The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in Science. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Bywood El Sch
Bywood Elementary is a kindergarten-through-fifth-grade school in Upper Darby, a dense, working-class township at Philadelphia's edge defined by rowhouse blocks, a vibrant commercial spine along 69th Street, and high walkability. The school serves almost exclusively low-income students, with the entire enrollment qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. Enrollment is approximately even across grades, with a particularly diverse student body: roughly half Black students, roughly one-third Hispanic, and a smaller but meaningful share of Asian students, with very few white students. The diversity reflects Upper Darby itself, which has long been a destination for immigrant communities including Black, Latino, Korean, and South Asian residents.
Academic performance is a significant concern. On state assessments in math and English language arts during the most recent testing year, proficiency rates were very low, in the low teens across both subjects. In science, measured a year earlier, performance was notably stronger, with proficiency near one-half. These math and ELA results place the school well below the midpoint relative to other districts in Delaware County. The science assessment data is older and results are not available for all tested grades, so a parent may want to look into current science performance directly with the school. Overall, the pattern suggests Bywood is serving students with substantial academic gaps. State testing reflects only grades three through five at this school, so performance data does not cover the earlier primary grades where Bywood's students spend most of their time.
The district context is relevant. Upper Darby School District is confronting longstanding overcrowding and aging facilities. A new middle school is under construction in Clifton Heights to ease congestion, but an elementary school project planned for the 69th Street area has been suspended due to flood hazard designation, leaving elementary-level overcrowding unresolved. The district has adopted a common math curriculum, enVisions Mathematics, across grades K-8, aiming to create a standardized experience rather than school-by-school variation. Property taxes in Upper Darby are high relative to household income, and despite receiving extra state equalization funding in 2024, the district faces continued budget pressure with property tax increases expected.
Bywood's location in Upper Darby offers a walkable, transit-rich neighborhood. The 69th Street Transportation Center provides access to SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line and multiple trolley and bus routes, and the township has a dense retail and cultural presence, including the Tower Theater and Sellers Memorial Library system. Housing in Upper Darby remains relatively affordable for the region, and the town continues revitalization efforts along its commercial corridor.
For families, Bywood represents a school serving a predominantly low-income, multiethnic community with significant academic need. The most recent state test results in math and English language arts are weak, though science performance was stronger in earlier data. Whether this school matches a family's expectations depends on how they assess the school's fit for their child, what supports are available on campus, and what other options exist within the district or area. The school is part of a district managing real overcrowding and carrying high property tax burden, factors that shape resources and planning district-wide.
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