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Downingtown, PennsylvaniaPhoto: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0
A+
Schools in Downingtown · Downingtown Area School District

Downingtown’s public schools outscore 96% of Pennsylvania districts

In Downingtown, 59% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Downingtown, 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.

#42of 1,037 Pennsylvania townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% 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
82%
▲ 27 pts vs PA 55%
2021–22
Math proficiency
59%
▲ 23 pts vs PA 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
96%
▲ 8 pts vs PA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.1K
▼ 17% vs PA $21.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.6
PA 13.4
Schools in town
7
5,957 students on the public path
In brief

Downingtown’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 82% and math 59% in spring 2022, against 55% and 36% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,143 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Bishop Shanahan High School (private) and Mission for Educating Children With Autism (private) are in town. Every school ↓

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 Downingtown’s grade

A+ Test scoresB+ Graduation

A+: better than 96% of Pennsylvania school districts, #42 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Pennsylvania school districts we grade (688)Better than 96%
Lower resultsHigher results
Pennsylvania towns with similar household incomes (1501)Better than 98%
AA+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 6,833 test results and a graduating class of 1,085 could put Downingtown anywhere from A to A+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Downingtown’s students in the tested grades sat them (6,685 in math, 6,981 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB+ to A
7–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressB+ to A
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressA+

Downingtown’s public schools are run by Downingtown Area School District, which also serves East Brandywine, East Caln, Upper Uwchlan and Uwchlan 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.

Downingtown Area School DistrictGrades K–12 · 16 schools · 13,047 students, up 1% since 2020–21 · 13.6 per teacher (PA 13.4)
$18,143PA $21,758 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading82%
State average 55.1% · 6981 students tested
Math59%
State average 36.1% · 6685 students tested

Downingtown vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DowningtownA+Downingtown Area
East CalnA+Downingtown Area
CalnC−Coatesville Area
West BradfordA+Downingtown Area

2 of the 3 neighbors share Downingtown Area with Downingtown, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Downingtown

9 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 Downingtownby address
East Ward El Sch
Elementary · Grades K–5
A
549 students14:1Rate it →
Beaver Creek El Sch
Elementary · Grades K–5
B+
531 students13:1Rate it →
Downingtown HS West Campus
High · Grades 9–12
A+
1,796 students13:1Rate it →
Downingtown STEM Academy
High · Grades 9–12
A+
962 students14:1Rate it →
Also serving Downingtownin other towns
Downingtown MS
Middle · Grades 7–8
B+
1,074 students13:1Rate it →
Lionville MS
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Exton
A
1,045 students14:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Downingtownrun by other districts or the state
Chester County Technical College High School - Brandywine
High · Grades 9–12
Career and Technical
75 students2:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Bishop Shanahan High School
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Catholic
876 students19:1Rate it →
Mission for Educating Children With Autism
Grades 6–12
Private · Special education
35 students1:1Rate it →

Questions about Downingtown’s schools

Are Downingtown’s schools good?

By Pennsylvania’s own tests, yes: the public schools Downingtown children attend outscore 96% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #42 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 98%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Downingtown in?

Downingtown Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 13,047 students in 16 schools (2024–25).

Where do Downingtown kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Downingtown HS West Campus and Downingtown STEM Academy.

What is Downingtown’s graduation rate?

96% of the class of 2023 in Downingtown Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.

How much does Downingtown spend per student?

$18,143 in Downingtown Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Downingtown?

Yes: Bishop Shanahan High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 876 students) and Mission for Educating Children With Autism (special education, grades 6–12, 35 students).

Parents talk

What Downingtown families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Downingtown → 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.