The top reported proficiency rate is 65% in Science. The lowest is 40% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Woodlyn El Sch
Woodlyn Elementary is a small public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Woodlyn, a quiet residential census-designated place in Ridley Township, Delaware County, about a short distance from Center City Philadelphia. The school sits in a densely built mid-20th-century neighborhood of twin homes, Colonials, and small-lot properties, where the community's commercial spine runs along MacDade Boulevard with local retail and bus stops.
The school's enrollment is modest, drawn from a student body where a substantial share of families qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Racially and ethnically, the student population is mixed, with white students forming the largest group, followed by Black students, students identifying as two or more races, and Hispanic students, along with smaller populations of Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students. The school does not report counts or rates for students with individualized education plans or English learners, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about services for students needing special education or language support.
Woodlyn Elementary's recent state assessment results show mixed performance. In math for grades three through five, less than half of tested students achieved proficiency, placing the school above the midpoint among Delaware County districts on an overall proficiency index but indicating this is an area where many students are still working toward grade-level standards. English language arts proficiency was slightly higher, with about half of tested students meeting that benchmark. Science results are more robust, with roughly two-thirds of students proficient in the most recent assessment year available. The school tests students in third and fourth grade on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment; science data comes from the most recent year it was administered.
The Ridley School District, which operates Woodlyn Elementary, has been rolling out the MindPrint cognitive assessment and personalized learning model across its schools as part of a broader pedagogical shift toward brain-based instruction. The district introduced and retained full-day kindergarten beginning in the 2022-23 school year, which means families no longer need to arrange half-day childcare. The district has also raised property taxes successively over recent years to support operations, a cost that families owning homes in the area should factor into their financial planning.
Housing around Woodlyn Elementary is affordable relative to state and national benchmarks, with median home values below both Pennsylvania and national medians. Rents are more modest than mortgage costs in the area. The neighborhood itself is a stable, older residential community without significant new construction; a few new homes have been built in adjacent Milmont Park but the stock is largely established. The community has access to the SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line at Ridley Park station, about a short walk away, offering a commute to Center City Philadelphia. Local parks, a public library, and small business anchors along MacDade Boulevard serve the township.
A parent considering Woodlyn Elementary should understand that this is a school working through the math and reading proficiency challenges that affect many elementary schools in Delaware County. The school is embedded in a district pursuing a specific instructional model, so families aligned with that approach will find continuity through the grades. The neighborhood offers modest housing costs and a commuting option to Philadelphia, though the community's population has been relatively flat in recent years.
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