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Average

#1905 of 2,846 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

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,905 of 2,846

In Drexel Hill

#1 of 6

public schools

In district

#1 of 12

Upper Darby SD

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Upper Darby Shs

5.5/10

High School in Drexel Hill · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast HS

5.8/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Highland Park EL Sch

4.3/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Upper Darby Shs

Upper Darby Shs is a public high school in Drexel Hill, PA, part of Upper Darby SD. Upper Darby Shs serves approximately 4,231 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Upper Darby Shs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,905 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Upper Darby Shs show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts below PA schools
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • PA avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Upper Darby Shs is a large school: 4,231 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

40% of students at Upper Darby Shs 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.9% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-21.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.1 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness6.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate93%
AP Participation9.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,476
Chronic Absenteeism39.5%

Upper Darby Shs — Students at Upper Darby Shs score 33% proficient, which is below 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 51.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 58.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
64.0% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 28 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
54%
ELA
53%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
56%
2011
Math
54%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
68%
ELA
73%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
54%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
58%
ELA
68%
2016
Math
50%
ELA
64%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
63%
2018
Math
49%
ELA
59%
2019
Math
49%
ELA
59%
2020*
Math
46%
ELA
47%
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: 8.1/10.

How Upper Darby Shs Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
33th percentile in PA
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.8
Sports
22
11 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
236 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
9.6% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
11 boys'·11 girls'·39 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Penn Wood HS (rated 4.4/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Lansdowne), a more accessible option. 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 4.3
HOLY CHILD ACADEMY Drexel Hill 0.7 mi 9.0
Drexel Hill MS Drexel Hill 0.7 mi 3.0
Beverly Hills MS Upper Darby 0.7 mi 2.5
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 4.0
Ardmore Avenue El Sch Lansdowne 1.0 mi 4.7
ST ANDREW SCHOOL Drexel Hill 0.9 mi 6.4
Bywood El Sch Upper Darby 0.9 mi 4.3
Penn Wood HS Lansdowne 1.0 mi 4.4
LANSDOWNE FRIENDS SCHOOL Lansdowne 1.2 mi 7.8
Garrettford El Sch Drexel Hill 1.1 mi 4.5
ST BERNADETTE SCHOOL Drexel Hill 1.0 mi 6.9
Charles Kelly El Sch Drexel Hill 1.4 mi 3.7
SS. CYRIL & PHILOMENA SCHOOL Lansdowne 1.4 mi 6.3
Chatham Park El Sch Havertown 1.5 mi 8.5
East Lansdowne El Sch East Lansdowne 1.3 mi 5.0
Lewis C Cassidy Academics Plus Sch Philadelphia 1.6 mi 3.3

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Liberty HS Bethlehem, PA 5.1
Easton Area HS Easton, PA 6.0
Northeast HS Philadelphia, PA 6.0
Hazleton Area HS Hazle Township, PA 4.7
Emmaus HS Emmaus, PA 6.4
Neshaminy HS Langhorne, PA 6.5

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 ranks #1,905 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Upper Darby Shs's MySchoolScout rating?

Upper Darby Shs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Upper Darby Shs?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Upper Darby Shs has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.5%
4-Year Graduation
93.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

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