Needs Improvement
#2662 of 2,846 schools in PA
Penn Wood MS
Middle School · William Penn SD
121 Summit St, Darby, PA 19023
Enrollment
635
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
3.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
635
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
3.5
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#2,662 of 2,846
In Darby
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#10 of 10
William Penn SD
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Penn Wood MS
Middle School in Darby · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Walnut Street EL Sch
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Park Lane EL Sch
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Penn Wood MS
Penn Wood MS is a public middle school in Darby, PA, part of William Penn SD. Penn Wood MS serves approximately 635 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Penn Wood MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,662 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Penn Wood MS show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- PA avg 5.4
What Parents Should Know
51% of students at Penn Wood MS were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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 34 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: 3.5/10.
How Penn Wood MS Compares
See how Penn Wood MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Vision Academy CS (rated 7.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Lansdowne), which scores notably higher. Another option is GREATER HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Philadelphia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SS. CYRIL & PHILOMENA SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Lansdowne), which scores notably 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 | 4.7 |
| Park Lane El Sch Darby | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Bell Avenue School Yeadon | 0.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Colwyn El Sch Colwyn | 0.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Philadelphia Montessori CS Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| GREATER HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Southwest Leadership Academy CS Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Penrose Sch Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Sharon Hill Sch Sharon Hill | 1.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Academy Park HS Sharon Hill | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| W B Evans El Sch Yeadon | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Penn Wood 9th Grade Academy Yeadon | 1.2 mi | — |
| Catharine Joseph Sch Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Patterson John M Sch Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Harris Sch Collingdale | 1.2 mi | 2.7 |
| SS. CYRIL & PHILOMENA SCHOOL Lansdowne | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Bartram John - Main Philadelphia | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| CHRIST ACADEMY Collingdale | 1.3 mi | — |
| Tilden William T MS Philadelphia | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Vision Academy CS Lansdowne | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Plum MS Pittsburgh, PA | 3.5 |
| Governor Mifflin MS Shillington, PA | 3.4 |
| Harrison-Morton MS Allentown, PA | 3.6 |
| Charles A Huston MS Lower Burrell, PA | 3.7 |
| Linton MS Pittsburgh, PA | 3.3 |
| Northeastern MS Mount Wolf, PA | 3.3 |
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 ranks #2,662 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Penn Wood MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Penn Wood MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Penn Wood MS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Penn Wood MS has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 51.2%
- Phone
- (610) 586-1804
Resources & Links
District
William Penn SD- District Enrollment
- 4,547
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,485
- District Rank
- #10 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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