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Altoona Area SD recognizes Baker and McAuliffe Heights after U.S. News state ranking
Summary
At a regular meeting, the Altoona Area School District honored Baker Elementary and McAuliffe Heights for placing among the top 40% of Pennsylvania elementary schools in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings. Principals, district staff and students attended board-hosted celebrations and will receive pins and in-school presentations.
The Altoona Area School District on Feb. 11 recognized Baker Elementary School and McAuliffe Heights after U.S. News & World Report placed each school among the top 40% of elementary schools in Pennsylvania.
District staff told the school board the ranking assessed student proficiency in math and reading (PSSA) and adjusted results by socioeconomic demographics to highlight “high-achieving” schools that succeed across their student bodies. A district staff member said the award “is a high honor that the entire school community should celebrate and be proud of.”
Rich Adams, principal of Baker Elementary, introduced a student council delegation and said, “It is truly an honor to be the principal of Baker Elementary.” He told the board Baker has roughly 281 students and about 50 staff members and that the building would hold a full-school celebration the following week.
Acting principal Ryza Gray of McAuliffe Heights said the recognition “isn’t about one person or one moment,” and credited teachers, parents, custodial and food-service staff, and district administrators. Both schools also presented short videos compiled with the high school’s Mountain Line TV program.
Board members were given commemorative pins to wear and the district said each recognized building will present pins to staff and students at upcoming assemblies. The district publicly thanked parents and families for attending the board meeting to celebrate with students.
The board’s remarks framed the ranking as recognition of long-term work across staff, families and administrators; no policy decisions or funding changes were announced as part of the presentations.
