academics and extracurricular activities are above average.... Read 11 reviews

• grade A

• Students 797

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• State College Area School District, PA•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 353

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• State College Area School District, PA•

• 6-8

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  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 756

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• State College Area School District, PA•

• K-5

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  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Works Here: We love the students, faculty and staff at Ferguson! I highly recommend this school to everyone. In a school choice environment, not other school compares to what Ferguson can offer its students.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 305

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• State College Area School District, PA•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 303

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• State College Area School District, PA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  4 reviews

Alum: I went there for Elementary school years ago, and I very much enjoyed my time. The school was clean and new, children were cared for, and in general, I was very happy. I had a few issues with faculty members, however, I'm certain that if I had spoken up about them at the time, they could have been solved. The strong environmental "zero waste" efforts instilled great values in me for life.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 461

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• State College Area School District, PA•

• K-5

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 393

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• State College Area School District, PA•

• K-5

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 387

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Bald Eagle Area School District, PA•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 92

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Bellefonte Area School District, PA•

• K-5

• grade B+

• Students 201

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Bald Eagle Area School District, PA•

• K-5

• grade B+

• Students 119

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Bellefonte Area School District, PA•

• K-5

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  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Niche User: The staff is very friendly and the students are very kind to one another. I feel like the auditorium/cafeteria/gymnasium is kind of cramped for classes having PE class because when it overlaps with kid's lunches there isn't nearly enough room for the kids to release their energy. The nature around the school is very pretty and the playground is a nice outlet for the students to release some energy. They have tremendous resources for staff and students to use in the classroom and outside the classroom.... Read 1 review

• grade B

• Students 389

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Bald Eagle Area School District, PA•

• K-5

• grade B

• Students 93

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Bellefonte Area School District, PA•

• K-5

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  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade B

• Students 213

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District, PA•

• K-5

• grade B

• Students 422

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Penns Valley Area School District, PA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  132 reviews

Junior: I have really enjoyed my Junior year of high school! There were absolutely challenging times, but I was encouraged to pursue and grow in the gifts I have while becoming a leader. I had the opportunity to intern as a student teacher with two elementary classes this year: one third grade; one fifth grade. I was taught how to teach and lead a classroom. On days when I felt discouraged, I had mentors show me that the world of teaching is a family, and when you have a challenging student, you can find guidance in a fellow teacher. When I said goodbye to my third graders today, one student gave me a big hug, and I knew that my efforts at making a connection were fulfilled. Even if it was just one little boy or one little girl, I know I made an impact on their lives simply by being myself and being someone they could come to if they needed to. My school placed me in the capable hands of mentors that could guide me and run after the dream of teaching that I have held onto for about two years.... Read 132 reviews

• grade B

• Students 680

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Penns Valley Area School District, PA•

• K-6

• grade B

• Students 359

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Bellefonte Area School District, PA•

• 9-12

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  Rating 3.41 out of 5  152 reviews

Junior: I liked the wide variety of classes offered at Bellefonte. I also liked how much the school and the community supported the Arts. I did not like most of the teachers employed here. Some were very good and very passionate about what they taught, but most did not put the effort I would have liked to see into their teaching. I also felt the "block days" were not a good use of my time. I think that teachers need additional training before teaching block days. The time is just not filled appropriately. However, the wide variety of AP classes as well as honors classes makes up for the poor teachers. Students have opportunities to earn a semester of college credit for less than half the cost of in person college classes.... Read 152 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 897

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Bellefonte Area School District, PA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: They were really nice to people and try to help anyone in any shape and it is really safe to they have cops in the building if somethings happens.... Read 1 review

• grade B minus

• Students 619

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Bellefonte Area School District, PA•

• K-5

• grade B minus

• Students 345

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Bald Eagle Area School District, PA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  68 reviews

Senior: Going to Bald Eagle has opened me up to many opportunities. I had the chance to partake into many sports such as volleyball, basketball, and softball. I even had the chance to bring home a state a title! Being part of Bald Eagles agriculture program is probably my highlight. The Bald Eagle FFA Chapter has opened many doors for me to excel in my interest and entrepreneurship goals. On great thing about Bald Eagle is there willingness to have every student succeed and grow. All through the covid pandemic this school has stood out of most in my opinion. Their staff and faculty have done everything possible to keep their students in school getting hand on learning. Every and each member of the school truly wants the best for all their students. For these reasons and many more I am very grateful to be a student at the Bald Eagle Area school district.... Read 68 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 856

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District, PA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.29 out of 5  143 reviews

Senior: The teachers get to know the students on a personal level. You do not go into school feeling like you are going to talk to a teacher, you go into school knowing you are talking to a friend. The teachers are not there to watch you fail, they bend and break to help you succeed. That is definitely one thing I will miss about Philipsburg-Osceola!... Read 143 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 502

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1