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Excellent

#38 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 1% in state

Welsh Valley MS

Middle School · Lower Merion SD

325 Tower Lane, Narberth, PA 19072

Enrollment

818

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

9.2

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Narberth

#2 of 2

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#4 of 514

In district

#8 of 11

Lower Merion SD

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Welsh Valley MS

Welsh Valley Middle School serves 818 students in grades 5 through 8 in Narberth, Pennsylvania. It operates as a regular public school with a student-teacher ratio of 10.1:1 — a tight classroom environment that gives students meaningfully more direct access to teachers than the average public middle school can offer. The school earns a composite score of 9.2/10, rated Exceptional, with academics at 9.1 and growth at 8.9.

That growth score carries real weight: it reflects how much students advance relative to their individual starting points, not just where they land on a test. Posting 8.9 on growth alongside 9.1 on academics signals that Welsh Valley delivers across both dimensions — achievement and momentum — rather than sacrificing one for the other. Those scores translate directly into state-level standing.

Welsh Valley ranks 4th among 514 public middle schools in Pennsylvania and 38th out of 2,842 public schools statewide, outperforming 99% of the state. For families comparing middle school options, that sustained performance across both achievement and growth metrics makes Welsh Valley one of the strongest choices in Pennsylvania.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81.8%
Math vs. State Avg+32.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.4 pts
Overall Proficiency79%
Expected (poverty-adj.)68%
vs. Expected+10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$30,131

Welsh Valley MS — Students at Welsh Valley MS score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 73.2%
School
State
37.0%
ELA Proficiency 81.9%
School
State
53.2%

Based on 14 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
72%
ELA
84%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
80%
2024
Math
75.4%
ELA
81.8%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Welsh Valley MS Compares

See how Welsh Valley MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.2/10
99th percentile in PA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
81 teachers

Location

325 Tower Lane, Narberth, PA 19072

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Welsh Valley MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Penn Valley Sch (rated 9.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Belmont Hills El Sch (rated 9.6/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Bala Cynwyd), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Merion El Sch (rated 9.5/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Merion Station), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Narberth, see our Narberth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
NOREEN COOK CENTER FOR ECE OF HAR ZION TEMPLE Penn Valley 0.6 mi
Penn Valley Sch Narberth 0.7 mi 9.7
Belmont Hills El Sch Bala Cynwyd 1.0 mi 9.6
Bala-Cynwyd MS Bala Cynwyd 1.3 mi 9.3
GAN CHABAD OF THE MAIN LINE Merion Station 1.4 mi
ST MARGARET SCHOOL Narberth 1.4 mi 6.7
Cynwyd Sch Bala Cynwyd 1.4 mi 8.3
WALDRON MERCY ACADEMY Merion Station 1.5 mi 7.7
WETHERILL SCHOOL Gladwyne 1.4 mi
Gladwyne Sch Gladwyne 1.3 mi 9.2
CHILDRENS SCHOOL AT ST JOHNS Bala Cynwyd 1.6 mi
THE GATEWAY SCHOOL Wynnewood 1.3 mi
MAIN LINE REFORM TEMPLE SCHOOL FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD Wynnewood 1.5 mi
Dobson James Sch Philadelphia 1.3 mi 8.9
Green Woods CS Philadelphia 1.5 mi 6.9
THE MESIVTA HIGH SCHOOL OF GREATER PHILA Bala Cynwyd 1.7 mi 7.0
Merion El Sch Merion Station 1.9 mi 9.5
Shawmont Sch Philadelphia 1.8 mi 8.2
THE GLADWYNE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Gladwyne 1.5 mi 6.8
AIM ACADEMY Conshohocken 2.0 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19072 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$175,833

Median Home Value

$776,500

Median Rent

$1,956/mo

Population

10,352

College Educated

81.9%

Homeownership

72.4%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

2.3%

Median Age

45.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Welsh Valley MS has a median household income of $175,833. It is a well-educated community where 82% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $776,500, with a median rent of $1,956/month. The local poverty rate of 2.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Bala-Cynwyd MS Bala Cynwyd, PA 9.3
Springton Lake MS Media, PA 9.0
Radnor MS Wayne, PA 9.5
Black Rock MS Villanova, PA 9.7
Boyce MS Pittsburgh, PA 8.6
Hershey MS Hershey, PA 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Welsh Valley MS

What grades does Welsh Valley MS serve?

Welsh Valley MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Welsh Valley MS?

Welsh Valley MS has an enrollment of approximately 818 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Welsh Valley MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Welsh Valley MS is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Welsh Valley MS rank in PA?

Welsh Valley MS is ranked #38 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Welsh Valley MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Welsh Valley MS has a composite rating of 9.2 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 Welsh Valley MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Welsh Valley MS has 73.2% math proficiency and 81.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Welsh Valley MS a charter school?

No, Welsh Valley MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Welsh Valley MS a Title I school?

No, Welsh Valley MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Welsh Valley MS?

17.0% of students at Welsh Valley 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,003/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
818
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
81
Free/Reduced Lunch
17.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Montgomery County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lower Merion SD
District Enrollment
8,518
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$31,428
District Rank
#8 of 11

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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