Downingtown STEM Academy

Summary:

Downingtown STEM Academy is a high-performing public high school in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, serving grades 9-12 and part of the Downingtown Area School District. The school has consistently been ranked among the top high schools in Pennsylvania, currently ranking 3rd out of 686 high schools in the state.

Downingtown STEM Academy stands out for its exceptional academic performance, with over 98% of students proficient or better in Keystone Exams for Algebra I, Biology, and Literature - significantly higher than the district and state averages. The school also performs strongly across different student subgroups, indicating an equitable education. With a four-year graduation rate over 95% and a very low dropout rate of 0.1-1.6%, Downingtown STEM Academy's outcomes are significantly better than surrounding high schools and the state average. While the school has a relatively low percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, around 5%, it spends approximately $17,000 per student, higher than the state average and nearby high schools.

Downingtown STEM Academy's consistent high performance over the past decade is a testament to the dedication of its students, teachers, and administrators, as well as the support of the Downingtown Area School District. The district is home to several other high-performing high schools, such as Downingtown High School East Campus and Downingtown High School West Campus, suggesting a strong focus on delivering a high-quality education. While Downingtown STEM Academy is exceptional, other nearby districts, such as Unionville-Chadds Ford and West Chester Area, also have high-performing high schools, highlighting the strong educational opportunities available in the broader region.

Detail:

Public 9-12

335 Manor Ave
Downingtown, PA 19335

(610) 269-8460

District: Downingtown Area School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
3^rd of 686 Pennsylvania High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $17,679

Student/teacher ratio: 13.9

Number of students: 924

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.0%

Asian:

41.7%

Two or more races:

4.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 5.8%

See top rated Pennsylvania high schools

Compare Downingtown STEM Academy to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Downingtown STEM Academy ranks better than 99.6% of high schools in Pennsylvania. It also ranks first among 3 ranked high schools in the Downingtown Area School District! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 99.01. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Downingtown STEM Academy who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Student Body

Compare Details Downingtown STEM Academy has the smallest high school student body size in the Downingtown Area School District. Racial makeup is: White (50%), Asian (41.7%), two or more races (4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 5.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Downingtown Area School District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Downingtown STEM Academy is 13.9, which is the highest among 3 high schools in the Downingtown Area School District! (See more...)

Compare Downingtown STEM Academy employs 66.3 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Downingtown STEM Academy is $17,679. 1 high schools in the Downingtown Area School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Downingtown STEM Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Downingtown STEM Academy 3^rd of 686 Pennsylvania public high schools. (See Downingtown STEM Academy in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

Asian students:

White students:

Downingtown Area School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Downingtown Area School District 25^th of 610 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Downingtown STEM Academy

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Rank History for all students at Downingtown STEM Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	PA State Percentile
2013	96.93	1^st	591	99.8%
2014	96.47	1^st	580	99.8%
2015	95.42	1^st	680	99.9%
2016	93.53	1^st	677	99.9%
2017	94.88	2^nd	663	99.7%
2018	94.79	1^st	673	99.9%
2019	95.35	1^st	693	99.9%
2022	96.43	2^nd	634	99.7%
2023	98.77	1^st	674	99.9%
2024	99.01	3^rd	686	99.6%

See the entire list of Pennsylvania High School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Downingtown STEM Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	PA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	99.91	2^nd	664	99.7%

See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Downingtown STEM Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	PA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	98.03	2^nd	665	99.7%

See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Downingtown STEM Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	PA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	99.35	2^nd	662	99.7%

See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Downingtown STEM Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	PA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	89.33	2^nd	112	98.2%
2024	87.76	3^rd	121	97.5%

See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for White students at Downingtown STEM Academy

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	PA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	99.08	1^st	577	99.8%
2024	99.14	3^rd	595	99.5%

See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Pennsylvania Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.5)

75%

25%

Reviews:

by a citizen
Tuesday, November 26, 2019

It's not difficult to rank first in the state when you reject over half (250 of 450) of all student applicants every year, as the academy's website discloses. Ranking magnet schools with traditional schools that must accept every child tips the playing field dramatically. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, May 1, 2017

Best preparation for college that a child can have. Close Quote

by a student
Friday, September 30, 2016

This school has a wonderful community, challenging curriculum, and a wide range of activities for students like me! Close Quote

