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DarbyMeeting2Photo: Smallbones at en.wikipedia · Public domain
C−
Schools in Darby · William Penn School District

Darby’s public schools score below 85% of Pennsylvania districts on tests and graduation

10% of students in Darby’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Darby, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Pennsylvania, not nationally.

#982of 1,037 Pennsylvania townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 91% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
30%
▼ 25 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
10%
▼ 26 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80%
▼ 8 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$22.8K
▲ 5% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.5
PA 13.4 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
2,374 students on the public path
In brief

Darby’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 30% of tested students were proficient in reading and 10% in math, against 55% and 36% statewide; 91% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $22,759 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Penn Wood MS, then Penn Wood HS. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Darby’s grade

C− Test scoresD Graduation

C−: better than 15% of Pennsylvania school districts, #982 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Both inputs trail the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 15%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (301)Better than 11%
DC−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,310 test results and a graduating class of 412 could put Darby anywhere from D to C−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 91% of Darby’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,228 in math, 2,392 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Darby, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–62 schoolsDepends on your addressD
7–8Penn Wood MSWilliam Penn School DistrictD
9–12Penn Wood HSin LansdowneC−

Darby’s public schools are run by William Penn School District, which also serves Aldan, Colwyn, East Lansdowne and Lansdowne and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

William Penn School DistrictGrades K–12 · 11 schools · 4,499 students, down 6% since 2020–21 · 12.5 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$22,759PA $21,758 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading30%
State average 55.1% · 2392 students tested
Math10%
State average 36.1% · 2228 students tested

Darby vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share Darby’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DarbyC−William Penn
YeadonC−William Penn
PhiladelphiaDPhiladelphia City
CollingdaleDSoutheast Delco
ColwynC−William Penn
Upper DarbyCUpper Darby

2 of the 5 neighbors share William Penn with Darby, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Darby

4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Pennsylvania’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Darbyby address
Park Lane El Sch
Elementary · Grades K–6
D
304 students12:1Rate it →
Walnut Street El Sch
Elementary · Grades K–6
D
255 students8:1Rate it →
Penn Wood MS
Middle · Grades 7–8
D
667 students13:1Rate it →
Also serving Darbyin other towns
Penn Wood HS
High · Grades 9–12 · Lansdowne
C−
1,148 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Darby’s schools

Are Darby’s schools good?

On Pennsylvania’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Darby children attend score below 85% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #982 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Darby in?

William Penn School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 4,499 students in 11 schools (2024–25).

Where do Darby kids go to high school?

Penn Wood HS in Lansdowne, with 1,148 students; its own test results earn a C−.

What is Darby’s graduation rate?

80% of the class of 2023 in William Penn School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does Darby spend per student?

$22,759 in William Penn School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Darby families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Darby → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Pennsylvania. Stars are from neighbors.