Best Schools in Downingtown, Pennsylvania
17 schools · 9 Elementary · 2 Middle · 5 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Downingtown?
Use this page to compare every school in Downingtown 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.
Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center
Middle · Downingtown Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Bradford Hgts EL Sch
Elementary · Downingtown Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Beaver Creek EL Sch
Elementary · Downingtown Area Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Downingtown for 2026 are Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center (8.6/10), Bradford Hgts EL Sch (8.6/10), and Beaver Creek EL Sch (8.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 12 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
17
13 public · 4 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$464,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
17
13 public · 4 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$464,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 8.6/10 despite 23% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.1 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Downingtown schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +10.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Downingtown schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Downingtown
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 12 rated schools; 17 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Bradford Hgts EL Sch | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Beaver Creek EL Sch | 8.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Lionville EL Sch | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Downingtown Stem Academy | 8.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Brandywine-Wallace EL Sch | 8.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Uwchlan Hills EL Sch | 8.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Downingtown HS West Campus | 7.9 / 10 |
| 9 | Downingtown MS | 7.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Shamona Creek EL Sch | 7.4 / 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
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $136,839
- Median home value
- $464,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 62%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 80%
81% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Downingtown compares
Pennsylvania rank
#42 of 424
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.3
above Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$137k
172% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
16
Downingtown Area SD runs Downingtown's public schools
13 public schools. Downingtown Area SD is the dominant district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Downingtown is a Downingtown Area SD school (12 of 13).
Among 12 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.6 to 8.6 — the spread is inside Downingtown, not a citywide average.
- Downingtown Area SD12 public · 92%
- Chester County Technical College High School1 public · 8%
About Schools in Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Downingtown, Pennsylvania serves families through the Downingtown Area School District, and the numbers make a strong first impression. Across 13 ranked public schools, the city averages 7.7 out of 10 — a figure that signals district-wide consistency rather than a handful of outliers pulling the average up. Eleven of those 13 schools, or 85 percent, score 7.0 or higher, which means parents have genuine options at every grade level without having to search hard for a standout campus.
At the top, Downingtown STEM Academy earns a 9.0 out of 10, placing it among Pennsylvania's most competitive high schools. The specialized STEM focus attracts students oriented toward science, technology, engineering, and math, and that score reflects both the strength of the academic program and the district's commitment to investing in differentiated pathways. For families with high school-aged kids or younger students already showing STEM interest, it's the city's clearest draw.
The elementary tier holds up just as well. Brandywine-Wallace Elementary and Uwchlan Hills Elementary both score 8.6, West Bradford Elementary reaches 8.4, and Beaver Creek Elementary rounds out the top five at 8.0. That cluster matters because strong elementary feeder schools tend to carry forward into middle and high school outcomes. Downingtown's top five are tight in score — no single elementary is dramatically pulling ahead of the others — which gives incoming kindergarten families real flexibility rather than a single high-stakes assignment.
For parents comparing cities, Downingtown's profile is difficult to fault on the data. A 7.7 city average is well above typical national baselines, the gap between the top school and the citywide mean is narrow enough to suggest the district invests broadly, and the 85-percent share scoring 7-plus limits the downside risk if attendance boundaries shift. Before committing, confirm your exact attendance zone directly with the Downingtown Area School District — boundary lines, not just school scores, determine where your child enrolls.
Elementary Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 567 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | 503 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.5 | ||
| 3 | 670 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 4 | 475 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 5 | 531 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 6 | 515 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 7 | 624 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 | ||
| 8 | 557 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.6 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Creative Kids of DowningtownPrivate 9 students · Kindergarten–TK | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,036 students · 6th–6th | 8.6 |
| 2 | 1,094 students · 7th–8th | 7.5 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 962 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 1,808 students · 9th–12th | 7.9 | ||
| 3 | 70 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 35 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Bishop Shanahan High SchoolPrivate 876 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Devereux Day School-CaresPrivate 58 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Downingtown
Downingtown, Pennsylvania · 17 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$136,839
Median Home Value
$464,400
Median Rent
$1,647/mo
Population
52,524
College Educated
62%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Community Profile
Downingtown has a median household income of $136,839. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $464,400, with a median rent of $1,647/month. The local poverty rate of 3.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 9
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 5
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 Downingtown, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in Downingtown, Pennsylvania?
Downingtown has 17 schools, including 13 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Downingtown, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Downingtown is 7.5 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 Downingtown, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Downingtown on MySchoolScout is Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Downingtown, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in Downingtown on MySchoolScout is Bradford Hgts EL Sch with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Downingtown, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked middle school in Downingtown on MySchoolScout is Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best high school in Downingtown, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked high school in Downingtown on MySchoolScout is Downingtown Stem Academy with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve Downingtown, Pennsylvania?
Downingtown is served by 2 school districts: Chester County Technical College High School, Downingtown Area Sd.
What is the education level in Downingtown, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 62% of adults in Downingtown have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Downingtown, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in Downingtown is approximately $136,839 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Downingtown, Pennsylvania?
Yes, Downingtown has 4 private schools alongside 13 public schools. The top-rated private school is Devereux Day School-Cares with a score of 8.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Downingtown, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Downingtown is 12.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Downingtown, 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.