As of the 2023-2024 school year, the school had an enrollment of 4,388 students and 233.23 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 16.49.[2]
The population is diverse, with over 55 nationalities of students. It has a long-established football rivalry with Monsignor Bonner High School, located less than a block away. Upper Darby High School was a part of the inspiration for Upper Darby alumna Tina Fey's movie comedy Mean Girls.
The mascot of Upper Darby High is the Royal, which is portrayed as a lion. In previous years, it was a court jester. The school emblem is the royal oak tree, the yearbook is named the Oak, and the newspaper is called the Acorn. An Acorn award is rewarded every year at the UDAEF Sweet Night Out Foundation Ball in February.
Upper Darby Senior High School is one of the largest high schools in Pennsylvania by enrollment. The High School is also home to the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, and the Summer Stage program.
Upper Darby High School is home to the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, a nearly 1,800-seat theater that hosts not only school functions, but also between 200 and 400 events annually. During the summer, the arts center hosts the largest summer theater group in Delaware County: Summer Stage, with over 200 participants in multiple musicals. Harry Dietzler founded the Summer Stage program in 1976.
Extracurriculars
Upper Darby High School offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive sports program.
Upper Darby High School's Wall of Fame committee recognizes individuals who have become leaders in their industries.[7] Alumni recognized on Upper Darby High School's Wall of Fame members are indicated with WoF after their biographical summary:
^"2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Drexel Hill CDP, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024. "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Drexel Hill CDP, PA" (PDF). 2010 U.S. Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 3, 2020. - Compare the maps to the full address of UDHS.
^"Home". Upper Darby High School. Retrieved May 3, 2020. Location 601 N. Lansdowne Ave Drexel Hill, PA 19026 - Compare this to the CDP map.
^ a b"Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Upper Darby SHS". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
^Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association (2012). "PIAA School Directory".
^"Wall of Fame". Upper Darby High School. Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
^Jones, Kenneth. "Broadway Baritone Keith Andes, of Wildcat, Dead at 85" Archived October 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Playbill, November 28, 2005. Accessed November 24, 2007.
^"Tina Fey Gets the Last Laugh" Archived April 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Fox News, April 25, 2004. Accessed November 28, 2007
^"Alumni Wall of Fame". Upper Darby School District. Retrieved January 4, 2023. "Grace O'Connell, Class of 2000" (PDF). Upper Darby School District. Retrieved January 4, 2023.