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Below Average

#2648 of 2,842 schools in PA

Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs

School · Commonwealth Charter Academy CS

One Innovation Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Charter Virtual

Enrollment

23,589

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.1%
Math vs. State Avg-35 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.7 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-20.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness1.8Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,853

Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs — Students at Commonwealth Charter Academy Cs score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 19.3%
School
State
40.9%
ELA Proficiency 42.2%
School
State
54.7%

Based on 20 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
16%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
17.7%
ELA
41.7%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.0/10
7th percentile in PA
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
1,431 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Camp Curtin Academy Harrisburg 0.7 mi 5.2
THE NATIVITY SCHOOL OF HARRISBURG Harrisburg 0.9 mi 6.6
Downey Sch Harrisburg 1.3 mi 4.9
HILDEBRANDT LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 1.0 mi
RABBI DAVID L SILVER YESHIVA ACADEMY Harrisburg 1.2 mi 7.1
Pennsylvania STEAM Academy CS Harrisburg 1.5 mi 5.3
Benjamin Franklin Sch Harrisburg 1.5 mi 4.7
COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg 1.2 mi 6.4
NEW CITY SCHOOL DBA LOGOS HARRISBURG Harrisburg 1.6 mi 6.7
Premier Arts and Science CS Harrisburg 1.7 mi 7.5
Cougar Academy Harrisburg 1.7 mi 5.8
HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harrisburg 2.0 mi 7.5
JOSHUA LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 2.0 mi
Capital Area School for the Arts CS Harrisburg 2.1 mi 7.3
ST STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Harrisburg 2.2 mi 7.6
HANSEL & GRETEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER Harrisburg 1.9 mi
Harrisburg HS - SciTech Cmp Harrisburg 2.2 mi 6.7
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Harrisburg 2.1 mi 6.6
ST MARGARET MARY SCHOOL Harrisburg 2.0 mi 6.9
Sara Lindemuth El Sch Harrisburg 2.0 mi 3.7

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,761/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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