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
Enrollment
4,231
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Upper Darby Shs — Students at Upper Darby Shs score 46% proficient, which is above 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 6 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: 2.6/10.
How Upper Darby Shs Compares
See how Upper Darby Shs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 46% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 47% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (610) 622-7000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Upper Darby SD- District Enrollment
- 12,494
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,476
- District Rank
- #6 of 12
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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