Excellent
#91 of 2,846 schools in PA
Top 3% in state
Bala-cynwyd MS
Middle School · Lower Merion Sd · Bala Cynwyd, PA
A Lower Merion Sd middle school where students score 12 points above what's typical for similar communities.
510 Bryn Mawr Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
- Math 75% vs PA 37% (2024)
- Reading 85% vs PA 53% (2024)
- 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Bala-cynwyd MS score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
2024 PSSA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. PA average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 14 points across the 16-year record (2009–2024) and has held near 80% recently.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 77% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 88% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 38 test records from PA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
15.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Bala-cynwyd MS sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Philadelphia map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 44Car-Dependent
- Bike 32Somewhat Bikeable
Powered by
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$143,781
Median home value
$616,000
Median rent
$1,791/mo
College educated
72.5%
Homeownership
71.7%
Poverty rate
9.3%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 19004; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh Valley MSEnrollment path unverified | 9.0 | 5–8 | 1.3 mi | 818 | Compare → |
| Y.a.l.e. School of PhiladelphiaPrivate · tuition | 7.0private | 1–12 | 1.5 mi | 78 | Compare → |
| St Katherine SchoolPrivate · tuition | 8.7private | K–10 | 1.8 mi | 69 | Compare → |
| Friends Central SchoolPrivate · tuition | 7.7private | PK–12 | 2.2 mi | 738 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Lower Merion Sd
- Schools in district
- 11
- Rank in district
- #10 of 11
- District spending per student
- $31,428NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 3.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
Bala-cynwyd MS is listed in Lower Merion SD; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Bala-cynwyd MS
Bala-cynwyd MS is a public middle school in Bala Cynwyd, PA, part of Lower Merion Sd, serving approximately 796 students in grades 5th-8th with a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #91 of 2,846 schools in PA. State assessment records show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 88% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 796
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 80
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Montgomery County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 6.3%
- Phone
- (610) 645-1480
- Area population (ZIP 19004)
- 10,439
- Area average commute
- 28.5 min
- Area median age
- 42.3
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 PSSA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 PSSA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 19004; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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