The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in Science. The lowest is 20% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Darby Twp Sch
Darby Township School in Glenolden is an elementary and middle school serving grades one through eight within the Southeast Delco School District. The school enrolls a student body that is very nearly entirely economically disadvantaged, with virtually all students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The racial composition is predominantly Black, with smaller populations of White, multiracial, and Hispanic students, and very few Asian and American Indian students. The school does not enroll kindergarten students.
State assessment data from spring 2025 shows proficiency in English language arts at roughly one-third of students across grades three through eight. Mathematics proficiency is substantially lower, at roughly one-fifth. Science proficiency, measured most recently in 2023, stands at roughly one-third. Across tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it below the midpoint relative to other districts in Delaware County. A parent considering this school should want to learn from the district what instructional priorities and supports are in place to close these gaps, and what the trajectory looks like from year to year.
The school sits in Glenolden, a small, densely built inner-ring suburban borough about ten miles southwest of Philadelphia, predominantly made up of early- to mid-20th-century single-family homes on modest lots, with twins and rowhomes mixed in. The borough is compact and walkable in pockets, anchored by a SEPTA Regional Rail station near the town center and commercial strip along Chester Pike. Housing values in the area are below the state benchmark and the affordability profile is reasonable; rents are more affordable than mortgage payments relative to household income. The borough itself is largely built-out and has seen only modest population change in recent years, with most new housing concentrated in multifamily rentals rather than greenfield development.
Southeast Delco School District was recently named one of seven Delaware County districts selected to receive a new state tax-equity supplement aimed at reducing the local property-tax burden on residents. This funding is directed toward preventing property-tax increases and reducing district debt, a structural shift that affects what homeowners pay going forward. The district has also invested in a multi-year facilities upgrade across all schools, including HVAC and air-conditioning improvements, filtered water fountains, and LED lighting, work that changes the day-to-day learning environment. These are tangible improvements for families weighing whether this location fits their needs.
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