Average
#2034 of 2,846 schools in PA
Building 21
High School · Philadelphia City SD
6501 Limekiln Pike, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#2,034 of 2,846
In Philadelphia
#112 of 300
public schools
In district
#82 of 218
Philadelphia City SD
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Building 21?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Building 21
High School in Philadelphia · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mt Airy Christian Day School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Excelsior School Philadelphia
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Building 21
Building 21 is a public high school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Philadelphia City SD. Building 21 serves approximately 382 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Building 21 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,034 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Building 21 show 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- District avg 5.8
- PA avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Building 21 sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
34% of students at Building 21 were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Building 21 — Students at Building 21 score 14% 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 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.3/10.
How Building 21 Compares
See how Building 21 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Girls HS (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Parkway Northwest (rated 4.5/10, 0.7 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 | 2.8 |
| Wagner Gen Louis MS Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 2.2 |
| Prince Hall Sch Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Rowen William Sch Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 2.4 |
| ADELAIDE EDUCATIONAL CENTER Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | — |
| ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| King Martin Luther HS Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Pennell Joseph Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Mastery CS-Francis D. Pastorius Elementary Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| West Oak Lane CS Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 2.8 |
| Parkway Northwest Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Samuel Pennypacker Sch Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 3.0 |
| Ellwood Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 4.1 |
| 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 | 5.3 |
| Central HS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Girls HS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Kensington Health Sciences Philadelphia, PA | 5.2 |
| Mount Carmel Area HS Mount Carmel, PA | 5.2 |
| Northgate MSHS Pittsburgh, PA | 5.2 |
| Blacklick Valley JSHS Nanty Glo, PA | 5.3 |
| Eisenhower MS/HS Russell, PA | 5.3 |
| KIPP DuBois CS Philadelphia, PA | 5.3 |
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 ranks #2,034 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Building 21's MySchoolScout rating?
Building 21 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Building 21?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Building 21 has 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.8%
- Phone
- (215) 400-7450
- 4-Year Graduation
- 62.0%
Resources & Links
District
Philadelphia City SD- District Enrollment
- 117,907
- Schools in District
- 220
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,897
- District Rank
- #82 of 218
Other Schools in This District
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 rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.