The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in Science. The lowest is 8% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Stonehurst Hills El Sch
Stonehurst Hills Elementary serves grades one through five in Upper Darby, a dense, working-class township that borders Philadelphia. The school enrolls a student body that is roughly two-thirds Black, with significant Hispanic and Asian representation and a small white enrollment. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a reflection of the neighborhood's economic profile.
Academic performance on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment is a concern for families considering this school. In the most recent math and English language arts results, proficiency rates were markedly low: only a small share of tested third through fifth graders met proficiency standards in math, and a modest share met proficiency in English language arts. Science results from an earlier year showed stronger performance, with about a third of tested students proficient. State testing data was available only for these subjects and grade spans; results for earlier grades were not included. A parent may want to look into further detail with the school about how these results are informing instructional decisions and what support structures are in place for students.
When positioned against the other districts in Delaware County, Stonehurst Hills sits in the bottom quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. The comparison is drawn from all county district schools; proficiency measures vary by school type and grade band, so this reflects where the school stands relative to its peers in the region.
The school is part of Upper Darby School District, which serves thirteen schools in a densely built area with limited room to expand. The district is undertaking significant capital work: a new middle school in Clifton Heights broke ground in mid-2024, designed to relieve longstanding middle school overcrowding with modern STEM facilities and new athletic fields. An elementary school project planned for the 69th Street area was suspended after FEMA designated the site as a flood hazard, a setback for the district's capacity planning. The district has committed to pursuing a major bond issue for further renovations and upgrades.
Upper Darby itself is a walkable, highly diverse township anchored by the 69th Street commercial corridor and SEPTA's transit hub. The closure of Delaware County Memorial Hospital in late 2022 was significant locally, but the district recently agreed to acquire the hospital complex adjacent to Upper Darby High School to help ease school overcrowding. Housing in the township remains relatively affordable for the region, with rowhouses available at varied price points, which helps sustain the community's long-standing diversity. The township has an active slate of civic anchors including the Sellers Memorial Library, the Tower Theater, and scattered parks with trails and recreational fields.
For families weighing this school, the primary consideration is the low state assessment performance. This is a neighborhood school serving a low-income student population in a dense urban setting, and while the academic results are challenging, a parent interested in Stonehurst Hills should speak directly with school and district leadership about instructional strategies, support services, and any recent efforts to improve outcomes.
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