Enrollment information for Downingtown STEM Academy

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2012	345	4	55	9	0	1	414
2013	502	10	74	11	0	1	598
2014	631	10	104	16	0	2	763
2015	628	11	116	24	1	7	787
2016	613	12	130	27	0	7	789
2017	569	12	176	25	0	9	791
2018	539	17	221	28	0	10	815
2019	523	14	254	21	0	7	819
2020	485	16	294	19	0	11	825
2021	468	17	323	22	1	24	855
2022	469	15	350	19	1	29	883
2023	462	18	385	21	1	37	924

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Downingtown STEM Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2012	414	30.0	13.8	0.7
2013	598	44.2	13.5	1.2
2014	763	54.8	13.9	1.4
2015	787	56.0	14.0	3.3
2016	789	58.0	13.6	3.7
2017	791	55.9	14.1	n/a
2018	815	58.7	13.8	n/a
2019	819	58.5	13.9	3.1
2020	825	62.1	13.2	n/a
2021	855	64.3	13.2	4.4
2022	883	64.5	13.6	4.2
2023	924	66.3	13.9	5.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Downingtown STEM Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2012	414	30.0	13.8	0.7
2013	598	44.2	13.5	1.2
2014	763	54.8	13.9	1.4
2015	787	56.0	14.0	3.3
2016	789	58.0	13.6	3.7
2017	791	55.9	14.1	n/a
2018	815	58.7	13.8	n/a
2019	819	58.5	13.9	3.1
2020	825	62.1	13.2	n/a
2021	855	64.3	13.2	4.4
2022	883	64.5	13.6	4.2
2023	924	66.3	13.9	5.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Downingtown STEM Academy

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$68 (0.4%)	$15,451 (99.6%)	$15,520
2020	$129 (0.8%)	$15,775 (99.2%)	$15,904
2021	$145 (0.9%)	$16,737 (99.1%)	$16,882
2022	$214 (1.2%)	$17,465 (98.8%)	$17,679

Data source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Downingtown STEM Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 1^st of 693 High schools	Ranks 1^st of 674 High schools	0%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
11th Grade Algebra I (Downingtown STEM Academy)	100	100
11th Grade Algebra I (Pennsylvania)	63.3	34.1	29.2%
11th Grade Biology (Downingtown STEM Academy)	100	99.6	0.4%
11th Grade Biology (Pennsylvania)	63.2	50.7	12.5%
11th Grade Literature (Downingtown STEM Academy)	100	100
11th Grade Literature (Pennsylvania)	71.5	65.3	6.2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	819	924	12.8%
African American	14	18	28.6%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	254	385	51.6%
Hispanic	21	21
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	523	462	11.7%
Two or More Races	7	37	428.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	3.1%	5.8%	2.8%

