Best Elementary Schools in Chester County, Pennsylvania
Introduction
Chester County, Pennsylvania has long been one of the most sought-after places to raise a family in the greater Philadelphia region, and its elementary schools are a big part of the reason why. Stretching from the charming boroughs of Downingtown and West Chester to the rolling countryside of Chester Springs and Chadds Ford, the county is home to some of the highest-performing public elementary schools in the entire state. Whether you're relocating for work, upsizing for a growing family, or simply trying to find the best fit for your child, the schools in this region consistently rank at the top of Pennsylvania's academic benchmarks.
What sets Chester County apart isn't just one standout district — it's the depth of excellence across multiple school systems. Downingtown Area, Tredyffrin-Easttown, Unionville-Chadds Ford, and Owen J. Roberts all appear on this list, meaning families in different corners of the county have access to genuinely world-class elementary education. The schools below represent the very best of the best, each landing in the 96th percentile or higher overall. Here's a closer look at what makes each one worth knowing about.
1. Pickering Valley Elementary School — Downingtown Area SD, Chester Springs
Sitting at the top of our rankings with an overall score in the 99th percentile, Pickering Valley Elementary is as close to the pinnacle of Pennsylvania elementary education as it gets — posting 99th percentile scores in English and 98th percentile scores in both Math and Science. Located in the picturesque community of Chester Springs, this school draws families who want that rare combination of a tight-knit, small-town feel with big-time academic results. If you're considering a move to the northern reaches of Chester County and want a school that will challenge and inspire your kids from day one, Pickering Valley belongs at the top of your list.
2. Brandywine-Wallace Elementary School — Downingtown Area SD, Downingtown
Also earning an overall 99th percentile ranking, Brandywine-Wallace Elementary is a remarkable achievement for the Downingtown Area School District — and proof that the district doesn't just have one exceptional school, it has several. With 97th percentile English scores and a stunning 98th percentile in both Math and Science, this school delivers balanced excellence across every core subject. Families already settled in Downingtown who want to know their neighborhood elementary is competing at the highest level will find a lot of reassurance in these numbers.
3. New Eagle Elementary School — Tredyffrin-Easttown SD, Wayne
New Eagle Elementary brings the highly regarded Tredyffrin-Easttown School District into the top three, earning an overall 98th percentile ranking with 98th percentile English, 96th percentile Math, and 97th percentile Science scores. Wayne is one of the most desirable communities on the Main Line, and New Eagle is a big part of why young families keep choosing it over neighboring towns. The school appeals to parents who want rigorous academics in an environment that still feels warm and community-oriented — and the numbers back up that reputation convincingly.
4. Hillendale Elementary School — Unionville-Chadds Ford SD, Chadds Ford
Hillendale Elementary is a standout in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, posting an overall 98th percentile score anchored by exceptional English (99th percentile) and Math (98th percentile) performance. Chadds Ford is one of Chester County's most storied communities — think Brandywine Valley landscapes, a strong sense of local history, and neighbors who take education seriously — and Hillendale fits that character well. Families moving to this part of the county who prioritize literacy and numeracy from the earliest grades will find Hillendale a genuinely compelling option.
5. Pocopson Elementary School — Unionville-Chadds Ford SD, West Chester
Pocopson Elementary earns its 98th percentile overall ranking on the strength of exceptional breadth, including a remarkable 99th percentile in Science alongside 97th percentile English and 95th percentile Math. Located just outside West Chester proper, Pocopson serves families in a semi-rural setting that still offers convenient access to everything the county seat has to offer. This is a school that will particularly appeal to parents who want their children to develop a love of inquiry and the natural world alongside strong foundational skills — the Science scores here are genuinely extraordinary.
6. Hillside Elementary School — Tredyffrin-Easttown SD, Berwyn
Hillside Elementary rounds out an impressive showing from Tredyffrin-Easttown, matching Pocopson's 99th percentile Science score while also posting 98th percentile English and 95th percentile Math for an overall 98th percentile ranking. Berwyn is a beloved Main Line community with a walkable character and a strong neighborhood identity, and Hillside reflects that community pride in its academic results. Families who move to Berwyn often stay for decades, and a school performing at this level is no small part of the reason why.
