Our Educational Community
The Wissahickon School District, established in 1966, is recognized as one of the premier school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with a strong tradition of academic rigor and excellence, enriching co-curricular and extra-curricular offerings, and a dedicated character education program.
In 2016-2017, Wissahickon High School was selected as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education, ranked second in the Commonwealth on the PA School Performance Profile and the 22nd top high school in Pennsylvania by U.S. News & World Report. Wissahickon Middle School is one of only 400 schools around the world recognized as a Microsoft Associate Showcase School for its excellence in transforming its learning environment with personalized technology education.
To support the district’s priority of preparing students to succeed in a rapidly evolving 21st century workforce, we use e-Classrooms to teach digital and audio-visual technologies. Classrooms are equipped with interactive white boards, LCD projectors and speakers. Students in elementary school use grade-level shared mobile laptop carts while all middle and high school students receive a district-issued laptop. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) instruction begins in elementary school with dedicated Maker Space areas for students to learn innovation, design and collaboration skills. All students participate in computer science and coding activities.
The district prides itself on offering students a variety of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and clubs to expand their academic and social development. At the high school level, approximately 80% percent of students participate in one or more of the 35+ activities, organizations, music, theater, art and athletic programs and compete in interscholastic competitions. Our Robotics Team is ranked in the top 2% of all robotics teams worldwide.
Our tagline, Bleeding Blue with a Heart of Gold, exemplifies our school spirit and focus on teaching students to be good citizens who help others and make our communities a better place to live. Students in all Wissahickon schools participate in character education activities and community service.
Wissahickon is located about 22 miles north of center city Philadelphia in the heart of suburban Montgomery County. The district has a population of 40, 924 and serves approximately 4,500 students in the three contiguous communities of Lower Gwynedd Township, the Borough of Ambler, and Whitpain Township - an area of twenty-five (25) square miles. Students learn in four elementary schools (K-5), one middle school (6-8) and high school (9-12). The professional staff is comprised of 370 full and part time certificated teachers with an average of 14 years teaching experience and 84% of whom have Master’s degrees.
Wissahickon is considered a highly desired community in which to live and raise a family as evidenced by increasing enrollment in the district. Our ranking as a top school district and favorable living conditions attract many young families from diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.
Conveniently located near a network of major highways and public transportation, we are accessible to cultural centers, sporting events, two convenient branches of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, parks, medical centers and recreational facilities. The vibrant downtown Borough of Ambler and revitalized areas of Whitpain and Lower Gwynedd Townships feature a wide range of shopping and restaurants, theater, youth sport organizations and businesses that provide learning and leisure activities for students and families. Residents enjoy community events including annual music festivals and parades.