Lower Merion School District

301 E Montgomery Ave
Ardmore, PA 19003
(District boundaries shown in map)
10/
10
Top 5%

Top Rankings

Lower Merion School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Pennsylvania for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 5%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 1%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 1%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public elementary schools serving 5,524 students in Lower Merion School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 1% of public elementary schools in Pennsylvania.
Public Elementary Schools in Lower Merion School District have an average math proficiency score of 79% (versus the Pennsylvania public elementary school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 85% (versus the 54% statewide average).
The top ranked public elementary schools in Lower Merion School District are Merion Elementary School, Gladwyne School and Cynwyd School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Asian and Black), which is less than the Pennsylvania public elementary school average of 42% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (PA)
# Schools
11 Schools
2,145 Schools
# Students
8,487 Students
1,108,977 Students
# Teachers
781 Teachers
82,943 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Lower Merion School District, which is ranked within the top 5% of all 678 school districts in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 97% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School District
State Average (PA)
#7 out of 685 school districts
(Top 5%)
79%
38%
86%
55%
87%
57%
97%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.56
0.61
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
12%
5%
% Hispanic
6%
16%
% Black
9%
15%
% White
64%
58%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
9%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $34,093 is higher than the state median of $23,696. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $35,337 is higher than the state median of $23,119. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (PA)
Total Revenue
$289 MM
$39,541 MM
Spending
$300 MM
$38,578 MM
Revenue / Student
$34,093
$23,696
Spending / Student
$35,337
$23,119

Best Lower Merion School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Merion Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
549 S Bowman Ave
Merion Station, PA 19066
(610) 645-1470
Gr: K-4 | 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #22.
Gladwyne School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
230 West Righters Mill Rd
Gladwyne, PA 19035
(610) 645-1440
Gr: K-4 | 545 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Cynwyd School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
101 W Levering Mill Rd
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 645-1430
Gr: K-4 | 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Penn Wynne School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
250 Haverford Rd
Wynnewood, PA 19096
(610) 645-1450
Gr: K-4 | 607 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #55.
Penn Valley School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
301 Righters Mill Rd
Narberth, PA 19072
(610) 645-1460
Gr: K-4 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #66.
Bala-cynwyd Middle School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
510 Bryn Mawr Ave
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 645-1480
Gr: 5-8 | 796 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #77.
Belmont Hills Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
200 School Street
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 645-1420
Gr: K-4 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #88.
Welsh Valley Middle School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
325 Tower Lane
Narberth, PA 19072
(610) 658-3920
Gr: 5-8 | 818 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: n/an/a
1860 W Montgomery Ave
Villanova, PA 19085
(484) 418-2222
Gr: 5-8 | 1,030 student Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 37%

Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.

Quick Facts (2025)

  • District size: 11 schools
  • Grades: KG-12
  • Enrollment: 8,487 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 36%
  • : 97% (Top 5% in PA)
  • : Top 5%
  • : 79% (Top 1%)
  • : 86% (Top 5%)
  • : 87% (Top 1%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

Quick Links