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Excellent

#1 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 1% in state

Penn Valley Sch

Elementary School · Lower Merion SD

301 Righters Mill Rd, Narberth, PA 19072

Enrollment

500

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

9.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Narberth

#1 of 2

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#1 of 1,625

In district

#1 of 11

Lower Merion SD

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Penn Valley Sch

Penn Valley School is a public elementary school in Narberth, Pennsylvania, serving approximately 500 students in kindergarten through fourth grade. It holds a composite score of 9.7 out of 10, rated Exceptional across both academic performance and student growth. The numbers here are striking.

Penn Valley ranks first among 2,842 public schools in Pennsylvania, outperforming 100% of schools statewide — a standing that puts it at the top of every relevant comparison group, including all 1,625 elementary schools in the state. Academic scores sit at 9.7 and growth scores at 9.5, meaning students aren't just performing at a high level — they're continuing to make strong gains year over year. With a student-teacher ratio of 11.4 to 1, Penn Valley keeps class sizes tight relative to a 500-student enrollment.

That balance — a substantial school community with close instructional attention — likely contributes to the consistent results families see reflected in the data. For parents searching in the Lower Merion area, Penn Valley's position at the top of Pennsylvania's public elementary rankings makes it one of the clearest data-driven choices in the region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics9.7Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency89.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency88.6%
Math vs. State Avg+38.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+32.8 pts
Overall Proficiency89%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+21.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$30,131

Penn Valley Sch — Students at Penn Valley Sch score 89% 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

16.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 85.6%
School
State
47.0%
ELA Proficiency 87.8%
School
State
53.5%

Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
81%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
78%
ELA
86%
2024
Math
89.7%
ELA
88.7%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Penn Valley Sch Compares

See how Penn Valley Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.7/10
100th percentile in PA
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

301 Righters Mill Rd, Narberth, PA 19072

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Penn Valley Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Belmont Hills El Sch (rated 9.6/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Bala Cynwyd), with a very similar rating. Another option is Merion El Sch (rated 9.5/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Merion Station), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Gladwyne Sch (rated 9.2/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Gladwyne), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Narberth, see our Narberth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Welsh Valley MS Narberth 0.7 mi 9.2
MAIN LINE REFORM TEMPLE SCHOOL FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD Wynnewood 0.8 mi
ST MARGARET SCHOOL Narberth 0.9 mi 6.7
THE GATEWAY SCHOOL Wynnewood 0.8 mi
NOREEN COOK CENTER FOR ECE OF HAR ZION TEMPLE Penn Valley 1.0 mi
GAN CHABAD OF THE MAIN LINE Merion Station 1.0 mi
Lower Merion HS Ardmore 1.1 mi 9.0
Gladwyne Sch Gladwyne 1.1 mi 9.2
WALDRON MERCY ACADEMY Merion Station 1.2 mi 7.7
Merion El Sch Merion Station 1.5 mi 9.5
WETHERILL SCHOOL Gladwyne 1.5 mi
Bala-Cynwyd MS Bala Cynwyd 1.3 mi 9.3
THE GLADWYNE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Gladwyne 1.4 mi 6.8
Cynwyd Sch Bala Cynwyd 1.4 mi 8.3
CHILDRENS SCHOOL AT ST JOHNS Bala Cynwyd 1.5 mi
ANCONA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Wynnewood 1.7 mi
THE MESIVTA HIGH SCHOOL OF GREATER PHILA Bala Cynwyd 1.5 mi 7.0
TEMPLE BETH HILLEL-BETH EL EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Wynnewood 1.8 mi
Belmont Hills El Sch Bala Cynwyd 1.4 mi 9.6
ST KATHERINE SCHOOL Wynnewood 1.9 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19072 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$175,833

Median Home Value

$776,500

Median Rent

$1,956/mo

Population

10,352

College Educated

81.9%

Homeownership

72.4%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

2.3%

Median Age

45.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Penn Valley Sch has a median household income of $175,833. It is a well-educated community where 82% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $776,500, with a median rent of $1,956/month. The local poverty rate of 2.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Belmont Hills El Sch Bala Cynwyd, PA 9.6
L R Appleman El Sch Benton, PA 9.5
Merion El Sch Merion Station, PA 9.5
Edgewood El Sch Yardley, PA 9.4
Hosack El Sch Allison Park, PA 9.4
Ridge Park El Sch Conshohocken, PA 9.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Penn Valley Sch

What grades does Penn Valley Sch serve?

Penn Valley Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Penn Valley Sch?

Penn Valley Sch has an enrollment of approximately 500 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Penn Valley Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Penn Valley Sch is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Penn Valley Sch rank in PA?

Penn Valley Sch is ranked #1 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Penn Valley Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Penn Valley Sch has a composite rating of 9.7 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 Penn Valley Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penn Valley Sch has 85.6% math proficiency and 87.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Penn Valley Sch a charter school?

No, Penn Valley Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Penn Valley Sch a Title I school?

No, Penn Valley Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penn Valley Sch?

16.2% of students at Penn Valley 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,003/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Narberth). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
500
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Montgomery County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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