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Excellent

#153 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 5% in state

Swarthmore-rutledge Sch

Elementary School · Wallingford-Swarthmore SD

100 College Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081

Enrollment

551

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

8.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Swarthmore

#1 of 2

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#129 of 1,625

In district

#3 of 5

Wallingford-Swarthmore SD

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Swarthmore-rutledge Sch

Swarthmore-Rutledge School is a public elementary school in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, serving 551 students in kindergarten through 5th grade. It earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — placing it 76th out of 2,842 public schools statewide. That ranking puts it ahead of 97% of Pennsylvania schools, a margin that reflects sustained, high-level performance across both academic achievement and student growth.

Academic scores reach 9.5 out of 10, the strongest pillar of the school's profile. Growth scores follow at 8.6, indicating that students don't just arrive performing well — they keep advancing year over year. A student-teacher ratio of 13.8 to 1 supports the kind of individualized instruction that makes both outcomes possible across six grade levels.

Among the two public schools in Swarthmore, Swarthmore-Rutledge ranks first. Statewide, it places 66th out of 1,625 Pennsylvania elementary schools — a top 5% result that holds up against the full breadth of the state's public school system. For families prioritizing both academic excellence and demonstrated student growth, this school is one of the stronger options in the state.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency87%
Math vs. State Avg+32.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+31.2 pts
Overall Proficiency86%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+15.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,507

Swarthmore-rutledge Sch — Students at Swarthmore-rutledge Sch score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

11.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 82.7%
School
State
46.0%
ELA Proficiency 86.9%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
82%
ELA
90%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
83%
2024
Math
84.2%
ELA
87%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Swarthmore-rutledge Sch Compares

See how Swarthmore-rutledge Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.7/10
95th percentile in PA
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
11%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

100 College Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Swarthmore-rutledge Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wallingford El Sch (rated 8.8/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Wallingford), with a very similar rating. Another option is Grace Park El Sch (rated 7.5/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Amosland El Sch (rated 7.2/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Morton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Swarthmore, see our Swarthmore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
GEOGE CROTHERS MEMORIAL SCHOOL Swarthmore 0.8 mi 8.3
Sabold El Sch Springfield 0.9 mi 6.9
MILAGRE KIDS SCHOOL Swarthmore 1.1 mi
MILAGRE KIDS SCHOOL Swarthmore 1.1 mi
NOTRE DAME DE LOURDES SCHOOL Swarthmore 1.2 mi 6.5
Ridley HS Folsom 1.1 mi 5.4
Grace Park El Sch Swarthmore 1.3 mi 7.5
Edgewood El Sch Folsom 1.1 mi 4.4
Richardson MS Springfield 1.4 mi 7.7
Springfield Literacy Center Springfield 1.5 mi 4.2
Strath Haven MS Wallingford 1.4 mi 8.4
Springfield HS Springfield 1.7 mi 6.9
Wallingford El Sch Wallingford 1.4 mi 8.8
Strath Haven HS Wallingford 1.5 mi 8.7
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Springfield 1.8 mi 5.8
Woodlyn El Sch Woodlyn 1.9 mi 6.0
MOTHER OF PROVIDENCE REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Wallingford 1.8 mi 6.4
ST JAMES REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ridley Park 1.9 mi 6.0
Amosland El Sch Morton 1.6 mi 7.2
Ridley MS Ridley Park 2.0 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19081 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$129,973

Median Home Value

$333,600

Median Rent

$1,452/mo

Population

10,363

College Educated

65.5%

Homeownership

81%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

5.5%

Median Age

35.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Swarthmore-rutledge Sch has a median household income of $129,973. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $333,600, with a median rent of $1,452/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Blair Mill Elementary Hatboro, PA 8.7
Canton Area El Sch Canton, PA 8.7
East Bradford El Sch West Chester, PA 8.7
East Petersburg El Sch East Petersburg, PA 8.7
Eisenhower El Sch Pittsburgh, PA 8.7
Fairfield Area El Sch Fairfield, PA 8.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Swarthmore-rutledge Sch

What grades does Swarthmore-rutledge Sch serve?

Swarthmore-rutledge Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Swarthmore-rutledge Sch?

Swarthmore-rutledge Sch has an enrollment of approximately 551 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Swarthmore-rutledge Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Swarthmore-rutledge Sch is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Swarthmore-rutledge Sch rank in PA?

Swarthmore-rutledge Sch is ranked #153 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Swarthmore-rutledge Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Swarthmore-rutledge Sch has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Swarthmore-rutledge Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swarthmore-rutledge Sch has 82.7% math proficiency and 86.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Swarthmore-rutledge Sch a charter school?

No, Swarthmore-rutledge Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Swarthmore-rutledge Sch a Title I school?

No, Swarthmore-rutledge Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swarthmore-rutledge Sch?

11.3% of students at Swarthmore-rutledge 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
64 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (750/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
551
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
11.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Delaware County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wallingford-Swarthmore SD
District Enrollment
3,707
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,293
District Rank
#3 of 5

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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