The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in Science. The lowest is 29% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Garrettford El Sch
Garrettford Elementary is a small, grades 1-5 regular public school in Drexel Hill, a dense inner-ring suburb of Philadelphia in Delaware County. The student body is economically quite different from the surrounding neighborhood: every student in the school qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating substantial household economic hardship district-wide. By race and ethnicity, the enrollment is diverse, with roughly half the students Black, a quarter white, a tenth Asian, and the remainder Hispanic or multiracial.
Academic performance is a significant area of concern. On the most recent state assessments for grades 3-8, proficiency in math stands below one-third of students, with English language arts only slightly higher. Science results, from an earlier test year, show much stronger performance at around three-fifths proficient. The school's overall proficiency index places it below the midpoint among Delaware County districts. A parent should look into these results directly with the school to understand what academic supports are in place, what the trajectory has been, and what reading and math interventions the school offers. The school's small size and neighborhood-based context may allow for closer relationships between families and staff, and that foundation matters alongside these numbers.
The neighborhood itself is a walkable, tree-lined residential community with local shops and parks woven through, served by SEPTA trolleys and bus routes. Housing values are moderate relative to the broader Philadelphia region, and most families in the area are homeowners rather than renters. The Upper Darby School District, which serves Garrettford, is undergoing visible change: a new middle school opened recently to relieve overcrowding, and the district recently adopted a uniform math curriculum across grades K-8 (enVisions) and standardized social studies instruction at the middle level. An elementary school project in the 69th Street area was suspended due to flood hazard concerns, so elementary capacity constraints remain a district issue. The district faces sustained pressure on property taxes to close budget shortfalls, so families here should be aware of continued tax increases.
Garrettford is not a destination school with specialized programs or choice appeal. It is a neighborhood elementary school serving families primarily from its immediate area, with a student body reflecting significant economic and racial diversity and academic outcomes that suggest a school where families and educators are managing real constraints. The fit depends on whether you value neighborhood rootedness and want to engage directly with the school's improvement work, alongside public school commitment in a high-need setting.
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