Penn Valley School

Summary:

Penn Valley School is a highly-regarded public elementary school serving grades K-4 in the Lower Merion School District in Narberth, PA, with 514 students and a consistently strong academic performance.

Penn Valley School consistently outperforms state and district averages on standardized tests, with 84.1% of students proficient or better in Math in 2022-2023, compared to 80% for the Lower Merion School District and 39.3% for the state of Pennsylvania. The school also excels in supporting the academic achievement of various student subgroups, ranking 5th out of 117 Pennsylvania elementary schools for its performance with multi-racial students and 27th out of 1,043 schools for its performance with disabled students. While the student population is predominantly White (61.67%), Penn Valley School maintains a relatively diverse student body, with 8.75% African American, 10.31% Hispanic, and 6.42% Asian students.

When compared to other highly-ranked nearby elementary schools in the Lower Merion School District, such as Gladwyne School and Merion Elementary School, Penn Valley School performs at a similar or slightly higher level. However, the school could potentially improve in supporting the academic growth of its low-socioeconomic status students, who ranked 157th out of 1,414 Pennsylvania elementary schools in 2022-2023.


Detail:

Public K-4

 301 Righters Mill Rd
       Narberth, PA  19072-1316


(610) 645-1460

District: Lower Merion School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
92nd of 1,534 Pennsylvania Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $29,258 Help


Students who attend Penn Valley School usually attend:

Middle:    Welsh Valley Middle School
High:    Harriton Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio:  11.3 Help
Number of students:  514

Racial breakdown:

White:
61.7%
Two or more races:
12.8%
Hispanic:
10.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  16.5% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Penn Valley School ranks better than 94% of elementary schools in Pennsylvania. It also ranks last among 6 ranked elementary schools in the Lower Merion School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 90.23. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (61.7%), two or more races (12.8%), Hispanic (10.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 16.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Penn Valley School is 11.3, which is the 2nd best among 6 elementary schools in the Lower Merion School District. (See more...)
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Compare Penn Valley School employs 45.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Penn Valley School is $29,258, which is the 2nd highest among 6 elementary schools in the Lower Merion School District.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Penn Valley School:

SchoolDigger ranks Penn Valley School 92nd of 1534 Pennsylvania public elementary schools. (See Penn Valley School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Disabled students:
White students:


Lower Merion School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Lower Merion School District 7th of 606 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Penn Valley School

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Rank History for all students at Penn Valley School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 69.13 457th 1302 64.9%
2004 70.41 427th 1308 67.4%
2005 87.09 44th 1299 96.6%
2006 77.12 303rd 1545 80.4%
2007 72.06 440th 1555 71.7%
2008 75.83 319th 1551 79.4%
2009 84.11 81st 1549 94.8%
2010 82.44 137th 1579 91.3%
2011 84.46 84th 1597 94.7%
2012 80.41 197th 1599 87.7%
2013 81.75 177th 1519 88.3%
2014 85.39 81st 1467 94.5%
2015 87.45 98th 1474 93.4%
2016 89.98 57th 1554 96.3%
2017 89.97 45th 1547 97.1%
2018 89.03 79th 1530 94.8%
2019 88.61 91st 1544 94.1%
2021 93.93 28th 1433 98.0%
2022 92.64 53rd 1534 96.5%
2023 90.23 92nd 1534 94.0%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Penn Valley School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 94.32 5th 117 95.7%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Penn Valley School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 82.21 157th 1414 88.9%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Penn Valley School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 95.20 27th 1043 97.4%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for White students at Penn Valley School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 89.55 58th 1236 95.3%
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.

Penn Valley 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: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, April 30, 2018

Open Quote Great staff, administrators, supports for students, extracurricular activities Close Quote



Enrollment information for Penn Valley School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 444 64 28 8 0 n/a n/a 0 544
1989 454 59 25 4 1 n/a n/a 0 543
1990 445 44 4 4 0 n/a n/a 0 497
1991 444 48 8 7 0 n/a n/a 0 507
1992 474 53 3 6 0 n/a n/a 0 536
1993 455 63 14 3 0 n/a n/a 0 535
1994 443 62 20 4 0 n/a n/a 0 529
1995 574 55 22 4 0 n/a n/a 0 655
1996 574 55 22 4 0 n/a n/a 0 655
1997 571 45 26 4 2 n/a n/a 0 648
1998 551 43 25 9 0 n/a n/a 0 628
1999 508 50 29 9 0 n/a n/a 0 596
2000 365 77 19 11 1 n/a n/a 0 473
2001 353 72 9 14 5 n/a n/a 0 453
2002 336 71 8 7 1 n/a n/a 0 423
2003 336 71 8 7 1 n/a n/a 0 423
2004 313 65 17 5 1 n/a n/a 0 401
2005 291 54 13 8 2 n/a n/a 0 368
2006 296 50 20 12 1 n/a n/a 0 379
2007 311 54 22 15 1 n/a n/a 0 403
2008 328 61 22 9 0 n/a n/a 0 420
2009 367 62 28 11 0 n/a n/a 0 468
2010 402 67 27 11 1 n/a n/a 1 509
2011 407 61 27 11 2 0 9 0 517
2012 440 72 37 17 1 0 12 0 579
2013 461 69 45 24 0 0 15 0 614
2014 472 61 42 32 0 0 26 0 633
2015 459 61 50 41 0 0 43 0 654
2016 487 54 44 55 0 1 63 0 704
2017 447 58 47 52 0 1 61 0 666
2018 445 51 55 55 0 1 72 0 679
2019 431 52 58 59 1 1 80 0 682
2020 432 51 64 55 1 1 84 0 688
2021 403 58 54 51 1 1 70 0 638
2022 364 47 40 58 1 0 73 0 583
2023 317 45 33 53 0 0 66 0 514

