Average
#1321 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 46% in state
Lower Gwynedd EL Sch
Elementary School · Wissahickon SD
571 Houston Rd, Ambler, PA 19002
Enrollment
647
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
647
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ambler
#4 of 4
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#856 of 1,625
In district
#6 of 6
Wissahickon SD
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Lower Gwynedd EL Sch
Lower Gwynedd El Sch serves 647 students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Ambler, Pennsylvania, offering a strong academic foundation with a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1 across 39 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates impressive academic performance, ranking #407 out of 2,852 Pennsylvania elementary schools and placing in the 86th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. Students at Lower Gwynedd consistently excel in core subjects, with 75% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, and an even stronger 77% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in mathematics.
This academic success reflects both the school's educational programs and the supportive community environment. The school draws families from an affluent suburban area where the median household income reaches $133,519 and 65% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of just 3.9% and median home values of $499,800, the surrounding neighborhood demonstrates strong economic stability and educational prioritization.
Lower Gwynedd El Sch sits in Montgomery County's large suburban landscape, providing students with the benefits of a well-resourced community while maintaining the close-knit feel of a neighborhood elementary school.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Lower Gwynedd EL Sch — Students at Lower Gwynedd EL Sch score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.6/10.
How Lower Gwynedd EL Sch Compares
See how Lower Gwynedd EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 77.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 88% (2019) to 74.5% (2024).
Location
571 Houston Rd, Ambler, PA 19002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lower Gwynedd EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Maple Glen El Sch (rated 9.2/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Maple Glen), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fort Washington El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Fort Washington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shady Grove El Sch (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ambler, see our Ambler schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wissahickon MS Ambler | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Wissahickon SHS Ambler | 0.3 mi | 7.3 |
| GWYNEDD-MERCY ACADEMY ELEMENTARY Spring House | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Shady Grove El Sch Ambler | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Upper Dublin HS Fort Washington | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Fort Washington El Sch Fort Washington | 2.1 mi | 8.7 |
| OUR LADY OF MERCY REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Maple Glen | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Blue Bell El Sch Blue Bell | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| GWYNEDD FRIENDS SCHOOL North Wales | 2.7 mi | — |
| GWYNEDD FRIENDS SCHOOL North Wales | 2.7 mi | — |
| WHITEMARSH MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Blue Bell | 3.0 mi | — |
| WHITEMARSH MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Blue Bell | 3.0 mi | — |
| Maple Glen El Sch Maple Glen | 2.5 mi | 9.2 |
| North Wales El Sch North Wales | 3.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Gwyn-Nor El Sch North Wales | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Jarrettown El Sch Dresher | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| GODDARD SCHOOL Montgomeryville | 4.4 mi | — |
| Pennbrook MS North Wales | 4.1 mi | 7.7 |
| CARSON VALLEY CHILDRENS AID Flourtown | 4.6 mi | 8.1 |
| THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Dresher | 3.7 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$140,070
Median Home Value
$558,800
Median Rent
$1,605/mo
Population
31,681
College Educated
67.4%
Homeownership
79.7%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Median Age
44.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lower Gwynedd EL Sch has a median household income of $140,070. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $558,800, with a median rent of $1,605/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Bear Creek Community CS Bear Creek Township, PA | 6.5 |
| Blue Mountain El East School Orwigsburg, PA | 6.5 |
| Buckingham El Sch Buckingham, PA | 6.5 |
| Caley El Sch King Of Prussia, PA | 6.5 |
| Chester Upland Sch of Arts Chester, PA | 6.5 |
| Elk Ridge School Oxford, PA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lower Gwynedd EL Sch
What grades does Lower Gwynedd EL Sch serve?
Lower Gwynedd EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Lower Gwynedd EL Sch?
Lower Gwynedd EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 647 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lower Gwynedd EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Lower Gwynedd EL Sch is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lower Gwynedd EL Sch rank in PA?
Lower Gwynedd EL Sch is ranked #1321 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Lower Gwynedd EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Lower Gwynedd EL Sch has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Lower Gwynedd EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lower Gwynedd EL Sch has 76.5% math proficiency and 78.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lower Gwynedd EL Sch a charter school?
No, Lower Gwynedd EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lower Gwynedd EL Sch a Title I school?
No, Lower Gwynedd EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lower Gwynedd EL Sch?
19.0% of students at Lower Gwynedd EL Sch 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (846/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ambler). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 647
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Montgomery County
- Phone
- (215) 619-8100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wissahickon SD- District Enrollment
- 5,187
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,655
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
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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