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Needs Improvement

#2703 of 2,846 schools in PA

Castor Gardens MS

Middle School · Philadelphia City SD

1800 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111

Enrollment

1,269

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

3.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,703 of 2,846

In Philadelphia

#258 of 300

public schools

In district

#192 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

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Castor Gardens MS

3.3/10

Middle School in Philadelphia · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northeast HS

6.0/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Resurrection Regional Catholic School

6.6/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Castor Gardens MS

Castor Gardens MS is a public middle school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Philadelphia City SD. Castor Gardens MS serves approximately 1,269 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Castor Gardens MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,703 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Castor Gardens MS show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.1
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.19 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.2% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-20.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.3 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,897
Chronic Absenteeism27.7%

Castor Gardens MS — Students at Castor Gardens MS score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.5% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 40.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.4% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
66%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
59%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
56%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
54%
2013
Math
55%
ELA
55%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
40%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
39%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
34%
2017
Math
19%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
33%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
11.7%
ELA
38.1%
2024
Math
17%
ELA
31.3%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Castor Gardens MS Compares

See how Castor Gardens MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
5th percentile in PA
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
71 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1800 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Castor Gardens MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. CEDAR GROVE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NORTHEAST CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BLESSED TRINITY REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Northeast HS Philadelphia 0.3 mi 6.0
RESURRECTION REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.4 mi 6.6
SHINING STAR LEARNING CENTER Philadelphia 0.6 mi
Moore J Hampton Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 5.2
THE GAN Philadelphia 0.5 mi
Solis-Cohen Solomon Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 3.6
Rhawnhurst Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 5.2
Tacony Academy CS Philadelphia 1.0 mi 5.2
NORTHEAST CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.9 mi 7.0
Spruance Gilbert Sch Philadelphia 1.1 mi 3.7
Crossan Kennedy C Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 3.4
Carnell Laura H Sch Philadelphia 1.2 mi 3.6
FIRST CENTURY GOSPEL SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.1 mi 4.3
Mayfair Sch Philadelphia 1.3 mi 3.6
Farrell Louis H Sch Philadelphia 1.4 mi 4.0
Ziegler William H Sch Philadelphia 1.6 mi 3.7
CEDAR GROVE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Philadelphia 1.2 mi 7.2
Allen Ethan Sch Philadelphia 1.6 mi 3.7
BLESSED TRINITY REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.6 mi 6.9
PRESENTATION BVM SCHOOL Cheltenham 1.3 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19111 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,441

Median Home Value

$244,000

Median Rent

$1,221/mo

Population

65,821

College Educated

24.8%

Homeownership

55.3%

Avg Commute

35.8 min

Poverty Rate

15.1%

Median Age

38.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Francis D Raub MS Allentown, PA 3.2
G A R MS Wilkes-Barre, PA 3.2
South Mountain MS Allentown, PA 3.2
Trexler MS Allentown, PA 3.2
C E Cole Intermediate Sch Reading, PA 3.5
Pleasant Valley MS Brodheadsville, PA 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Castor Gardens MS

What grades does Castor Gardens MS serve?

Castor Gardens MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Castor Gardens MS?

Castor Gardens MS has an enrollment of approximately 1,269 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Castor Gardens MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Castor Gardens MS is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Castor Gardens MS rank in PA?

Castor Gardens MS ranks #2,703 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Castor Gardens MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Castor Gardens MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Castor Gardens MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Castor Gardens MS has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Castor Gardens MS a charter school?

No, Castor Gardens MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Castor Gardens MS a Title I school?

No, Castor Gardens MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Castor Gardens MS?

100.0% of students at Castor Gardens MS 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
87 Very Walkable
Transit Score
51 Good Transit
Bike Score
63 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,269
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
71
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.7%

District

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

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