Excellent
#69 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 2% 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
9.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,757
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
9.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ardmore
#1 of 2
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#8 of 641
In district
#9 of 11
Lower Merion SD
School environment
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Lower Merion HS
Lower Merion High School is a regular public high school in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, serving grades 9 through 12 with an enrollment of 1,757 students. The school earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — placing it 8th among 641 public high schools in Pennsylvania and outperforming 98% of all public schools statewide. Academic performance is the standout metric, scoring 9.8 out of 10.
That near-perfect mark reflects consistently strong standardized test results across the building. A student-teacher ratio of 12.0 to 1 supports focused instruction at a scale that many large suburban schools don't match. Growth scores land at 6.5 out of 10 — solid, though the school's overall standing rests far more on its academic ceiling than on year-over-year acceleration.
For families prioritizing raw outcomes, the numbers speak clearly: Lower Merion ranks 69th out of 2,842 public schools in Pennsylvania, reaching a tier fewer than 3 in 100 schools statewide achieve. It is the top-ranked public school in Ardmore.
What's said publicly about Lower Merion HS
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Lower Merion HS — Students at Lower Merion HS score 91% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 5 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: 6.5/10.
How Lower Merion HS Compares
See how Lower Merion HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 87% (2019) to 87% (2021).
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 9.7/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Narberth), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Merion El Sch (rated 9.5/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Merion Station), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Gladwyne Sch (rated 9.2/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Gladwyne), 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 | 9.7 |
| 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 | 8.6 |
| Gladwyne Sch Gladwyne | 1.6 mi | 9.2 |
| Chestnutwold El Sch Ardmore | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Merion El Sch Merion Station | 1.4 mi | 9.5 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lower Merion HS has a median household income of $116,142. It is a well-educated community where 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $441,400, with a median rent of $1,602/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Garnet Valley HS Glen Mills, PA | 9.0 |
| Radnor SHS Radnor, PA | 8.9 |
| Fox Chapel Area HS Pittsburgh, PA | 8.8 |
| Pine-Richland HS Gibsonia, PA | 8.8 |
| Harriton SHS Rosemont, PA | 9.3 |
| State College Area HS State College, PA | 8.7 |
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 is ranked #69 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Lower Merion HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Lower Merion HS has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Merion HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lower Merion HS has 84.7% math proficiency and 92.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
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
- Phone
- (610) 645-1810
- 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
- #9 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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