Merion Elementary School

Summary:

Merion Elementary School is a highly-ranked public elementary school serving grades K-4 in Merion Station, Pennsylvania, part of the acclaimed Lower Merion School District. This exceptional institution consistently outperforms state and district averages, making it one of the top-performing elementary schools in Pennsylvania.

Merion Elementary School's academic excellence is evident across key metrics. In the 2023-2024 school year, 88.1% of Merion students were proficient or better in PSSA Math, compared to 80.6% for the Lower Merion School District and 40.4% for the state of Pennsylvania. Similarly, 91.3% of Merion students were proficient or better in PSSA English Language Arts, compared to 84.8% for the district and 53% for the state. Merion also excels in the performance of various student subgroups, ranking 5th out of 1,229 Pennsylvania elementary schools for White students and 5th out of 1,084 for students with disabilities.

The contrast between Merion Elementary School and nearby Philadelphia City schools is stark. While Merion and other Lower Merion School District schools rank within the top 100 elementary schools in Pennsylvania, the nearby Philadelphia City schools, such as Mastery Charter School - Mann Campus and Lewis C Cassidy Academics Plus School, have significantly lower academic performance, with proficiency rates well below the state averages. This highlights the significant disparities in educational outcomes between the two school districts.


Detail:

Public K-4

 549 S Bowman Ave
       Merion Station, PA  19066-1418


(610) 645-1470

District: Lower Merion School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
18th of 1,526 Pennsylvania Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $27,416 Help


Students who attend Merion Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Bala-Cynwyd Middle School
High:    Lower Merion High School

Student/teacher ratio:  11.6 Help
Number of students:  446

Racial breakdown:

White:
64.3%
Asian:
13.9%
Two or more races:
11.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  13.2% Help


 See top rated Pennsylvania elementary schools

 Compare Merion Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Merion Elementary School ranks better than 98.8% of elementary schools in Pennsylvania. It also ranks 2nd among 6 ranked elementary schools in the Lower Merion School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 93.84. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (64.3%), Asian (13.9%), two or more races (11.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 13.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Merion Elementary School is 11.6, which is the 3rd best among 6 elementary schools in the Lower Merion School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Merion Elementary School employs 38.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Merion Elementary School is $27,416, which is the 3rd highest among 6 elementary schools in the Lower Merion School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Merion Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Merion Elementary School 18th of 1526 Pennsylvania public elementary schools. (See Merion Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Male students:
Asian students:
White students:


Lower Merion School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Lower Merion School District 7th of 610 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Merion Elementary School?

Rank History for Merion Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Merion Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 90.42 68th 1302 94.8%
2004 79.85 253rd 1308 80.7%
2005 86.63 52nd 1299 96.0%
2006 83.64 122nd 1545 92.1%
2007 87.68 45th 1555 97.1%
2008 87.10 43rd 1551 97.2%
2009 86.35 42nd 1549 97.3%
2010 84.83 69th 1579 95.6%
2011 85.89 50th 1597 96.9%
2012 84.22 83rd 1599 94.8%
2013 88.56 11th 1519 99.3%
2014 90.52 3rd 1467 99.8%
2015 94.82 2nd 1474 99.9%
2016 93.57 6th 1554 99.6%
2017 93.94 4th 1547 99.7%
2018 92.11 26th 1530 98.3%
2019 92.40 19th 1544 98.8%
2021 95.44 7th 1433 99.5%
2022 95.78 3rd 1534 99.8%
2023 94.32 17th 1534 98.9%
2024 93.84 18th 1526 98.8%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Merion Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 94.08 8th 117 93.2%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Merion Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 76.37 253rd 1432 82.3%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Merion Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 90.76 51st 1488 96.6%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Merion Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 99.61 2nd 1043 99.8%
2024 98.85 5th 1084 99.5%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Merion Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 94.61 8th 1495 99.5%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Merion Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 77.17 33rd 160 79.4%
2024 71.56 58th 168 65.5%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for White students at Merion Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 94.62 12th 1236 99.0%
2024 95.11 5th 1229 99.6%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Pennsylvania Dept 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.

Merion Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Pennsylvania Dept of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
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50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, June 15, 2018

Open Quote This school is exemplary. The passion and purpose led by indefatigable principal Anne Heffron is remarkable. Teachers, like Mrs. Whalon and Mrs. Green helped my daughter, who came from another school mid-year, thrive academically and socially. I cannot commend them enough for their outstanding efforts. This school is run far better than some Quaker schools in the area. Bravo from a grateful parent. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Open Quote This school is led by an outstanding principal and has dedicated, experienced teachers. They go above and beyond to provide a very strong education. By fourth and fifth grade, the kids are really pushed to achieve excellence in math, reading, and writing. The school community is very strong with very involved families. Close Quote


by a citizen
Thursday, December 6, 2012

Open Quote Former Merion Elementary student here... I had a horrific experience at Merion as a child with Asperger's; I should have been recognized for my gifts, but instead I was shut away in Learning Support classes. The school refused to re-test me for years and years for their gifted program, Challenge. As an adult I am extremely insecure and damaged because of the trauma inflicted on me between kindergarten and 5th grade.