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 Penn Valley School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 544 35.9 15.1 n/a
1989 543 38.9 13.9 n/a
1990 497 36.3 13.6 0
1991 507 36.5 13.8 n/a
1992 536 37.0 14.4 n/a
1993 535 36.0 14.9 n/a
1994 529 35.2 15.0 n/a
1995 655 43.3 15.1 n/a
1996 655 43.3 15.1 n/a
1997 648 45.6 14.2 n/a
1998 628 43.7 14.4 n/a
1999 596 44.5 13.4 n/a
2000 473 41.0 11.5 9.7
2001 453 35.3 12.8 12.4
2002 423 31.9 13.3 11.1
2003 423 31.9 13.3 11.1
2004 401 29.7 13.5 12.2
2005 368 26.5 13.9 12.8
2006 379 26.5 14.3 10
2007 403 29.7 13.6 6.2
2008 420 39.9 10.5 7.9
2009 468 39.6 11.8 8.3
2010 509 42.9 11.8 7.9
2011 517 39.5 13.0 5.6
2012 579 39.1 14.7 10.4
2013 614 45.8 13.3 9.1
2014 633 47.1 13.4 10.1
2015 654 46.0 14.2 13
2016 704 47.0 14.9 11.9
2017 666 51.5 12.9 12.3
2018 679 52.0 13.0 14.1
2019 682 47.6 14.3 12.3
2020 688 51.1 13.4 14.7
2021 638 52.0 12.2 13.5
2022 583 52.0 11.2 13.7
2023 514 45.3 11.3 16.5

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 Penn Valley School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 544 35.9 15.1 n/a
1989 543 38.9 13.9 n/a
1990 497 36.3 13.6 0
1991 507 36.5 13.8 n/a
1992 536 37.0 14.4 n/a
1993 535 36.0 14.9 n/a
1994 529 35.2 15.0 n/a
1995 655 43.3 15.1 n/a
1996 655 43.3 15.1 n/a
1997 648 45.6 14.2 n/a
1998 628 43.7 14.4 n/a
1999 596 44.5 13.4 n/a
2000 473 41.0 11.5 9.7
2001 453 35.3 12.8 12.4
2002 423 31.9 13.3 11.1
2003 423 31.9 13.3 11.1
2004 401 29.7 13.5 12.2
2005 368 26.5 13.9 12.8
2006 379 26.5 14.3 10
2007 403 29.7 13.6 6.2
2008 420 39.9 10.5 7.9
2009 468 39.6 11.8 8.3
2010 509 42.9 11.8 7.9
2011 517 39.5 13.0 5.6
2012 579 39.1 14.7 10.4
2013 614 45.8 13.3 9.1
2014 633 47.1 13.4 10.1
2015 654 46.0 14.2 13
2016 704 47.0 14.9 11.9
2017 666 51.5 12.9 12.3
2018 679 52.0 13.0 14.1
2019 682 47.6 14.3 12.3
2020 688 51.1 13.4 14.7
2021 638 52.0 12.2 13.5
2022 583 52.0 11.2 13.7
2023 514 45.3 11.3 16.5

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 Penn Valley School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $160 (0.7%) $22,056 (99.3%) $22,216
2020 $126 (0.5%) $23,295 (99.5%) $23,422
2021 $314 (1.2%) $26,882 (98.8%) $27,196
2022 $281 (1.0%) $28,977 (99.0%) $29,258

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Penn Valley 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 91st of 1544 Elementary schoolsRanks 92nd of 1534 Elementary schools
 0.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (Penn Valley School)89.986.3
 3.6%
   3rd Grade Math (Pennsylvania)5651.7
 4.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Penn Valley School)87.488.3
 0.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)61.954
 7.9%
4th Grade Math (Penn Valley School)76.282.3
 6.1%
   4th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)46.246.5
 0.3%
4th Grade Science (Penn Valley School)86.187.6
 1.5%
   4th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)77.874.1
 3.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Penn Valley School)87.182.1
 5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)63.651.8
 11.8%
5th Grade Math (Penn Valley School)77.476.3
 1.1%
   5th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)4335.5
 7.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Penn Valley School)88.386
 2.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)58.553.6
 4.9%
All Grades Math (Penn Valley School)81.384.1
 2.8%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (Penn Valley School)86.187.6
 1.5%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Penn Valley School)87.784.9
 2.8%
   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 Students682514
 24.6%
African American5245
 13.5%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian5833
 43.1%
Hispanic5953
 10.2%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White431317
 26.5%
Two or More Races8066
 17.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients12.3%16.5%
 4.2%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Penn Valley School

Students who attend Penn Valley School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Welsh Valley Middle School
High : Harriton Senior High School

Yes. Penn Valley School ranks in the top 6.0% of Pennsylvania elementary schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 514 students attended Penn Valley School.

Students at Penn Valley School are 62% White, 13% Two or more races, 10% Hispanic, 9% African American, 6% Asian.


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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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