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 11 public schools serving 8,487 students in Lower Merion School District. This district's average testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 1% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
Public Schools in Lower Merion School District have an average math proficiency score of 75% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 86% (versus the 55% statewide average).
The top ranked public schools in Lower Merion School District are Merion Elementary School, Gladwyne School and Lower Merion High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Lower Merion School District has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Pennsylvania.
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Asian and Black), which is less than the Pennsylvania public school average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (PA)
# Schools
11 Schools
2,928 Schools
# Students
8,487 Students
1,668,648 Students
# Teachers
781 Teachers
124,158 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1

District Rank

Lower Merion School District, which is ranked within the top 5% of all 675 school districts in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 97% has decreased from 99% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (PA)
#7 out of 684 school districts
(Top 5%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Lower Merion   School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
75%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Lower Merion   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
86%
55%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Lower Merion   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
87%
57%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Lower Merion   School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
97%
87%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Lower Merion   School District and public school graduation rate of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.56
0.59
# American Indian Students
2 Students
3,204 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
975 Students
78,034 Students
% Asian Students
12%
5%
# Hispanic Students
545 Students
249,018 Students
% Hispanic Students
6%
15%
# Black Students
778 Students
237,342 Students
% Black Students
9%
14%
# White Students
5,439 Students
1,011,502 Students
% White Students
64%
61%
# Hawaiian Students
5 Students
1,518 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
743 Students
88,750 Students
% of Two or more races Students
9%
5%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
-
8,485
# Students in K Grade:
342
114,122
# Students in 1st Grade:
629
120,768
# Students in 2nd Grade:
597
126,133
# Students in 3rd Grade:
655
120,907
# Students in 4th Grade:
657
125,578
# Students in 5th Grade:
657
126,001
# Students in 6th Grade:
677
126,714
# Students in 7th Grade:
649
128,950
# Students in 8th Grade:
661
129,786
# Students in 9th Grade:
729
141,323
# Students in 10th Grade:
700
138,358
# Students in 11th Grade:
737
131,939
# Students in 12th Grade:
797
129,584
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

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
This chart displays total revenue of Lower Merion   School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$300 MM
$38,578 MM
This chart displays total spending of Lower Merion   School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$34,093
$23,696
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Lower Merion   School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$35,337
$23,119
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Lower Merion   School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Lower Merion School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Merion Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
549 S Bowman Ave
Merion Station, PA 19066
(610) 645-1470
Grades: K-4
| 442 students
Rank: #22.
Gladwyne School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
230 West Righters Mill Rd
Gladwyne, PA 19035
(610) 645-1440
Grades: K-4
| 545 students
Rank: #33.
Lower Merion High School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
315 E Montgomery Ave
Ardmore, PA 19003
(610) 645-1810
Grades: 9-12
| 1,757 students
Rank: #44.
Harriton Sr. High School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
600 N Ithan Ave
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(610) 658-3950
Grades: 9-12
| 1,206 students
Rank: #55.
Penn Wynne School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
250 Haverford Rd
Wynnewood, PA 19096
(610) 645-1450
Grades: K-4
| 607 students
Rank: #66.
Cynwyd School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
101 W Levering Mill Rd
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 645-1430
Grades: K-4
| 442 students
Rank: #77.
Penn Valley School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
301 Righters Mill Rd
Narberth, PA 19072
(610) 645-1460
Grades: K-4
| 500 students
Rank: #88.
Belmont Hills Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
200 School Street
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 645-1420
Grades: K-4
| 344 students
Rank: #99.
Bala-cynwyd Middle School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
510 Bryn Mawr Ave
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 645-1480
Grades: 5-8
| 796 students
Rank: #1010.
Welsh Valley Middle School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
325 Tower Lane
Narberth, PA 19072
(610) 658-3920
Grades: 5-8
| 818 students
Rank: n/an/a
1860 W Montgomery Ave
Villanova, PA 19085
(484) 418-2222
Grades: 5-8
| 1,030 students

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Lower Merion School District?
Lower Merion School District manages 11 public schools serving 8,487 students.
What is the rank of Lower Merion School District?
Lower Merion School District is ranked #9 out of 675 school districts in Pennsylvania (top 5%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Pennsylvania school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 5%), Highest math proficiency (Top 1%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 5%), Highest science proficiency (Top 1%), Highest graduation rate (Top 5%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%), Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%) and Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Lower Merion School District?
64% of Lower Merion School District students are White, 12% of students are Asian, 9% of students are Black, 9% of students are Two or more races, and 6% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Lower Merion School District?
Lower Merion School District has a student/teacher ratio of 11:1, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 14:1.
What is Lower Merion School District's spending/student ratio?
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.

Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.

Quick Stats (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%
  • : 75% (Top 1%)
  • : 86% (Top 5%)
  • : 87% (Top 1%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

Quick Links