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 3 public middle schools serving 2,644 students in Lower Merion School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 1% of public middle schools in Pennsylvania.
Public Middle Schools in Lower Merion School District have an average math proficiency score of 65% (versus the Pennsylvania public middle school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 85% (versus the 52% statewide average).
The top ranked public middle schools in Lower Merion School District are Bala-cynwyd Middle School and Welsh Valley Middle 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 middle school average of 46% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (PA)
# Schools
11 Schools
923 Schools
# Students
8,487 Students
591,579 Students
# Teachers
781 Teachers
44,337 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
0.65
# American Indian Students
2 Students
1,239 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
975 Students
25,214 Students
% Asian Students
12%
4%
# Hispanic Students
545 Students
97,970 Students
% Hispanic Students
6%
17%
# Black Students
778 Students
118,593 Students
% Black Students
9%
20%
# White Students
5,439 Students
316,870 Students
% White Students
64%
54%
# Hawaiian Students
5 Students
586 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
743 Students
30,545 Students
% of Two or more races Students
9%
5%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
-
1,623
# Students in K Grade:
342
15,933
# Students in 1st Grade:
629
17,465
# Students in 2nd Grade:
597
18,204
# Students in 3rd Grade:
655
18,156
# Students in 4th Grade:
657
19,235
# Students in 5th Grade:
657
33,809
# Students in 6th Grade:
677
92,720
# Students in 7th Grade:
649
128,929
# Students in 8th Grade:
661
129,773
# Students in 9th Grade:
729
34,725
# Students in 10th Grade:
700
28,504
# Students in 11th Grade:
737
26,584
# Students in 12th Grade:
797
25,919
# 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 Middle Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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

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