Best Elementary Schools
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We ranked all 269 elementary schools in Philadelphia. The top 25 scored between 8.0 and 8.9 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Pennsylvania education data
Philadelphia's elementary school landscape spans 192 ranked schools, giving families a wide range of options across the city's distinct neighborhoods. The average composite score sits at 6.2/10, but the top of the field pulls well above that mark — Dobson James School and Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy both earn 8.9/10, the highest ratings in the city at this level. Strong performers aren't limited to a handful of outliers. Thirty percent of ranked elementary schools — 57 in total — score 7 or higher, meaning families have a realistic shot at finding a high-quality school without landing at the very top of the list. Hackett Horatio B School, Penn Alexander School, and Fanny Jackson Coppin School round out the upper tier, each scoring 8.7 or better. Use the table below to sort by overall score, specific subject performance, or other factors that matter most to your family.
Dobson James Sch
Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy
Hackett Horatio B Sch
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Philadelphia's Elementary Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Pennsylvania so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dobson James Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.9 |
| 2 | Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy Philadelphia City SD | 8.9 |
| 3 | Hackett Horatio B Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.8 |
| 4 | Penn Alexander Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.7 |
| 5 | Fanny Jackson Coppin Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.7 |
| 6 | Henry Charles W Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.7 |
| 7 | Bache-Martin Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.6 |
| 8 | McCall Gen George A Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.6 |
| 9 | Meredith William M Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.6 |
| 10 | Powel Samuel Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.6 |
| 11 | Greenfield Albert M Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.5 |
| 12 | Adaire Alexander Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.5 |
| 13 | JUBILEE SCHOOL | 8.4 |
| 14 | THE ISLAMIC EDUCATION SCHOOL -TIES | 8.4 |
| 15 | Cook-Wissahickon Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.3 |
| 16 | FRANKFORD FRIENDS SCHOOL | 8.3 |
| 17 | Stanton Edwin M Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.2 |
| 18 | John Story Jenks Academy for the Arts and Sciences Philadelphia City SD | 8.2 |
| 19 | Lingelbach Anna L Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.2 |
| 20 | Shawmont Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.2 |
| 21 | Fox Chase Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.2 |
| 22 | Key Francis Scott Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.0 |
| 23 | Nebinger George W Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.0 |
| 24 | Mifflin Thomas Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.0 |
| 25 | Lea Henry C Sch Philadelphia City SD | 8.0 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Pennsylvania education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Pennsylvania. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Elementary Schools in Philadelphia
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Philadelphia's Top 10 Elementary Schools
Choosing the Right Elementary School in Philadelphia
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Philadelphia's elementary school landscape is one of the most diverse in Pennsylvania, with 269 schools spanning 83 school districts, plus 44 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best elementary school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Dobson James Sch is the top-rated elementary school in Philadelphia with a composite score of 8.9/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many elementary schools are in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
Philadelphia has 269 elementary schools, including 44 charter schools. Of these, 250 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Philadelphia?
The average composite score for Philadelphia elementary schools is 6.3/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Pennsylvania).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). All scores are computed within Pennsylvania, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Pennsylvania, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Philadelphia elementary school rankings?
Yes. Philadelphia has 44 charter elementary schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.