Lower Merion School District earned the highest possible grade in a national ranking of more than 11,600 school districts.
The Ardmore-based district received an A+ in Niche's 2027 Best School Districts in America rankings, as first reported by Patch on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Only 24 of Pennsylvania's school districts earned the top A+ mark. More than 100 statewide scored at least an A-.
The district-level honor is separate from Niche's Best Public High Schools list, which ranked Harriton Senior High School sixth and Lower Merion High School seventh in Pennsylvania, according to a separate Patch report. Together, the results place the district and both of its high schools near the top of the state across two distinct Niche lists.
Niche evaluated 11,603 districts using state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, teacher quality and millions of reviews from students and parents, drawing on U.S. Department of Education data. One notable change this cycle: Niche dropped SAT and ACT scores from its methodology to reflect a broader de-emphasis on standardized testing in college admissions.
"Families deserve a complete view of their options, whether they're evaluating schools in their area or exploring what's available elsewhere," Niche founder and CEO Luke Skurman said in a news release.
On Niche's profile for the district, LMSD earned A+ sub-grades in academics, teachers, college prep and food. Clubs and activities and sports each received an A. Administration scored an A-, resources and facilities a B+, and diversity a B. The district holds a community rating of 4.28 out of 5 based on 94 reviews.
Approximately 8,600 students attend LMSD's 11 schools, according to district records from the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Tredyffrin-Easttown School District topped the Patch list of Pennsylvania A+ districts. The full Niche rankings are available at niche.com.