If you are the parent of a child with Asperger's or High Functioning Autism, you should absolutely NOT send your child to Merion Elementary, because Merion Elementary will not recognize or positively reinforce their unique gifts. They will only be seen as problem children to be tolerated at best and ostracized at worst.

I will never forgive Merion for excluding me from the gifted program DESPITE the fact that I was reading Vonnegut in 4th grade and Orwell in 5th. What happened to me there was inexcusable, and I cannot stand by and let the same thing happen to other children.

Merion has a very, very bad reputation in the Behavioral Health Field. It's a shame, since they're usually considered such a high-performing school. They're proud of their kids... as long as they fit in. But if your child is High Functioning Autistic, or has Asperger's, forget it. Fight for an out of district placement. Your child will love you for it. Close Quote


by a citizen
Thursday, December 6, 2012

Open Quote Do not send a child with Asperger's or High Functioning Autism to this school. Fight for an out-of-district placement. LMSD has a horrible reputation in the mental health field, particularly where it comes to education (miseducating) persons like myself with Asperger's. I was made to attend learning support when I should have been in the Gifted Program. But obviously LMSD doesn't understand the principle of positive reinforcement. Do not send Aspie students to this school. It will only traumatize them.

I am a former student and survivor of their wretched approach to mental health (send all the kids with emotional problems and learning disorders to the same resource room). It was humiliating and not an experience I would wish on my worst enemy. Sure, LMSD gets great reviews, but don't be fooled. This school has no idea how to handle learning differences except by labeling them as disabilities. Close Quote


by a student
Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Open Quote I was a student at Merion Elementary. I had Asperger's and emotional problems. I was subjected to the trauma of being held back in Kindergarten because they got rid of the Pre-K program that would have been perfect for me and my parents stupidly didn't look into other options. For years after that, my IEP said "Emotional Support," but that was a lie. Really, I was made to go to Learning Support classes despite getting straight As in pretty much everything except gym class from 2nd or 3rd grade on. In addition to this, I read Vonnegut in 4th grade and had a higher vocabulary than most of my teachers, and YET I was still excluded from the Gifted Program ("Challenge"), which would have provided me with a boost of confidence I desperately needed. The result was a life of trauma and missed opportunity. I hold Merion Elementary School personally responsible for everything that's gone wrong in my life since I left its uncaring clutches.

If your child has HFA (High Functioning Autism) or Asperger's, avoid Merion Elementary like the Black Plague. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Merion Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 439 24 14 3 0 n/a n/a 0 480
1989 442 19 17 2 0 n/a n/a 0 480
1990 493 24 22 4 0 n/a n/a 0 543
1991 526 23 24 2 0 n/a n/a 0 575
1992 567 22 17 6 0 n/a n/a 0 612
1993 580 25 28 7 0 n/a n/a 0 640
1994 628 22 28 3 0 n/a n/a 0 681
1995 541 14 23 5 0 n/a n/a 0 583
1996 541 14 23 5 0 n/a n/a 0 583
1997 537 15 14 5 0 n/a n/a 0 571
1998 528 16 28 9 0 n/a n/a 0 581
1999 507 17 31 12 0 n/a n/a 0 567
2000 474 24 32 13 0 n/a n/a 0 543
2001 468 21 29 6 0 n/a n/a 0 524
2002 397 21 31 6 0 n/a n/a 0 455
2003 397 21 31 6 0 n/a n/a 0 455
2004 368 12 33 6 0 n/a n/a 0 419
2005 396 10 40 1 0 n/a n/a 0 447
2006 402 14 46 1 0 n/a n/a 0 463
2007 386 13 60 1 0 n/a n/a 0 460
2008 390 16 59 2 0 n/a n/a 0 467
2009 389 15 63 4 0 n/a n/a 4 475
2010 396 14 71 5 0 n/a n/a 6 492
2011 388 14 71 7 0 0 13 0 493
2012 396 21 82 15 0 0 12 0 526
2013 406 26 86 17 0 0 16 0 551
2014 404 21 83 19 0 0 21 0 548
2015 412 16 83 20 0 2 28 0 561
2016 426 22 96 28 0 1 41 0 614
2017 420 25 101 27 0 1 36 0 610
2018 395 31 104 25 0 1 46 0 602
2019 384 25 95 23 0 0 49 0 576
2020 414 28 95 28 0 0 61 0 626
2021 380 21 95 23 0 0 60 0 579
2022 352 22 85 24 0 0 61 0 544
2023 287 21 62 25 0 0 51 0 446

