Best Schools in Chester, Pennsylvania
13 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 3 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Chester?
Use this page to compare every school in Chester by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Chester Charter Scholars Academy Cs
Other · Chester Charter Scholars Academy Cs. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Stetser EL Sch
Elementary · Chester-Upland Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Stem at Showalter
High · Chester-Upland Sd. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Chester for 2026 are Chester Charter Scholars Academy Cs (5.4/10), Stetser EL Sch (4.4/10), and Stem at Showalter (4.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
13
7 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$85,200
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
13
7 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.1
out of 10
Median Home
$85,200
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +7.1 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Chester schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Chester
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 rated schools; 13 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chester Charter Scholars Academy Cs | 5.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Stetser EL Sch | 4.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Stem at Showalter | 4.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Chester Community Cs | 4.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Chester HS | 3.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Chester Upland Sch of Arts | 3.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Edgmont Scholars Academy | 3.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.1/10
- Median household income
- $39,416
- Median home value
- $85,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 40%
18% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Chester compares
Pennsylvania rank
#377 of 424
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.2
below Pennsylvania avg (6.3)
Median household income
$39k
50% of Pennsylvania median
Schools in this city
11
Chester-Upland SD runs 71% of Chester's public schools
Chester touches 3 districts, but Chester-Upland SD is the one most addresses actually attend.
Chester-Upland SD accounts for 5 of 7 public schools (71%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 2.
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.7 to 5.4 — the spread is inside Chester, not a citywide average.
- Chester-Upland SD5 public · 71%
- Chester Charter Scholars Academy Cs1 public · 14%
- Chester Community Cs1 public · 14%
About Schools in Chester, Pennsylvania
Chester, Pennsylvania is home to 13 schools, including 7 public schools and 6 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.1 out of 10, schools in Chester show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Chester is Center for Self Development with a composite score of 7.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Chester is served by 3 school districts: Chester Community CS, Chester Charter Scholars Academy CS, Chester-Upland SD. These districts collectively serve 8,008 students.
Chester's community shows 13% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $39,416. The poverty rate in the area is 31.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 231 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.4 | ||
| 2 | 4,193 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.1 | ||
| 3 | 425 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.7 | ||
| 4 | 478 students · Pre-K–8th | 3.7 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Drexel Neumann AcademyPrivate 167 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 55 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Center for Self DevelopmentPrivate 39 students · 1st–4th | Not Rated |
| 2 | 8 students · 2nd–7th | Not Rated |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 436 students · 7th–12th | 4.3 | ||
| 2 | 863 students · 9th–12th | 3.8 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Ysc AcademyPrivate 82 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 684 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.4 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 7 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Chester
Chester, Pennsylvania · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$39,416
Median Home Value
$85,200
Median Rent
$1,083/mo
Population
34,697
College Educated
13%
Homeownership
40%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
31.0%
Community Profile
Chester has a median household income of $39,416. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $85,200, with a median rent of $1,083/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 3
- Other
- 2
Resources
Other Major Cities in Pennsylvania
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Chester, Pennsylvania
How many schools are in Chester, Pennsylvania?
Chester has 13 schools, including 7 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Chester, Pennsylvania?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Chester is 5.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Chester, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester Charter Scholars Academy Cs with a composite score of 5.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Chester, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked elementary school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Stetser EL Sch with a composite score of 4.4/10.
What is the best high school in Chester, Pennsylvania?
The top-ranked high school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Stem at Showalter with a composite score of 4.3/10.
How many school districts serve Chester, Pennsylvania?
Chester is served by 3 school districts: Chester Community Cs, Chester Charter Scholars Academy Cs, Chester-Upland Sd.
What is the education level in Chester, Pennsylvania?
According to Census data, 13% of adults in Chester have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Chester, Pennsylvania?
The median household income in Chester is approximately $39,416 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Chester, Pennsylvania?
Yes, Chester has 6 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Center for Self Development with a score of 7.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Chester, Pennsylvania?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Chester is 12.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Chester, Pennsylvania?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.