The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in Science. The lowest is 30% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Highland Park El Sch
Highland Park Elementary sits in the heart of Upper Darby, a dense, working-class township on Philadelphia's border where walkable residential neighborhoods mix with concentrated commercial corridors, particularly along 69th Street. The school serves students in the earliest grades, kindergarten through fifth grade, in a setting of roughly a neighborhood school's enrollment that is economically and racially diverse in ways that reflect the broader township.
The student body is notably diverse. Roughly equal shares of students identify as Black, Hispanic, or Asian, with a smaller number identifying as white or multiracial. A very substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, pointing to considerable economic need. Specific counts for English learners and students with individualized education plans were not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those figures to understand support services.
Academic performance presents a mixed picture. In math, roughly one-third of tested students in grades three through five met proficiency standards. In English language arts, proficiency ran slightly lower, at just under one-third. These are below-midpoint results relative to other district schools in Delaware County. Science performance, based on the most recent available data, was materially stronger at just under three-fifths of students meeting proficiency, suggesting the school has stronger ground in that subject. State assessment data does not include a scale score for math and language arts, and participation rates were not provided, so the full context of these results is incomplete. A parent considering this school would be wise to ask the school directly about the academic supports in place for students working toward proficiency, the range of reading and math levels within each classroom, and whether the school uses additional diagnostics beyond state tests.
Upper Darby School District is in a period of significant physical transition. Groundbreaking for a new middle school in Clifton Heights occurred recently, designed to relieve overcrowding with modern facilities and STEM labs; that will not affect Highland Park, which serves earlier grades, but signals district-wide investment. The planned new elementary school in the 69th Street area has been suspended due to flood hazard designation, which means Highland Park families should expect the district to pursue other approaches to address elementary enrollment pressures. The district adopted a standardized mathematics curriculum, enVisions, across grades K through 8, so Highland Park families can expect a common instructional approach aligned with district-wide standards.
The township itself is a diverse, historically working-class suburb with strong public transit access via SEPTA's 69th Street Transportation Center, walkable blocks, and an active civic life anchored by libraries, parks, and the Tower Theater. Housing remains relatively affordable by regional standards, with rowhouse options available at modest price points, though property taxes are notably high. The township has pursued revitalization of the commercial corridor and acquired the shuttered Delaware County Memorial Hospital complex, signaling longer-term growth ambitions.
For a family considering Highland Park, the school offers a racially and economically diverse peer environment in a walkable, transit-accessible community. Reading and math proficiency are areas where the school is performing below district average, so families prioritizing strong standardized test performance may want to explore this with the school in detail. Science instruction appears to be a relative strength. The school is embedded in a district pursuing curriculum alignment and infrastructure upgrades, though ongoing tax pressures and capital project changes mean the district landscape is fluid. A parent visiting the school should ask about class sizes, the specific supports available for students not yet meeting grade-level standards, and how the school communicates progress to families.
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