Lower Merion School District, PA

Of the District's nine eligible schools, all have received recognition for excellence by the Commonwealth and seven have received the National Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in Education. LMSD schools rank among the highest in Pennsylvania for SAT and PSAT scores, AP Participation rate, total number of National Merit Semifinalists, total number of International Baccalaureate diplomas granted and in numerous publications' "Top Schools" lists. Approximately ninety-four percent of high school graduates attend institutions of higher learning.

LMSD's comprehensive instructional program encompasses an array of services for special needs and gifted children as well as community-based learning programs, extended daycare, early-intervention literacy support, an International Baccalaureate diploma program and a full menu of high school honors and AP courses. An extensive range of course offerings in core areas, music and the arts, technology and special subjects form the foundation of the District's secondary curriculum. Themed, year-long middle school programs offer students enhanced opportunities to explore subjects through hands-on, interdisciplinary study and block scheduling. The District's World Languages program enables all students to receive uninterrupted foreign language instruction from second grade until the time they graduate from high school.

An affluent suburban school district, Lower Merion is richly populated and considered the who’s who of the Main Line. It has a rich history and is full of cute shopping districts and some of the best restaurants in the area. Residents of Lower Merion have all the perks of living close to the city while enjoying the luxury of nature.

What to Love

• Tons of local breweries
• Vibrant heart of the Main Line
• Cute shopping districts
• Close to the city

Local Lifestyle

Home to some of the most luxurious real estate in Philadelphia, Lower Merion is also all about location. Because they’re so close to high-end shops and restaurants, excellent schools, a thriving job market, and gorgeous outdoor spaces, residents have the best of everything at their fingertips. With its emphasis on education and luxury, Lower Merion is the type of school district where residents stay as long as possible, raising their families in comfort.

Lower Merion is committed to preserving the beauty and character of its natural and man-made resources, so residential and commercial areas are carefully crafted around 700 acres of parks and green space. Lower Merion is full of stone manor-style homes, but an influx of luxurious new construction has brought a more modern style to the neighborhood.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

There are several cute shopping districts in Lower Merion. Suburban Square is one of the best-known, with its calendar full of community events, luxury shops, and delicious restaurants.

Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft is a throwback American restaurant. Their gorgeous back patio, stellar bourbon cocktails, and thoughtful menu bring diners back again and again. White Dog Cafe is a Lower Merion staple. This friendly spot is deeply entrenched in the community, sourcing its ingredients from local vendors and dishing out the best seasonal fare on the Main Line. A quick search of Lower Merion will bring up a load of breweries, but one of the best is Tired Hands Brewery, which has incredible signature beers and a charming atmosphere.

Suburban Square is more than just a shopping center — it’s a destination. Enjoy the peaceful outdoor spaces in between stops at high-end stores like Shop SixtyFive, Kitchen Kapers, and Dandelion. Bala Cynwyd Shopping Center is full of stores perfect for routine shopping, whether it’s home supplies or your weekly grocery run.

Things to Do

Residents are known to take great pride in the expansive outdoor spaces of Lower Merion, but the social spaces and art venues located in the area shine just as brightly.

Friday Night Music takes place in Suburban Square throughout the summer, bringing all genres of music to the square while residents picnic and lounge on the grass. Ardmore Music Hall brings local and national artists to the stage throughout the year and hosts an Ardmore Rock N’ Ride Main Line Bike Race and Music Festival.

Philadelphia Country Club has been a proud institution in the area since 1890. This iconic club has one of the best golf courses on the East Coast, as well as incredible amenities for its members. Stoneleigh Garden is a celebration of the natural world, with its expansive vistas and gorgeous blooms. Cynwyd Heritage Trail is 1.8 miles of gorgeous scenery that connects some of Lower Merion’s most famous historical sites. Rolling Hill Park has over 100 acres of green space with hiking and equestrian trails.