The top reported proficiency rate is 85% in Science. The lowest is 57% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Glenside El Sch
Glenside Elementary is a public K-4 school in Cheltenham School District, sitting at the center of a major structural change in the district. In May 2025, the board voted to close Elkins Park School and reconfigure the entire district from a K-4 / 5-6 / 7-8 model into K-5 elementary schools and a 6-8 middle school. This means Glenside Elementary will expand to include fifth grade, with permanent additions expected to be completed by fall 2027. For any family considering enrollment, this is the defining fact: your child's building assignments and grade trajectories will shift when the reconfiguration takes effect.
Academically, Glenside Elementary's state test results show uneven proficiency. In science, the school performed at a high level on the most recent assessment. In math, proficiency for grades three through four sat at a moderate level. In English language arts, proficiency was below the math results. Across the three tested subjects, the school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among Montgomery County's elementary schools, a meaningful position relative to its neighbors.
The school serves a socioeconomically diverse student body. Roughly two-fifths of enrolled students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Racial and ethnic composition is mixed: a substantial share of students identify as Black, and meaningful populations identify as white, Hispanic, and multiracial, with smaller Asian and Native American representation. Data on special education enrollment and English learner population were not available, so families seeking those details should reach out to the school directly.
The enrollment is small to moderate for an elementary school at this grade band, distributed across five grades. Glenside is located in a built-out residential suburb about eleven miles north of Philadelphia, with walkable downtown amenities, SEPTA rail access, and a mix of older single-family homes typical of early-twentieth-century suburban development. The immediate housing market shows homes at a moderate price point with relatively quick turnover; median days on market sit below the national benchmark. Rental options in the zip code exist but are priced such that rent represents a substantial share of median household income.
The district itself is undertaking curriculum changes that affect how elementary families receive feedback on their children. A new, standards-aligned elementary report card rolled out with consistency across all elementary buildings. The district also compressed the criteria for Algebra 1 placement from six to three, deliberately removing barriers to advanced math study so that more students can access accelerated pathways earlier.
For families considering a move to Glenside Elementary, the immediate planning question is the timing relative to the reconfiguration: if your child is entering kindergarten through second grade now, they will transition through the new K-5 model. If your child is currently in third or fourth grade, they will finish those grades at Glenside and then move to the new sixth-grade configuration at Cedarbrook Middle. The construction timeline means some operational disruption is likely through 2027. A parent may want to contact the school and district directly to understand the current building conditions and the specific timeline for additions to Glenside.
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