Average
#1168 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 41% in state
Penn Wood MS
Middle School · William Penn SD
121 Summit St, Darby, PA 19023
Enrollment
635
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
635
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Darby
#2 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#196 of 514
In district
#4 of 10
William Penn SD
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Penn Wood MS
Penn Wood MS is a middle school located in Darby, Pennsylvania, in the Delaware County area. It serves students in grades seven and eight with an enrollment of 635 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1. The school has 53 full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting its diverse student body.
Penn Wood MS operates as a regular public school, offering a range of educational programs for young adolescents. While the academic performance metrics indicate room for improvement—particularly in math proficiency—the dedicated staff works hard to foster an environment conducive to student development and growth. The MySchoolScout rating is 4.2 out of 10, placing it at the 26th percentile among Pennsylvania schools.
Penn Wood MS sits in a large suburban setting within Darby, providing a supportive community for its students. Despite challenges with test scores, the school remains focused on helping each student achieve their full potential and thrive academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Penn Wood MS are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Penn Wood MS — Students at Penn Wood MS score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How Penn Wood MS Compares
See how Penn Wood MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 7% (2019) to 7.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 28% (2019) to 28.5% (2024).
Location
121 Summit St, Darby, PA 19023
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penn Wood MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Park Lane El Sch (rated 7.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is W B Evans El Sch (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Yeadon), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Catharine Joseph Sch (rated 7.2/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Philadelphia), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Darby, see our Darby schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut Street El Sch Darby | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Park Lane El Sch Darby | 0.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Bell Avenue School Yeadon | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Colwyn El Sch Colwyn | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Philadelphia Montessori CS Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 3.9 |
| GREATER HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Southwest Leadership Academy CS Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Penrose Sch Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Sharon Hill Sch Sharon Hill | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Academy Park HS Sharon Hill | 1.0 mi | 4.8 |
| W B Evans El Sch Yeadon | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Penn Wood 9th Grade Academy Yeadon | 1.2 mi | — |
| Catharine Joseph Sch Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Patterson John M Sch Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Harris Sch Collingdale | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| SS. CYRIL & PHILOMENA SCHOOL Lansdowne | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Bartram John - Main Philadelphia | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| CHRIST ACADEMY Collingdale | 1.3 mi | — |
| Tilden William T MS Philadelphia | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Vision Academy CS Lansdowne | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,962
Median Home Value
$117,200
Median Rent
$1,240/mo
Population
22,636
College Educated
16.9%
Homeownership
51.7%
Avg Commute
33.9 min
Poverty Rate
27.6%
Median Age
34.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Penn Wood MS has a median household income of $48,962. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $117,200, with a median rent of $1,240/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Columbia MS Bloomsburg, PA | 6.8 |
| Highlands MS Natrona Heights, PA | 6.8 |
| Jackson MS Lancaster, PA | 6.8 |
| Marticville MS Pequea, PA | 6.8 |
| North Hills El Sch York, PA | 6.8 |
| Oil City Area MS Oil City, PA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penn Wood MS
What grades does Penn Wood MS serve?
Penn Wood MS serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Penn Wood MS?
Penn Wood MS has an enrollment of approximately 635 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penn Wood MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Penn Wood MS 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 Penn Wood MS rank in PA?
Penn Wood MS is ranked #1168 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Penn Wood MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Penn Wood MS has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Wood MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penn Wood MS has 6.8% math proficiency and 28.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Penn Wood MS a charter school?
No, Penn Wood MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penn Wood MS a Title I school?
No, Penn Wood MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penn Wood MS?
100.0% of students at Penn Wood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,467/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Darby). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 635
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Delaware County
- Phone
- (610) 586-1804
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
William Penn SD- District Enrollment
- 4,547
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,485
- District Rank
- #4 of 10
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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