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Excellent

#9 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 1% in state

Lower Merion HS

High School · Lower Merion SD

315 E Montgomery Ave, Ardmore, PA 19003

Enrollment

1,757

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

9.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#9 of 2,846

In Ardmore

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#5 of 11

Lower Merion SD

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Lower Merion HS

9.6/10

High School in Ardmore · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Lower Merion HS

Lower Merion HS is a public high school in Ardmore, PA, part of Lower Merion SD. Lower Merion HS serves approximately 1,757 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Lower Merion HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 out of 10 and ranks #9 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Lower Merion HS show 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 92% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

What's said publicly about Lower Merion HS

Sources: Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Lower Merion High School is a public high school located in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, within the Main Line suburbs of Philadelphia 1 . It is one of two high schools in the Lower Merion School District, the other being Harriton High School 1 . The school serves students from both Lower Merion Township and the Borough of Narberth 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 9.6 · Excellent
  • District avg 9.7
  • PA avg 6.6

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.7Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80.1% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency90.4% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+38.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.4 pts
Overall Proficiency85% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+19.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College Readiness9.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate96%
AP Participation44.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,428
Chronic Absenteeism16.3%

Lower Merion HS — Students at Lower Merion HS score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 86.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 91.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
64.0% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 26 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
84%
ELA
91%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
95%
2013
Math
88%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
92%
ELA
94%
2015
Math
90%
ELA
92%
2016
Math
81%
ELA
90%
2017
Math
82%
ELA
91%
2018
Math
87%
ELA
95%
2019
Math
87%
ELA
95%
2020*
Math
87%
2021*
Math
87%
2024
Math
80.1%
ELA
90.4%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Lower Merion HS Compares

See how Lower Merion HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.6/10
100th percentile in PA
Academic
9.7/10
Excellent
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
9.9/10
Excellent
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
147 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
44.4% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

315 E Montgomery Ave, Ardmore, PA 19003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lower Merion HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Penn Valley Sch (rated 9.6/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Narberth), with a very similar rating. Another option is Merion El Sch (rated 9.6/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Merion Station), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Penn Wynne Sch (rated 9.4/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Wynnewood), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ardmore, see our Ardmore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
MAIN LINE REFORM TEMPLE SCHOOL FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD Wynnewood 0.4 mi
REGINA ANGELORUM ACADEMY Ardmore 0.5 mi 7.4
FUSION ACADEMY - ARDMORE Ardmore 0.5 mi 7.9
ANCONA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wynnewood 0.7 mi
THE GATEWAY SCHOOL Wynnewood 0.8 mi
CASKEY TORAH ACADEMY OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA Wynnewood 0.8 mi 7.5
TEMPLE BETH HILLEL-BETH EL EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Wynnewood 1.2 mi
Penn Valley Sch Narberth 1.1 mi 9.6
ST MARGARET SCHOOL Narberth 1.0 mi 6.7
ST KATHERINE SCHOOL Wynnewood 1.4 mi 8.7
Penn Wynne Sch Wynnewood 1.6 mi 9.4
Gladwyne Sch Gladwyne 1.6 mi 9.3
Chestnutwold El Sch Ardmore 1.4 mi 8.5
Merion El Sch Merion Station 1.4 mi 9.6
PHEBE ANNA THORNE KINDERGARTEN Haverford 1.3 mi
THE GLADWYNE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Gladwyne 1.8 mi 6.8
GAN CHABAD OF THE MAIN LINE Merion Station 1.4 mi
FRIENDS SCHOOL HAVERFORD Haverford 1.6 mi 6.9
PERELMAN JEWISH DAY SCHOOL-STERN CENTER Wynnewood 2.0 mi 4.1
ROBERT J WILF PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Wynnewood 2.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$116,142

Median Home Value

$441,400

Median Rent

$1,602/mo

Population

14,411

College Educated

70.2%

Homeownership

63.8%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

36.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fox Chapel Area HS Pittsburgh, PA 9.6
Radnor SHS Radnor, PA 9.6
Upper Saint Clair HS Pittsburgh, PA 9.6
Garnet Valley HS Glen Mills, PA 9.4
Harriton SHS Rosemont, PA 9.8
Plymouth-Whitemarsh SHS Plymouth Meeting, PA 9.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lower Merion HS

What grades does Lower Merion HS serve?

Lower Merion HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Lower Merion HS?

Lower Merion HS has an enrollment of approximately 1,757 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lower Merion HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Lower Merion HS is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lower Merion HS rank in PA?

Lower Merion HS ranks #9 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Lower Merion HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Lower Merion HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 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 Lower Merion HS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lower Merion HS has 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 92% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Lower Merion HS a charter school?

No, Lower Merion HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lower Merion HS a Title I school?

No, Lower Merion HS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lower Merion HS?

20.9% of students at Lower Merion HS 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
70 Very Walkable
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,757
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
147
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Montgomery County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.3%
4-Year Graduation
96.0%

District

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

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