The top reported proficiency rate is 94% in Science. The lowest is 58% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Russell El Sch
Russell Elementary sits in Broomall, a suburban residential community west of Philadelphia, as part of the Marple Newtown School District. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade and enrolls students across the full elementary spectrum, with roughly even class sizes from K through 5.
The student body is predominantly white, with an Asian population at roughly one in seven students and smaller numbers of multiracial, Hispanic, and Black students. About a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school data does not report special education or English learner populations, so parents may want to contact the school directly to understand those services.
On the state assessment results available, Russell shows uneven performance across subjects. In math, a bit more than half of third through fifth graders met proficiency. In English language arts, the rate falls slightly lower. Science performance, last measured the prior year, was notably strong across that grade band. The gaps between math and ELA on one hand and science on the other are meaningful; a parent might look into what drives that strength in science and where math and reading instruction could be reinforced. The school tested a reasonable number of students in each subject, so these are stable measures rather than small-sample results.
In the context of Delaware County districts, Russell's overall proficiency sits above the midpoint. That measure averages across the three subjects and tested grades, so it reflects the high science results pulling up the aggregate even as math and reading show room for growth.
Broomall itself is an auto-oriented postwar suburb with shopping and services spread along commercial corridors like West Chester Pike rather than organized around a walkable center. Housing values reflect the established suburban market; homes in the area typically command substantial price points, well above state averages. The community is built out with little new large-scale construction, though township zoning and parks planning have been active in recent years. Public transit exists via bus but is modest compared to car travel. The dominant employment sectors for residents are health care, education, and retail.
The Marple Newtown School District, which serves Broomall and Newtown Square, has recently launched a STEM Academy at the high school with an industry-professional advisory council and a diploma seal, and it is piloting new middle school courses in technology, financial literacy, and related standards. These are longer-term curriculum moves that shape what families will encounter as children advance.
Russell Elementary is a regular public school in a stable suburban setting with moderate-income diversity and academic results that are strong in science and middling in core literacy and numeracy. Families should view the ELA and math results as a starting point for conversations with the school about instructional priorities and student support.
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