Summary:
The city of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania is home to two elementary schools: Swarthmore-Rutledge School and Grace Park Elementary School. These schools serve students in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District and the Ridley School District.
Swarthmore-Rutledge School stands out as a high-performing institution, consistently ranking among the top 30 elementary schools in Pennsylvania and earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. With over 80% of students proficient or better in core subjects, the school's academic performance significantly exceeds the state and district averages. In contrast, Grace Park Elementary School appears to be a more average-performing school, with a statewide ranking between 688 and 802 out of 1,534 Pennsylvania elementary schools in the past three years and a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.
The data reveals a substantial performance gap between the two schools, which may be influenced by factors such as student demographics and school resources. Swarthmore-Rutledge School serves a more affluent student population, with only 7.76% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, compared to 36.31% at Grace Park Elementary School. Additionally, despite Grace Park Elementary School having a higher spending per student, its academic performance lags behind Swarthmore-Rutledge School, suggesting that factors beyond just funding, such as school leadership and teacher quality, play a crucial role in a school's success.
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