Average
#1831 of 2,842 schools in PA
Building 21
High School · Philadelphia City SD
6501 Limekiln Pike, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Philadelphia
#183 of 300
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#360 of 641
In district
#164 of 218
Philadelphia City SD
About Building 21
Building 21 is a high school located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With an enrollment of 382 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, it offers personalized attention within its regular public school setting. The campus at 6501 Limekiln Pike provides a supportive environment for its predominantly high school-aged population in grades nine through twelve.
Building 21 places a strong emphasis on community and individual development, aiming to foster growth beyond just academics. While the MySchoolScout Rating of 3.1 out of 10 indicates room for improvement in academic performance, the school remains dedicated to nurturing its students' overall well-being. With only 6% proficiency in math and 28% in ELA/Reading across all grades, Building 21 is focusing on strategies that will enhance student success in these critical areas.
Situated in a bustling city setting, Building 21 benefits from the diverse resources and opportunities Philadelphia has to offer, making it an integral part of its urban community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Building 21 are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Building 21 — Students at Building 21 score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 5 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.4/10.
How Building 21 Compares
See how Building 21 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 7.5% (2019) to 7.5% (2021).
Location
6501 Limekiln Pike, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Building 21 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Central HS (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Girls HS (rated 6.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, King Martin Luther HS (rated 5.3/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MT AIRY CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.2 mi | — |
| EXCELSIOR SCHOOL PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Imhotep Institute CHS Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Wagner Gen Louis MS Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Prince Hall Sch Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Rowen William Sch Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| ADELAIDE EDUCATIONAL CENTER Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | — |
| ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| King Martin Luther HS Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Pennell Joseph Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Mastery CS-Francis D. Pastorius Elementary Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| West Oak Lane CS Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Parkway Northwest Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Samuel Pennypacker Sch Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Ellwood Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| GREEN TREE SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| NEW MEDINA LEARNING INSTITUTE Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Howe Julia Ward Sch Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Central HS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Girls HS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19138 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,586
Median Home Value
$167,300
Median Rent
$1,172/mo
Population
31,737
College Educated
17.9%
Homeownership
64.3%
Avg Commute
34 min
Poverty Rate
22.6%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Building 21 has a median household income of $51,586. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $167,300, with a median rent of $1,172/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| CONWELL EGAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Fairless Hills, PA | 5.8 |
| Innovative Arts Academy CS Catasauqua, PA | 5.8 |
| Laurel HS New Castle, PA | 5.8 |
| Ligonier Valley HS Ligonier, PA | 5.8 |
| Sayre Area HS Sayre, PA | 5.8 |
| Susquenita HS Duncannon, PA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Building 21
What grades does Building 21 serve?
Building 21 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Building 21?
Building 21 has an enrollment of approximately 382 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Building 21?
The student-teacher ratio at Building 21 is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Building 21 rank in PA?
Building 21 is ranked #1831 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Building 21's MySchoolScout rating?
Building 21 has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Building 21?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Building 21 has 5.9% math proficiency and 28.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Building 21 a charter school?
No, Building 21 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Building 21 a Title I school?
No, Building 21 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Building 21?
100.0% of students at Building 21 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,504/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Philadelphia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 382
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Philadelphia County
- Phone
- (215) 400-7450
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Philadelphia City SD- District Enrollment
- 117,907
- Schools in District
- 220
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,897
- District Rank
- #164 of 218
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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