7. West Bradford Elementary School — Downingtown Area SD, Downingtown
West Bradford Elementary continues the remarkable run of Downingtown Area School District schools on this list, earning an overall 97th percentile ranking with 97th percentile English, 96th percentile Math, and 94th percentile Science. West Bradford has a reputation for being one of those schools where teachers and families genuinely collaborate, and the consistently strong performance across all three subjects suggests an academic culture that's both rigorous and supportive. For families buying or building in the Downingtown area who want to know which neighborhoods feed into the strongest elementary schools, West Bradford's zone deserves a serious look.
8. Shamona Creek Elementary School — Downingtown Area SD, Downingtown
Shamona Creek Elementary earns an overall 96th percentile ranking with particularly impressive marks in Math (97th percentile) and English (96th percentile), making it one of the stronger schools in an already strong district. If your child is someone who lights up around numbers and problem-solving, Shamona Creek's Math performance — right up there with the district's best — is worth taking note of. It's also a school that tends to appeal to families who appreciate being part of a larger, growing community while still having access to a school that feels genuinely invested in each child's progress.
9. Lionville Elementary School — Downingtown Area SD, Downingtown
Lionville Elementary earns its spot with an overall 96th percentile ranking that includes a standout 97th percentile in Science and solid 93rd and 94th percentile marks in English and Math respectively. Lionville is one of those schools that tends to fly slightly under the radar compared to some of its sibling schools in the district, but families who land here often become its biggest advocates. The strong Science scores suggest a school where hands-on learning and curiosity are genuinely encouraged — a great fit for kids who want to ask "why" as often as possible.
10. West Vincent Elementary School — Owen J. Roberts SD, Chester Springs
West Vincent Elementary rounds out our top ten with an overall 96th percentile ranking, highlighted by a remarkable 98th percentile in Math and solid 94th percentile English scores. Owen J. Roberts is a district that doesn't always get the same attention as its Chester County neighbors, but West Vincent is a reminder that exceptional schools exist throughout this county, not just in its most prominent districts. Chester Springs has a devoted community of families who love its open spaces and quieter pace, and West Vincent Elementary is the kind of school that makes that lifestyle feel like an even smarter choice.
How We Rank Schools
Every school on The School Advocate is ranked using publicly available state assessment data across three core subjects. We weight English at 40%, Math at 40%, and Science at 20% to calculate each school's overall percentile ranking. This approach reflects the foundational importance of literacy and numeracy while still giving meaningful weight to Science achievement. All percentile scores represent how a school performs relative to other public elementary schools across Pennsylvania — so a 99th percentile ranking means a school is outperforming 99% of its peers statewide.
Compare Schools Yourself
Numbers tell part of the story, but every family's priorities are different. If you want to dig deeper — compare two schools side by side, explore specific subject strengths, or look beyond the top ten — head over to theschooladvocate.com/compare. Our comparison tool lets you put any two schools head to head so you can make the most informed decision possible for your child.
Top Elementary Schools
| Rank | School | District | City | English | Math | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pickering Valley Elementary School | Downingtown Area SD | Chester Springs | 99 | 98 | 99 |
| 2 | Brandywine-Wallace Elementary School | Downingtown Area SD | Downingtown | 97 | 98 | 99 |
| 3 | New Eagle Elementary School | Tredyffrin-Easttown SD | Wayne | 98 | 96 | 98 |
| 4 | Hillendale Elementary School | Unionville-Chadds Ford SD | Chadds Ford | 99 | 98 | 98 |
| 5 | Pocopson Elementary School | Unionville-Chadds Ford SD | West Chester | 97 | 95 | 98 |
| 6 | Hillside Elementary School | Tredyffrin-Easttown SD | Berwyn | 98 | 95 | 98 |
| 7 | West Bradford Elementary School | Downingtown Area SD | Downingtown | 97 | 96 | 97 |
| 8 | Shamona Creek Elementary School | Downingtown Area SD | Downingtown | 96 | 97 | 96 |
| 9 | Lionville Elementary School | Downingtown Area SD | Downingtown | 93 | 94 | 96 |
| 10 | West Vincent Elementary School | Owen J Roberts SD | Chester Springs | 94 | 98 | 96 |