Education

Four public school districts – serving Mifflin and Juniata counties – dedicate themselves to equipping the area’s 8,000 plus students for bright futures ahead. Alongside them, a variety of Christian and Amish schools thoughtfully meet the unique needs of their students, fostering values and skills in nurturing environments. Beyond shaping young minds, these institutions anchor the community as key employers: Mifflin County School District ranks as the third largest in Mifflin County, while Juniata County School District holds second place in Juniata County.
Complementing traditional education, the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology delivers hands-on career and technical training to 10th, 11th, and 12th graders from Mifflin County, Juniata County, and East Juniata High Schools. As the valley’s premier post-secondary hub, the Academy also extends certificate, diploma, and licensure programs to adults eager to launch or pivot careers – from practical nursing to advanced manufacturing – in a forward-thinking space designed for real-world success.

For families seeking faith-based learning, Belleville Christian School in Belleville now welcomes PreK-12 students with a Christ-centered curriculum that builds academic strength and spiritual depth, evolving from its Mennonite heritage to embrace a wider evangelical community. Mifflin County Christian Academy in McClure offers a K-12 curriculum infused with a biblical worldview, serving about 100 students in a close-knit setting that emphasizes academic excellence and spiritual growth. Juniata Christian School in McAlisterville offers K–12 education, rooted in Mennonite values, but open to all. It is fully accredited and has served families here for over forty years. Similarly, Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Lewistown provides a Christ-centered education for PreK-6 learners in an inclusive, faith-centered environment that embraces every child and family, with small classes where kids aren’t a number.

Geisinger School of Nursing’s state-of-the-art facility in downtown Lewistown, opened in 2024, continues to expand opportunities, doubling enrollment capacity and earning ACEN accreditation in June 2025 as one of Pennsylvania’s top programs. With a new director at the helm since December, it infuses the area with energy from its growing cohort of future nurses, blending rigorous training with community vitality.