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Below Average

#2550 of 2,842 schools in PA

Upper Darby Shs

High School · Upper Darby SD

601 North Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA 19026

Enrollment

4,231

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

4.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Drexel Hill

#2 of 6

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#575 of 641

In district

#6 of 12

Upper Darby SD

Equity

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Upper Darby Shs

Upper Darby SHS serves 4,231 students in grades 9-12 in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, making it one of the larger high schools in Delaware County. With 236 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1, providing reasonable class sizes for individual attention. Academically, the school has room for growth, with 45% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 21% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

These results place Upper Darby SHS at #2358 among Pennsylvania's 2852 high schools, indicating significant opportunities for academic improvement and student development. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $85,121 and 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 8.0%, with median home values around $227,000, reflecting a stable middle-class environment.

Despite the academic challenges, the school's substantial size offers the potential for diverse programming and resources typical of larger institutions. The dedicated teaching staff works within a community that values education, as evidenced by the high percentage of college-educated residents. Upper Darby SHS sits in the heart of a large suburban area that provides students with access to both community resources and proximity to the greater Philadelphia metropolitan region.

What Parents Should Know

Upper Darby Shs is a large school with 4,231 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Math vs. State Avg+4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+13.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College Readiness5.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,828

Upper Darby Shs — Students at Upper Darby Shs score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 38.6%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
49%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
20.7%
ELA
44.9%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Upper Darby Shs Compares

See how Upper Darby Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
10th percentile in PA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
236 teachers

Location

601 North Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA 19026

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Upper Darby Shs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MONSIGNOR BONNER & ARCHBISHOP PRENDERGAST HS (rated 5.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Penn Wood HS (rated 5.1/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Lansdowne), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Drexel Hill, see our Drexel Hill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
MONSIGNOR BONNER & ARCHBISHOP PRENDERGAST HS Drexel Hill 0.4 mi 5.8
Highland Park El Sch Upper Darby 0.8 mi 5.3
HOLY CHILD ACADEMY Drexel Hill 0.7 mi 9.0
Drexel Hill MS Drexel Hill 0.7 mi 4.0
Beverly Hills MS Upper Darby 0.7 mi 4.0
9107 LITTLE FRIENDS ACADEMY INC Upper Darby 0.9 mi
Upper Darby Kdg Ctr Drexel Hill 0.8 mi 3.7
Hillcrest El Sch Drexel Hill 0.8 mi 4.5
Ardmore Avenue El Sch Lansdowne 1.0 mi 6.7
ST ANDREW SCHOOL Drexel Hill 0.9 mi 6.4
Bywood El Sch Upper Darby 0.9 mi 5.7
Penn Wood HS Lansdowne 1.0 mi 5.1
LANSDOWNE FRIENDS SCHOOL Lansdowne 1.2 mi 7.8
Garrettford El Sch Drexel Hill 1.1 mi 4.2
ST BERNADETTE SCHOOL Drexel Hill 1.0 mi 6.9
Charles Kelly El Sch Drexel Hill 1.4 mi 4.0
SS. CYRIL & PHILOMENA SCHOOL Lansdowne 1.4 mi 6.3
Chatham Park El Sch Havertown 1.5 mi 7.4
East Lansdowne El Sch East Lansdowne 1.3 mi 6.7
Lewis C Cassidy Academics Plus Sch Philadelphia 1.6 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19026 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,079

Median Home Value

$243,000

Median Rent

$1,316/mo

Population

32,749

College Educated

45.9%

Homeownership

66.7%

Avg Commute

31.3 min

Poverty Rate

7.9%

Median Age

36.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Upper Darby Shs has a median household income of $89,079. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $243,000, with a median rent of $1,316/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Liberty HS Bethlehem, PA 4.3
Neshaminy HS Langhorne, PA 4.7
Hazleton Area HS Hazle Township, PA 4.0
Abington SHS Abington, PA 5.0
Emmaus HS Emmaus, PA 3.8
Easton Area HS Easton, PA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Upper Darby Shs

What grades does Upper Darby Shs serve?

Upper Darby Shs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Upper Darby Shs?

Upper Darby Shs has an enrollment of approximately 4,231 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Upper Darby Shs?

The student-teacher ratio at Upper Darby Shs is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Upper Darby Shs rank in PA?

Upper Darby Shs is ranked #2550 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Upper Darby Shs's MySchoolScout rating?

Upper Darby Shs has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Upper Darby Shs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Upper Darby Shs has 38.6% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Upper Darby Shs a charter school?

No, Upper Darby Shs is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Upper Darby Shs a Title I school?

No, Upper Darby Shs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Upper Darby Shs?

100.0% of students at Upper Darby Shs 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
74 Very Walkable
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
4,231
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
236
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Delaware County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Upper Darby SD
District Enrollment
12,494
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,476
District Rank
#6 of 12

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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