The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in Math. The lowest is 32% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Aronimink El Sch
Aronimink Elementary serves grades one through five in Drexel Hill, a densely populated inner-ring suburb of Philadelphia about five to eight miles southwest of Center City. The school sits within Upper Darby School District, which covers all of Upper Darby Township and operates under a recently approved curriculum framework focused on consistent, standards-aligned instruction across its schools.
The student body is substantially diverse. Asian, Black, and Hispanic students each make up roughly a quarter to three-tenths of enrollment, with smaller proportions of White, multiracial, and Pacific Islander students. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the neighborhood. Enrollment is stable at slightly over five hundred students spread evenly across the five grades, a manageable size for an elementary school.
On the most recent state assessments in math and English language arts, proficiency rates are below where many families would hope. In math, about two-fifths of tested students in grades three through five met proficiency; in ELA, roughly one-third did. When positioned against the proficiency measures of other districts in Delaware County, the school falls below the midpoint. These results suggest the school faces real academic challenges that warrant closer conversation with the building leadership. A parent considering enrollment may want to look into this further with the school directly, asking what supports exist for struggling students and what steps are underway to raise proficiency.
The broader context matters. Drexel Hill itself is a walkable, tree-lined neighborhood with parks, trolley access, and long-established community institutions. Housing values are moderate for the Philadelphia region, with owned homes in the mid-range and rentals relatively accessible. The district is in a period of visible change: a new middle school broke ground in Clifton Heights in July 2024 to relieve overcrowding, and the district acquired the defunct Delaware County Memorial Hospital site in August 2025 for future school use. At the same time, property tax pressure is real, with the 2025-26 budget assuming a modest tax increase to close a significant structural gap.
Aronimink is a traditional neighborhood school without specialized programming or choice enrollment. It draws from the local area, which means peer stability and walkability for many families. The school is part of a district now operating under a standardized math curriculum in grades K-8 (enVisions) and standardized social studies at the middle level, so the academic experience is intentionally aligned across buildings. Early literacy and numeracy support in the early elementary grades are foundational work; the proficiency picture in grades three and four suggests this foundation may need strengthening. For families in the Aronimink neighborhood who value a stable, walkable community and are prepared to engage with the school around academic support, this is the assigned school. For others considering the Upper Darby district, understanding the specific academic trajectory and family involvement culture of this building would be important before deciding.
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