Photo: Zoewscott · Public domainWest Chester’s public schools outscore 90% of Pennsylvania districts
On the state math tests, 52% of West Chester’s students scored proficient, above the Pennsylvania average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving West Chester, 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.
From Pennsylvania state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% 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.
West Chester’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 2007 Pennsylvania towns with household incomes within a quarter of West Chester’s, its schools beat 95%, higher than their 90% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 75% and math 52% in spring 2022, against 55% and 36% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,021 per student, against $21,758 across Pennsylvania (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then three middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Agnes Catholic School (private), West Chester Friends School (private) and Riverstone United Christian Academy (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.
What’s behind West Chester’s grade
A: better than 90% of Pennsylvania school districts, #155 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Pennsylvania average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve West Chester, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in West Chester · depends on your address
E N Peirce MS
Grades 6–8 · 1,040 students · 12:1 students per teacher
J R Fugett MS
Grades 6–8 · 930 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Stetson MS
Grades 6–8 · 808 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in West Chester · depends on your address
E N Peirce MS
Grades 6–8 · 1,040 students · 12:1 students per teacher
J R Fugett MS
Grades 6–8 · 930 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Stetson MS
Grades 6–8 · 808 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in West Chester · depends on your address
E N Peirce MS
Grades 6–8 · 1,040 students · 12:1 students per teacher
J R Fugett MS
Grades 6–8 · 930 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Stetson MS
Grades 6–8 · 808 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in West Chester · depends on your address
West Chester Henderson HS
Grades 9–12 · 1,444 students · 13:1 students per teacher
West Chester East HS
Grades 9–12 · 1,216 students · 13:1 students per teacher
West Chester Bayard Rustin HS
Grades 9–12 · 1,159 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in West Chester · depends on your address
West Chester Henderson HS
Grades 9–12 · 1,444 students · 13:1 students per teacher
West Chester East HS
Grades 9–12 · 1,216 students · 13:1 students per teacher
West Chester Bayard Rustin HS
Grades 9–12 · 1,159 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in West Chester · depends on your address
West Chester Henderson HS
Grades 9–12 · 1,444 students · 13:1 students per teacher
West Chester East HS
Grades 9–12 · 1,216 students · 13:1 students per teacher
West Chester Bayard Rustin HS
Grades 9–12 · 1,159 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in West Chester · depends on your address
West Chester Henderson HS
Grades 9–12 · 1,444 students · 13:1 students per teacher
West Chester East HS
Grades 9–12 · 1,216 students · 13:1 students per teacher
West Chester Bayard Rustin HS
Grades 9–12 · 1,159 students · 13:1 students per teacher
West Chester’s public schools are run by West Chester Area School District, which also serves East Bradford, East Goshen, Thornbury and Thornbury 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.
Well above the state in reading
West Chester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Pennsylvania towns that share West Chester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| West Chester | A | West Chester Area |
| West Goshen | A | West Chester Area |
| East Bradford | A | West Chester Area |
All 2 neighbors share West Chester Area with West Chester, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in West Chester
20 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).
Questions about West Chester’s schools
Are West Chester’s schools good?
By Pennsylvania’s own tests, yes: the public schools West Chester children attend outscore 90% of Pennsylvania’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #155 of 1,037 Pennsylvania towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 95%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is West Chester in?
West Chester Area School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 11,987 students in 17 schools (2024–25).
Where do West Chester kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: West Chester Henderson HS, West Chester East HS and West Chester Bayard Rustin HS.
What is West Chester’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in West Chester Area School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Pennsylvania.
How much does West Chester spend per student?
$19,021 in West Chester Area School District (FY2024), against $21,758 across Pennsylvania. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in West Chester?
Yes: St. Agnes Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 366 students), West Chester Friends School (religious, grades PK–5, 124 students) and Riverstone United Christian Academy (religious, grades 6–11, 25 students).
Parents talk
What West Chester families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near West Chester → 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.