Bedford County's schools are nurturing next generation

Veteran, committed teachers. Safe, stable schools. Expanding curriculum and learning opportunities. Enthusiastic children. It's never been a better time to be a student or an educator in Bedford County's public schools. Six districts and one technical center enroll more than 9,000 kindergarten through twelfth-grade students annually. These students attend schools that have demonstrated the ability to produce outstanding graduates - students who are being recognized in national and regional competitions and who go on to excel in higher education and the work force.

County schools have strong programs to foster volunteerism and promote character building.  Bedford County schools have extremely low incidences of truancy, discipline problems, violence and drug abuse. This is born out by drop-out rates that are often below 1 percent - less than half the Pennsylvania and national average. Student involvement and commitment is further buoyed by strong participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, academic competitions and clubs - at many districts 50 percent above national averages.

Volunteerism in the form of community service assumes many forms and is sponsored by many clubs and organizations throughout Bedford County. Examples include "A Day of Youth Service;" community plays, athletes coaching youth squads, musical and arts performances, visits to elderly care facilities, senior citizens teas and proms. National Programs in Bedford County include Make a Difference Day and the National Youth Service Day, both community service programs that encourage volunteerism at a local level.

Students participate in a variety of clubs and organizations, ranging from Future Business Leaders of America, Envirothon, Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, National Honor Society, Student Council, Yearbook, National Agriculture Organization, Bedford County Literacy Council - the list goes on and varies between districts. County schools also sponsor a full range of athletics, including football, golf, cross country, cheerleading, soccer, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, baseball, softball and track.

Student learning is guided by a veteran teaching staff, with many districts reporting average staff experience of 20 years or greater and more than 99 percent of all classroom teachers in the county have permanent certification in their instructional areas, and most school districts report teacher turnover rates of well under 5 percent. Districts throughout the county combine this experience with a variety of instructional programs - many of them with a strong emphasis on cutting-edge technology. Districts throughout the county have invested heavily in technology, with some districts reporting student-to-computer ratios of less than three students for every one instructional computer. All districts have brought broad-band, high-speed Internet access to computer labs and classrooms, and all districts have incorporated distance learning into their programs, opening up a world of new educational opportunities to all students, including advanced placement opportunities. In addition, all county high school students can accelerate their education at the Bedford County Campus of Allegany College of Maryland - earning college credits for $16 per credit hour.

All districts also participate in county School-to-Work efforts, bringing the world-of-work to life for its students and building close ties with local businesses and industries. The partnership links students, parents, educators, employers and the community. For example, eighth graders participate in Career Quest, Career Fairs and Groundhog Job Shadowing Days. Fifth and sixth graders learn about a variety of careers through week-long Career Camps, eleventh graders learn first-hand about careers through job shadowing, twelfth graders attend job fairs and ninth graders travel to local businesses and industries for tours.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education publishes yearly profiles of all public schools district that include results from annual Pennsylvania System of School Assessment exams. These reports consistently place Bedford County at or above the state average - demonstrating that despite the county's history of low educational attainment, the next generation of graduates will be better educated and better able to lead the county through the 21st century.

Bedford County's K-12 Public School Districts

Post-Secondary Education

There are a variety of opportunities for post-secondary study in Bedford County and the region.

Bedford County Campus Allegany College of Maryland

Founded in 1990, the branch campus for AC of Maryland's Cumberland home campus provides a broad range of day and evening classes for nearly 300 students annually who are pursuing 2-year degrees at the Center's $1.5 million Everett campus. (See an informational article and photos)

Allegany College also has an articulation agreement with California University of Pennsylvania, which allows students to complete a four-year degree in the county.

Within a 50-mile radius of Bedford County, there are five excellent four-year colleges or universities which offer a variety of undergraduate degree opportunities.

The Altoona Campus of Penn State University is less than 30 minutes from the county by I-99. See their website for more information about the second largest of the PSU campuses.

Just over an hour away is the main Campus of Penn State University in State College. With more than 40,000 students enrolled annually, PSU is one of the top state universities in the United States.

Juniata College, in Huntingdon, PA, is a well-regarded, private liberal arts college, less than 30 minutes from the county.

St. Francis University is a small, liberal arts college in Loretto, Pennsylvania.

The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown campus is also an easy drive from western Bedford County.