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Average

#1171 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 41% in state

Christopher Columbus Cs

Elementary School · Christopher Columbus CS

South Building 1242-46 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Charter

Enrollment

835

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Philadelphia

#100 of 300

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#783 of 1,625

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Christopher Columbus Cs

Christopher Columbus CS is a charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in Philadelphia with an enrollment of 835 students. Located on South 13th Street in a large urban setting, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1 with 64 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's academic performance shows particular strength in English language arts, where 64% of students perform at proficient levels or above.

Mathematics represents an area of focus, with 39% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks across grade levels. Overall, Christopher Columbus CS holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks at the 62nd percentile among Pennsylvania schools, placing it at number 1086 out of 2,852 statewide. As a public charter school, Christopher Columbus CS offers families an alternative educational pathway within Philadelphia's public school system.

The school's mid-sized enrollment and reasonable class sizes provide opportunities for students to receive individual attention while benefiting from a diverse student body. For families in Philadelphia's central neighborhoods exploring K-8 options, Christopher Columbus CS represents one choice among the city's diverse array of public and charter schools.

What Parents Should Know

Christopher Columbus Cs is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.7%
Math vs. State Avg-12.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,216

Christopher Columbus Cs — Students at Christopher Columbus Cs score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 38.6%
School
State
40.7%
ELA Proficiency 64.4%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 16 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
38%
ELA
69%
2024
Math
38.7%
ELA
63.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.

How Christopher Columbus Cs Compares

See how Christopher Columbus Cs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in PA
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers

Location

South Building 1242-46 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Christopher Columbus Cs may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy (rated 8.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fanny Jackson Coppin Sch (rated 8.7/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stanton Edwin M Sch (rated 8.2/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Fanny Jackson Coppin Sch Philadelphia 0.1 mi 8.7
Creative and Performing Arts Philadelphia 0.4 mi 7.0
Universal Institute CS Philadelphia 0.5 mi 6.6
Academy at Palumbo Philadelphia 0.5 mi 7.6
Childs George W Sch Philadelphia 0.4 mi 7.1
Stanton Edwin M Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 8.2
THE BRIDGE WAY SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.5 mi
Southwark Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 6.1
Kirkbride Eliza B Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 5.6
South Philadelphia HS Philadelphia 0.8 mi 5.8
Independence CS Philadelphia 0.8 mi 6.1
Nebinger George W Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 8.0
Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy Philadelphia 0.8 mi 8.9
Vare-Washington El Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 7.4
THE CITY SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.9 mi 7.7
Key Francis Scott Sch Philadelphia 1.0 mi 8.0
BETHEL BAPTIST ACADEMY Philadelphia 1.0 mi 8.3
Girard Stephen Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 7.9
Philadelphia Performing Arts CS Philadelphia 1.0 mi 4.5
Jenks Abram Sch Philadelphia 1.1 mi 7.5

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 Christopher Columbus Cs 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
Ardmore Avenue El Sch Lansdowne, PA 6.7
Blue Bell El Sch Blue Bell, PA 6.7
Butler El Sch Chalfont, PA 6.7
Cornwall Terrace El Sch West Lawn, PA 6.7
Dunmore El Ctr Dunmore, PA 6.7
Greenwood El Sch Kennett Square, PA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Christopher Columbus Cs

What grades does Christopher Columbus Cs serve?

Christopher Columbus Cs serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Christopher Columbus Cs?

Christopher Columbus Cs has an enrollment of approximately 835 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Christopher Columbus Cs?

The student-teacher ratio at Christopher Columbus Cs is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Christopher Columbus Cs rank in PA?

Christopher Columbus Cs is ranked #1171 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Christopher Columbus Cs's MySchoolScout rating?

Christopher Columbus Cs has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Christopher Columbus Cs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Christopher Columbus Cs has 38.6% math proficiency and 64.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Christopher Columbus Cs a charter school?

Yes, Christopher Columbus Cs is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Christopher Columbus Cs a Title I school?

No, Christopher Columbus Cs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Christopher Columbus Cs?

29.7% of students at Christopher Columbus Cs 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

City Safety
High (5,504/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
835
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
64
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Christopher Columbus CS
District Enrollment
835
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,381
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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