Best Schools in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Swarthmore?
Use this page to compare every school in Swarthmore 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.
Swarthmore-rutledge Sch
Elementary · Wallingford-swarthmore Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Geoge Crothers Memorial School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Grace Park EL Sch
Elementary · Ridley Sd. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Swarthmore for 2026 are Swarthmore-rutledge Sch (9.2/10), Geoge Crothers Memorial School (8.2/10), and Grace Park EL Sch (6.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
6
2 public · 4 private
Avg Score
7.7
out of 10
Median Home
$333,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
6
2 public · 4 private
Avg Score
7.7
out of 10
Median Home
$333,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +3.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Swarthmore schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Swarthmore
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swarthmore-rutledge Sch | 9.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Geoge Crothers Memorial School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Grace Park EL Sch | 6.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Notre Dame De Lourdes School | 6.5 / 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
- 7.7/10
- Median household income
- $129,973
- Median home value
- $333,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 66%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 81%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Swarthmore compares
Pennsylvania rank
#61 of 408
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.4
above Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$130k
164% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania is home to 6 schools, including 2 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, , and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.7 out of 10, schools in Swarthmore perform strongly 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 Swarthmore is Swarthmore-rutledge Sch with a composite score of 9.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Swarthmore is served by 2 school districts: Ridley SD, Wallingford-Swarthmore SD. These districts collectively serve 9,352 students.
Swarthmore's community shows 66% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $129,973. The poverty rate in the area is 5.5%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 551 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.2 | ||
| 2 | 361 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.8 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Notre Dame De Lourdes School
Private
158 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.5 | ||
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milagre Kids School
Private
5 students · 9th–12th | — |
| 2 | Milagre Kids School
Private
5 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geoge Crothers Memorial School
Private
120 students · UG–UG | 8.2 |
Schools in Swarthmore
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$129,973
Median Home Value
$333,600
Median Rent
$1,452/mo
Population
10,363
College Educated
66%
Homeownership
81%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Community Profile
Swarthmore has a median household income of $129,973. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $333,600, with a median rent of $1,452/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 3
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School Districts (2)
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 Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?
Swarthmore has 6 schools, including 2 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Swarthmore is 7.7 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 Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Swarthmore on MySchoolScout is Swarthmore-rutledge Sch with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in Swarthmore on MySchoolScout is Swarthmore-rutledge Sch with a composite score of 9.2/10.
How many school districts serve Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?
Swarthmore is served by 2 school districts: Ridley Sd, Wallingford-swarthmore Sd.
What is the education level in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 66% of adults in Swarthmore have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in Swarthmore is approximately $129,973 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?
Yes, Swarthmore has 4 private schools alongside 2 public schools. The top-rated private school is Geoge Crothers Memorial School with a score of 8.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Swarthmore is 9.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Swarthmore, 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.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.