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Very Good

#647 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 23% in state

Academy at Palumbo

High School · Philadelphia City SD

1100 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Enrollment

1,188

Student-Teacher

18.9:1

Score

7.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Philadelphia

#37 of 300

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#68 of 641

In district

#36 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

Equity

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Academy at Palumbo

Academy at Palumbo stands out as one of Philadelphia's top-performing high schools, serving 1,188 students in grades 9 through 12. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking 236th out of 2,852 Pennsylvania schools, this regular public school places in the 92nd percentile statewide for academic achievement. The school's academic performance is particularly impressive, with 95% of students demonstrating proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 76% achieve proficiency in mathematics.

These strong outcomes reflect the dedication of 63 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain an 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for meaningful classroom engagement. Academy at Palumbo serves students from a well-educated and economically stable community in the 19147 ZIP code area, where 69% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $105,233. The neighborhood's median home value of $509,300 and relatively low poverty rate of 9.2% contribute to a supportive educational environment.

Located at 1100 Catharine Street in Philadelphia, the school operates within one of the nation's major metropolitan areas, providing students with access to the cultural, educational, and professional opportunities that come with big-city living while maintaining strong academic standards and community connections.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.9Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69%
Reading/ELA Proficiency97.5%
Math vs. State Avg+27 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33.5 pts
Overall Proficiency83%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+49.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College Readiness9.5Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation35.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,638

Academy at Palumbo — Students at Academy at Palumbo score 83% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 75.7%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 96.1%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 5 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
82%
ELA
97.5%
2021*
Math
69%
2024
Math
76.2%
ELA
94.7%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.3/10.

How Academy at Palumbo Compares

See how Academy at Palumbo performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
77th percentile in PA
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
63 teachers

Location

1100 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Academy at Palumbo may also want to explore other high schools in the area. National Constitution Center HS (rated 7.3/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Creative and Performing Arts (rated 7.0/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Creative and Performing Arts Philadelphia 0.2 mi 7.0
Fanny Jackson Coppin Sch Philadelphia 0.4 mi 8.7
Universal Institute CS Philadelphia 0.3 mi 6.6
Christopher Columbus CS Philadelphia 0.5 mi 6.7
THE BRIDGE WAY SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.5 mi
Nebinger George W Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 8.0
Independence CS Philadelphia 0.5 mi 6.1
Stanton Edwin M Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 8.2
McCall Gen George A Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 8.6
THE CITY SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.6 mi 7.7
Meredith William M Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 8.6
Vare-Washington El Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 7.4
Kirkbride Eliza B Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 5.6
ST MARY INTERPAROCHIAL SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.8 mi 6.5
Childs George W Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 7.1
CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY Philadelphia 0.8 mi
National Constitution Center HS Philadelphia 0.9 mi 7.3
ST PETERS SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.7 mi 8.0
Southwark Sch Philadelphia 1.0 mi 6.1
Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy Philadelphia 0.8 mi 8.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19147 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$104,190

Median Home Value

$524,900

Median Rent

$1,679/mo

Population

38,747

College Educated

69.2%

Homeownership

54.7%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

35.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Academy at Palumbo has a median household income of $104,190. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $524,900, with a median rent of $1,679/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Penncrest HS Media, PA 7.5
Upper Dublin HS Fort Washington, PA 7.5
Central Bucks HS-East Doylestown, PA 7.4
Daniel Boone Area HS Birdsboro, PA 7.4
Franklin Regional SHS Murrysville, PA 7.4
Methacton HS Eagleville, PA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Academy at Palumbo

What grades does Academy at Palumbo serve?

Academy at Palumbo serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Academy at Palumbo?

Academy at Palumbo has an enrollment of approximately 1,188 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Academy at Palumbo?

The student-teacher ratio at Academy at Palumbo is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Academy at Palumbo rank in PA?

Academy at Palumbo is ranked #647 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Academy at Palumbo's MySchoolScout rating?

Academy at Palumbo has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Academy at Palumbo?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Academy at Palumbo has 75.7% math proficiency and 96.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Academy at Palumbo a charter school?

No, Academy at Palumbo is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Academy at Palumbo a Title I school?

No, Academy at Palumbo is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Academy at Palumbo?

99.7% of students at Academy at Palumbo qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
95 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
79 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
91 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (5,504/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Philadelphia). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,188
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
63
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Philadelphia City SD
District Enrollment
117,907
Schools in District
220
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,897
District Rank
#36 of 218

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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