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Excellent

#91 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 3% 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

9.0

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#91 of 2,846

In Bala Cynwyd

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#10 of 11

Lower Merion SD

School environment

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Bala-cynwyd MS

9.0/10

Middle School in Bala Cynwyd · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cynwyd Sch

9.2/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Childrens School at St Johns

Nearby

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bala-cynwyd MS

Bala-cynwyd MS is a public middle school in Bala Cynwyd, PA, part of Lower Merion SD. Bala-cynwyd MS serves approximately 796 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Bala-cynwyd MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #91 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Bala-cynwyd MS show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 88% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 9.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 9.3
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

At 9.9:1 students to teachers, Bala-cynwyd MS sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.5% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+32.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+32.1 pts
Overall Proficiency80% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment10.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,428
Chronic Absenteeism6.3%

Bala-cynwyd MS — Students at Bala-cynwyd MS score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

15.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 76.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 87.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.2% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 38 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
94%
ELA
93%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
93%
2011
Math
94%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
93%
2013
Math
94%
ELA
93%
2014
Math
65%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
71%
ELA
88%
2016
Math
70%
ELA
88%
2017
Math
69%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
71%
ELA
87%
2019
Math
71%
ELA
87%
2020*
Math
66%
ELA
84%
2021*
Math
66%
ELA
84%
2022
Math
65.6%
ELA
86.2%
2024
Math
75.4%
ELA
84.5%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Bala-cynwyd MS Compares

See how Bala-cynwyd MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
97th percentile in PA
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
10.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
6.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Merion El Sch (rated 9.6/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Merion Station), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Penn Valley Sch (rated 9.6/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Narberth), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Belmont Hills El Sch (rated 9.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bala Cynwyd, see our Bala Cynwyd schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Cynwyd Sch Bala Cynwyd 0.1 mi 9.2
CHILDRENS SCHOOL AT ST JOHNS Bala Cynwyd 0.4 mi
THE MESIVTA HIGH SCHOOL OF GREATER PHILA Bala Cynwyd 0.5 mi 7.0
WALDRON MERCY ACADEMY Merion Station 0.5 mi 7.7
Belmont Hills El Sch Bala Cynwyd 0.7 mi 9.4
GAN CHABAD OF THE MAIN LINE Merion Station 0.6 mi
I S KOSLOFF TORAH ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Bala Cynwyd 0.7 mi 7.6
KOHELET YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL Merion Station 0.8 mi 7.7
TEMPLE ADATH ISRAELEARLYCHILDHOOD CENTER Merion Station 0.9 mi
Merion El Sch Merion Station 1.1 mi 9.6
ST MARGARET SCHOOL Narberth 1.0 mi 6.7
BALA CYNWYD SCHOOL FOR YOUNG CHILDREN Bala Cynwyd 1.1 mi 6.9
THE BALA HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bala Cynwyd 1.1 mi
Welsh Valley MS Narberth 1.3 mi 9.0
Samuel Gompers Sch Philadelphia 1.5 mi 5.0
Dobson James Sch Philadelphia 1.4 mi 6.7
Penn Valley Sch Narberth 1.3 mi 9.6
TALMUDICAL YESHIVA OF PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia 1.7 mi 5.5
PHILA YESHIVA Philadelphia 1.7 mi 5.6
HYMAN KORMAN HIGH SCHOOL-TALMUDICAL YESHIVA OF PHI Philadelphia 1.7 mi 5.3

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Welsh Valley MS Narberth, PA 9.0
Peters Twp MS Mcmurray, PA 8.9
Radnor MS Wayne, PA 9.1
Boyce MS Pittsburgh, PA 9.3
Dorseyville MS Pittsburgh, PA 8.7
Eden Hall Upper El Sch Gibsonia, 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 ranks #91 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Bala-cynwyd MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Bala-cynwyd MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bala-cynwyd MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bala-cynwyd MS has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 88% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
6.3%

District

Lower Merion SD
District Enrollment
8,518
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$31,428
District Rank
#10 of 11

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