Below Average
#2648 of 2,842 schools in PA
Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs
School · Commonwealth Charter Academy CS
One Innovation Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Enrollment
23,589
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
23,589
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harrisburg
#31 of 40
public schools
Pennsylvania schools
#52 of 62
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs
Commonwealth Charter Academy CS serves 23,589 students across grades K-12 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, making it one of the largest charter schools in the state. With 1,431 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio, providing a reasonable class size structure for its extensive enrollment. The school currently faces academic challenges, with room for significant growth in student achievement.
In English Language Arts and Reading, 42% of students perform at proficient or above levels across grade levels, while mathematics shows 18% proficiency. The school ranks in the 8th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, indicating substantial opportunities for academic improvement and student development. As a charter school, Commonwealth Charter Academy offers families an alternative educational option within the public school system.
The school's large scale allows it to serve students from diverse backgrounds and potentially offer varied programming across its K-12 span. Commonwealth Charter Academy is situated in Harrisburg, a small city environment in Dauphin County. The surrounding 17110 ZIP code area features a median household income of $75,276 and a median home value of $189,500, with 38% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.8%, reflecting a middle-income community with moderate educational attainment levels.
What Parents Should Know
Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs is a large school with 23,589 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
While current test scores at Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs 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.
Commonwealth Charter Academy 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
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Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs — Students at Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 20 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: 8.7/10.
How Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs Compares
See how Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 16% (2019) to 16.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 41% (2019) to 42.1% (2024).
Location
One Innovation Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs may also want to explore other schools in the area. LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cougar Academy (rated 5.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harrisburg, see our Harrisburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17110 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,499
Median Home Value
$206,200
Median Rent
$1,400/mo
Population
26,401
College Educated
41%
Homeownership
62.1%
Avg Commute
20.4 min
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
38.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs has a median household income of $79,499. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,200, with a median rent of $1,400/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs
What grades does Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs serve?
Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs?
Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs has an enrollment of approximately 23,589 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs?
The student-teacher ratio at Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs rank in PA?
Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs is ranked #2648 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs's MySchoolScout rating?
Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs has 19.3% math proficiency and 42.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs a charter school?
Yes, Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs a Title I school?
No, Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs?
59.1% of students at Commonwealth Charter Academy 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 23,589
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1,431
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Dauphin County
- Phone
- (717) 710-3300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Commonwealth Charter Academy CS- District Enrollment
- 23,590
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,549
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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