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 Merion Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 480 30.4 15.7 n/a
1989 480 33.3 14.4 n/a
1990 543 31.5 17.2 0
1991 575 34.6 16.6 n/a
1992 612 32.3 18.9 n/a
1993 640 37.0 17.3 n/a
1994 681 36.0 18.9 n/a
1995 583 36.5 16.0 n/a
1996 583 36.5 16.0 n/a
1997 571 38.0 15.0 n/a
1998 581 39.9 14.6 n/a
1999 567 37.0 15.3 n/a
2000 543 38.0 14.3 2
2001 524 37.0 14.2 1.3
2002 455 37.5 12.1 1.8
2003 455 37.5 12.1 1.8
2004 419 34.7 12.1 1.9
2005 447 35.5 12.6 1.8
2006 463 35.0 13.2 3.5
2007 460 36.0 12.8 4.6
2008 467 39.9 11.7 3.4
2009 475 40.2 11.8 5.7
2010 492 37.8 13.0 6.6
2011 493 36.8 13.3 5.1
2012 526 37.5 14.0 6.1
2013 551 38.7 14.2 4.2
2014 548 39.8 13.7 4.7
2015 561 38.0 14.7 5.9
2016 614 43.0 14.2 8
2017 610 46.3 13.1 8.9
2018 602 43.1 13.9 9.8
2019 576 45.8 12.5 8
2020 626 47.3 13.2 10.5
2021 579 46.5 12.4 9.7
2022 544 46.5 11.6 9.9
2023 446 38.3 11.6 13.2

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 Merion Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 480 30.4 15.7 n/a
1989 480 33.3 14.4 n/a
1990 543 31.5 17.2 0
1991 575 34.6 16.6 n/a
1992 612 32.3 18.9 n/a
1993 640 37.0 17.3 n/a
1994 681 36.0 18.9 n/a
1995 583 36.5 16.0 n/a
1996 583 36.5 16.0 n/a
1997 571 38.0 15.0 n/a
1998 581 39.9 14.6 n/a
1999 567 37.0 15.3 n/a
2000 543 38.0 14.3 2
2001 524 37.0 14.2 1.3
2002 455 37.5 12.1 1.8
2003 455 37.5 12.1 1.8
2004 419 34.7 12.1 1.9
2005 447 35.5 12.6 1.8
2006 463 35.0 13.2 3.5
2007 460 36.0 12.8 4.6
2008 467 39.9 11.7 3.4
2009 475 40.2 11.8 5.7
2010 492 37.8 13.0 6.6
2011 493 36.8 13.3 5.1
2012 526 37.5 14.0 6.1
2013 551 38.7 14.2 4.2
2014 548 39.8 13.7 4.7
2015 561 38.0 14.7 5.9
2016 614 43.0 14.2 8
2017 610 46.3 13.1 8.9
2018 602 43.1 13.9 9.8
2019 576 45.8 12.5 8
2020 626 47.3 13.2 10.5
2021 579 46.5 12.4 9.7
2022 544 46.5 11.6 9.9
2023 446 38.3 11.6 13.2

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 Merion Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $163 (0.7%) $22,451 (99.3%) $22,614
2020 $124 (0.5%) $22,893 (99.5%) $23,018
2021 $301 (1.2%) $25,732 (98.8%) $26,033
2022 $263 (1.0%) $27,153 (99.0%) $27,416

Data source: Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Merion Elementary School

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 19th of 1544 Elementary schoolsRanks 17th of 1534 Elementary schools
 0.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (Merion Elementary School)84.389.7
 5.4%
   3rd Grade Math (Pennsylvania)5651.7
 4.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Merion Elementary School)85.683.4
 2.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)61.954
 7.9%
4th Grade Math (Merion Elementary School)85.390.6
 5.3%
   4th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)46.246.5
 0.3%
4th Grade Science (Merion Elementary School)98.998.8
 0.1%
   4th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)77.874.1
 3.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Merion Elementary School)93.690.4
 3.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)63.651.8
 11.8%
5th Grade Math (Merion Elementary School)87.393
 5.7%
   5th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)4335.5
 7.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Merion Elementary School)9495.2
 1.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)58.553.6
 4.9%
All Grades Math (Merion Elementary School)85.690.1
 4.5%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (Merion Elementary School)98.998.8
 0.1%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Merion Elementary School)90.986.6
 4.3%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)60.953.8
 7.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students576446
 22.6%
African American2521
 16%
American Indian00
Asian9562
 34.7%
Hispanic2325
 8.7%
Pacific Islander00
White384287
 25.3%
Two or More Races4951
 4.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients8%13.2%
 5.2%


Schools Near Merion Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Merion Elementary School

Students who attend Merion Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Bala-Cynwyd Middle School
High : Lower Merion High School

Students at Merion Elementary School are 64% White, 14% Asian, 11% Two or more races, 6% Hispanic, 5% African American.

Yes! Merion Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 18th of 1526 Pennsylvania elementary schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 446 students attended Merion Elementary School.


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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.





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