Excellent
#26 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 1% in state
Bala-cynwyd MS
Middle School · Lower Merion SD
510 Bryn Mawr Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Enrollment
796
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
9.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
796
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
9.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bala Cynwyd
#2 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#3 of 514
In district
#5 of 11
Lower Merion SD
School environment
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Bala-cynwyd MS
Bala-Cynwyd Middle School is a regular public school serving grades 5 through 8 in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. It enrolls 796 students with a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1 — meaning each teacher works with roughly 10 students, a low load across all four grade levels. The school earns a composite score of 9.3 out of 10, rated Exceptional, with an academic score of 9.2 and a growth score of 8.9.
Both figures matter on their own: academic scores capture where students perform, while growth scores track how much progress they make from year to year. Together, they place Bala-Cynwyd MS third among 514 public middle schools in Pennsylvania. Statewide across all school levels, it ranks 26th out of 2,842 public schools — outperforming 99% of Pennsylvania schools and putting it among the strongest public schools in the state by any measure.
Within Bala Cynwyd, it ranks second of three local schools. For families comparing middle school options in this part of Pennsylvania, the scores and rankings put Bala-Cynwyd MS in rare company — and make it one of the most data-supported choices available.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Bala-cynwyd MS offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bala-cynwyd MS — Students at Bala-cynwyd MS score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.9/10.
How Bala-cynwyd MS Compares
See how Bala-cynwyd MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 71% (2019) to 75.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 84.5% (2024).
Location
510 Bryn Mawr Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bala-cynwyd MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Penn Valley Sch (rated 9.7/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Narberth), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Belmont Hills El Sch (rated 9.6/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Merion El Sch (rated 9.5/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Merion Station), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bala Cynwyd, see our Bala Cynwyd schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19004 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$143,781
Median Home Value
$616,000
Median Rent
$1,791/mo
Population
10,439
College Educated
72.5%
Homeownership
71.7%
Avg Commute
28.5 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Median Age
42.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bala-cynwyd MS has a median household income of $143,781. It is a well-educated community where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $616,000, with a median rent of $1,791/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Welsh Valley MS Narberth, PA | 9.2 |
| Radnor MS Wayne, PA | 9.5 |
| Springton Lake MS Media, PA | 9.0 |
| Black Rock MS Villanova, PA | 9.7 |
| Boyce MS Pittsburgh, PA | 8.6 |
| Hershey MS Hershey, PA | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bala-cynwyd MS
What grades does Bala-cynwyd MS serve?
Bala-cynwyd MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Bala-cynwyd MS?
Bala-cynwyd MS has an enrollment of approximately 796 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bala-cynwyd MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Bala-cynwyd MS is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bala-cynwyd MS rank in PA?
Bala-cynwyd MS is ranked #26 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Bala-cynwyd MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Bala-cynwyd MS has a composite rating of 9.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bala-cynwyd MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bala-cynwyd MS has 73.4% math proficiency and 84.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bala-cynwyd MS a charter school?
No, Bala-cynwyd MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bala-cynwyd MS a Title I school?
No, Bala-cynwyd MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bala-cynwyd MS?
15.1% of students at Bala-cynwyd MS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 796
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 80
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 15.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Montgomery County
- Phone
- (610) 645-1480
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lower Merion SD- District Enrollment
- 8,518
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,428
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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