Schools Near Downingtown STEM Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Keystone Exams Algebra I (2024)	Keystone Exams Biology (2024)	Keystone Exams Literature (2024)	PSSA Math (2024)				PSSA Science (2024)		PSSA English Language Arts (2024)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Keystone Exams Algebra I 11th Grade	Keystone Exams Biology 11th Grade	Keystone Exams Literature 11th Grade	PSSA Math 6th Grade	PSSA Math 7th Grade	PSSA Math 8th Grade	PSSA Math All Grades	PSSA Science 8th Grade	PSSA Science All Grades	PSSA English Language Arts 6th Grade	PSSA English Language Arts 7th Grade	PSSA English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSSA English Language Arts All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Downingtown STEM Academy	Public	9-12	335 Manor Ave	Downingtown	19335	Chester County	Downingtown Area School District	No	No	No	No	(610) 269-8460	924	66	13.9	5.8%	462 (50.0%)	18 (1.9%)	21 (2.3%)	385 (41.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	37 (4.0%)	99	3^rd of 686 public high schools	99.6%		98.8	1^st of 674 public high schools	99.9%	2	98.9	99.6	100.0											$17,679	$214	$17,465
Downingtown High School West Campus	Public	9-12	445 Manor Ave	Downingtown	19335	Chester County	Downingtown Area School District	No	No	No	No	(610) 269-4400	1,798	136	13.2	15.6%	1,456 (81.0%)	64 (3.6%)	128 (7.1%)	93 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.1%)	55 (3.1%)	86.1	70^th of 686 public high schools	89.8%		81.4	102^nd of 674 public high schools	84.9%	32	62.9	68.4	81.6											$17,030	$214	$16,816
Chester County Technical College High School - Brandywine Campus	Public	9-12	443 Boot Road	Downingtown	19335	Chester County	Chester County Technical College High School	No	No	No	No	(484) 593-5100	93	32	2.8		79 (84.9%)	1 (1.1%)	12 (12.9%)	1 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Downingtown High School East Campus	Public	9-12	50 Devon Drive	Exton	19341	Chester County	Downingtown Area School District	No	No	No	No	(610) 363-6400	1,702	128	13.2	15.2%	1,155 (67.9%)	52 (3.1%)	131 (7.7%)	281 (16.5%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	81 (4.8%)	87.8	56^th of 686 public high schools	91.8%		82.9	92^nd of 674 public high schools	86.4%	36	72.9	72.3	76.9											$18,259	$214	$18,046
Coatesville Area Senior High School	Public	10-12	1445 East Lincoln Highway	Coatesville	19320	Chester County	Coatesville Area School District	No	No	No	No	(610) 383-3730	1,412	81	17.5	79.7%	584 (41.4%)	394 (27.9%)	352 (24.9%)	15 (1.1%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	64 (4.5%)	16.5	574^th of 686 public high schools	16.3%		20.9	551^st of 674 public high schools	18.2%	23	12.6	20.6	49.4											$16,686	$733	$15,953
Achievement House Charter School	Public, Virtual, Charter	7-12	102 Pickering Way	Exton	19341	Chester County	Achievement House Charter School	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	(484) 615-6200	958	64	14.9		429 (44.8%)	303 (31.6%)	176 (18.4%)	20 (2.1%)	5 (0.5%)	5 (0.5%)	20 (2.1%)	5	640^th of 686 public high schools	6.7%		9.8	602^nd of 674 public high schools	10.7%	38	2.9	10.6	31.5		0.0	4.2	3.3	12.2	12.2		15.4	16.3	16.1	$12,103	$1,993	$10,110
West Chester Henderson High School	Public	9-12	400 Montgomery Ave	West Chester	19380	Chester County	West Chester Area School District	No	No	No	No	(484) 266-3300	1,429	94	15.1	16.1%	1,060 (74.2%)	64 (4.5%)	142 (9.9%)	128 (9.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.3%)	31 (2.2%)	86.6	67^th of 686 public high schools	90.2%		81.6	100^th of 674 public high schools	85.2%	33	60.2	76.2	78.7											$17,800	$313	$17,487
21st Century Cyber Charter School	Public, Virtual, Charter	6-12	1245 Wrights Lane	West Chester	19380	Chester County	21st Century Cyber Charter School	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	(484) 875-5400	1,239	58	21.1		822 (66.3%)	194 (15.7%)	106 (8.6%)	20 (1.6%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	94 (7.6%)	58	317^th of 686 public high schools	53.8%		60.7	288^th of 674 public high schools	57.3%	29	35.5	53.6	69.8	41.7	30.3	28.8	30.9	69.4	69.4	63.7	55.5	59.6	58.6	$15,782	$00	$15,782
West Chester East High School	Public	9-12	450 Ellis Ln	West Chester	19380	Chester County	West Chester Area School District	No	No	No	No	(484) 266-3800	1,251	90	13.9	20.1%	900 (71.9%)	76 (6.1%)	137 (11.0%)	95 (7.6%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	39 (3.1%)	81	108^th of 686 public high schools	84.3%		82.1	97^th of 674 public high schools	85.6%	11	52.4	66.1	81.1											$17,877	$272	$17,605
Great Valley High School	Public	9-12	225 North Phoenixville Pike	Malvern	19355	Chester County	Great Valley School District	No	No	No	No	(610) 889-1900	1,403	106	13.2	18.4%	804 (57.3%)	48 (3.4%)	183 (13.0%)	328 (23.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	39 (2.8%)	91.3	41^st of 686 public high schools	94.0%		85.7	74^th of 674 public high schools	89.0%	33	68.3	80.1	82.9											$20,037	$14	$20,023

Frequently Asked Questions about Downingtown STEM Academy

How many students attend Downingtown STEM Academy?

In the 2022-23 school year, 924 students attended Downingtown STEM Academy.

What is the racial makeup of Downingtown STEM Academy?

Students at Downingtown STEM Academy are 50% White, 42% Asian, 4% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic, 2% African American.

What district is Downingtown STEM Academy in?

Downingtown Area School District

Is Downingtown STEM Academy a good school?

Yes! Downingtown STEM Academy is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 3^rd of 686 Pennsylvania high schools.

Rate Downingtown STEM Academy!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.