Lower Merion High School is a public high school in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, in the Main Line suburbs of Philadelphia. It is one of two high schools in the Lower Merion School District; the other one is Harriton High School. Lower Merion serves both Lower Merion Township and the Borough of Narberth.
Serving 1,757 students in grades 9-12, Lower Merion High School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 74% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 94% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Black and Asian), which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,757 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
- Minority Enrollment: 37%
- Graduation Rate: 97% (Top 5% in PA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5%
- Math Proficiency: 74% (Top 10%)
- Reading Proficiency: 94% (Top 1%)
- Science Proficiency: ≥50% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Lower Merion High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Graduation Rate
Student Attention
School Overview
Lower Merion High School's student population of 1,757 students has grown by 16% over five school years.
The teacher population of 148 teachers has grown by 21% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,757 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
148 teachers
Year Founded
1894
School Rankings
Lower Merion High School ranks within the top 5% of all 2,733 schools in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Lower Merion High School is 0.57, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#65 out of 2733 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
74%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
94%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥50%
57%
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
10%
5%
Hispanic
6%
15%
Black
13%
14%
White
63%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
8%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
97%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
19%
60%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
2%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Bulldog
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lower Merion High School's ranking?
Lower Merion High School is ranked #65 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are Lower Merion High School often compared to?
Lower Merion High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Harriton Sr. High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
74% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% PA state average), while 94% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Lower Merion High School?
The graduation rate of Lower Merion High School is 97%, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend Lower Merion High School?
1,757 students attend Lower Merion High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
63% of Lower Merion High School students are White, 13% of students are Black, 10% of students are Asian, 8% of students are Two or more races, and 6% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Lower Merion High School?
Lower Merion High School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Lower Merion High School offer ?
Lower Merion High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Lower Merion High School part of?
Lower Merion High School is part of Lower Merion School District.
School Reviews
5 10/6/2012
This school is the best school in Ardmore! They have a lot of stuff to do. I''m involved with extracurricular activities, sports, art and music.
Review Lower Merion High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
