Best Schools in Darby, Pennsylvania
3 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle
Choosing a school in Darby?
Use this page to compare every school in Darby by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Park Lane EL Sch
Elementary · William Penn Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Walnut Street EL Sch
Elementary · William Penn Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Penn Wood MS
Middle · William Penn Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Darby for 2026 are Park Lane EL Sch (6.1/10), Walnut Street EL Sch (4.7/10), and Penn Wood MS (3.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
4.8
out of 10
Median Home
$117,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
4.8
out of 10
Median Home
$117,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +8.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Darby schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Darby
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Park Lane EL Sch | 6.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Walnut Street EL Sch | 4.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Penn Wood MS | 3.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 4.8/10
- Median household income
- $48,962
- Median home value
- $117,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17%
- Avg commute
- 34 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 52%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Darby compares
Pennsylvania rank
#376 of 408
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.5
below Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$49k
62% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Darby, Pennsylvania
Darby, Pennsylvania is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 4.8 out of 10, schools in Darby show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Darby is Park Lane EL Sch with a composite score of 6.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Darby is served by 1 school district: William Penn SD. These districts collectively serve 4,547 students.
Darby's community shows 17% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $48,962. The poverty rate in the area is 27.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 312 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.1 |
| 2 | 285 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.7 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 635 students · 7th–8th | 3.5 |
Schools in Darby
Darby, Pennsylvania · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$48,962
Median Home Value
$117,200
Median Rent
$1,240/mo
Population
22,636
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
52%
Avg Commute
34 min
Poverty Rate
27.6%
Community Profile
Darby has a median household income of $48,962. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $117,200, with a median rent of $1,240/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Pennsylvania
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Darby, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in Darby, Pennsylvania?
Darby has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Darby, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Darby is 4.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Darby, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Darby on MySchoolScout is Park Lane EL Sch with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Darby, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in Darby on MySchoolScout is Park Lane EL Sch with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Darby, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked middle school in Darby on MySchoolScout is Penn Wood MS with a composite score of 3.5/10.
How many school districts serve Darby, Pennsylvania?
Darby is served by 1 school district: William Penn Sd.
What is the education level in Darby, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 17% of adults in Darby have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Darby, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in Darby is approximately $48,962 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Darby, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Darby is 11.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Darby, Pennsylvania?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.