The top reported proficiency rate is 58% in Science. The lowest is 24% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Glenolden Sch
Glenolden School is a regular public elementary and middle school in the Interboro School District, serving grades one through eight in a small, densely built inner-ring borough south of Philadelphia in Delaware County. The school sits on MacDade Boulevard near Knowles Avenue in the heart of Glenolden, a compact residential community with early- to mid-20th-century single-family homes, twins, and some rowhomes on modest lots, anchored by a commercial spine along Chester Pike and a SEPTA Regional Rail station that connects residents north to Philadelphia and south toward Wilmington and Newark, Delaware.
Glenolden School's enrollment is relatively stable and modest for its grade band, with a student body that is about evenly split between white students and a substantial share of students of color, particularly Black students. A majority of the school's students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a significant share of economically modest families in the school community. The school serves no reported English learner count or students with IEPs large enough to report as a rate, though specific enrollment data for these groups was not available.
On Pennsylvania's state assessments for grades three through eight, Glenolden School's academic performance is mixed. In English Language Arts, proficiency stands at a rate below the midpoint among Delaware County districts; roughly four in ten students tested reached proficiency. Mathematics proficiency is notably lower, with roughly one in four students meeting the standard. Science results are stronger, with proficiency in the majority range when that assessment was most recently reported. The school's overall proficiency index across tested subjects places it below the midpoint relative to districts in Delaware County, indicating a need for instructional focus in literacy and mathematics in particular. A parent may want to ask the school directly what strategies are in place to boost proficiency in these core areas, what intervention supports exist for students below grade level, and how the school measures progress throughout the year.
Glenolden sits in a stable, built-out community that is not experiencing rapid population growth or housing expansion. The median home value in the 19036 ZIP code is below both state and national benchmarks, reflecting an older, modest housing stock; rents are similarly affordable. The housing market is described as walkable in pockets, with the SEPTA station providing commuter rail access and Chester Pike offering shopping and dining within walking distance of many homes. Employment in Glenolden itself is limited to small businesses and service firms; most residents commute to jobs elsewhere in Delaware County or Philadelphia. Glenolden Park, the public library, and civic institutions sit near the borough center, serving as community anchors.
The Interboro School District, which includes Glenolden, Prospect Park, Norwood, and Tinicum Township, is undergoing a major renovation and expansion of its high school facility in Prospect Park, adding science labs, STEM spaces, art rooms, and a new cafeteria. The district has been designated as financially distressed under the state's recent tax-equity initiative and is receiving new state aid supplements, which eases pressure on local property taxes. The school board has adopted modest annual property tax increases, held well below the state statutory ceiling, signaling predictable rather than volatile financial growth for homeowners.
Glenolden School serves as the district's elementary and middle school location in the borough; high school students travel to Prospect Park. This setup suits families seeking a traditional public K-8 or 1-8 pathway in a walkable, transit-accessible neighborhood near Philadelphia, with the understanding that the school's core academic proficiency is below county average and benefits from direct conversation with school staff about literacy and mathematics support, remediation approaches, and how the school community addresses students performing below grade level.
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