Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#2618 of 2,846 schools in PA

Conwell Russell MS

Middle School · Philadelphia City SD

1849 E Clearfield St, Philadelphia, PA 19134

Enrollment

127

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

3.7

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,618 of 2,846

In Philadelphia

#231 of 300

public schools

In district

#171 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Conwell Russell MS?

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.

Conwell Russell MS

3.7/10

Middle School in Philadelphia · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Willard Frances E Sch

2.3/10

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

Mastbaum Jules E Area Vocational-technical School

5.7/10

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

About Conwell Russell MS

Conwell Russell MS is a public middle school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Philadelphia City SD. Conwell Russell MS serves approximately 127 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Conwell Russell MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,618 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Conwell Russell MS show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.1
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

At 127 students, Conwell Russell MS is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 9.8:1 students to teachers, Conwell Russell MS sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

34% of students at Conwell Russell MS 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.5Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.38 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.6% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.3% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-31.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.1 pts
Overall Proficiency27% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment6.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,897
Chronic Absenteeism33.9%

Conwell Russell MS — Students at Conwell Russell MS score 27% 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 34.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 55.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.2% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 38 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
86%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
78%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
56%
2016
Math
25%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
31%
ELA
59%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
54%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
54%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
15.6%
ELA
56.7%
2024
Math
10.1%
ELA
38.8%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How Conwell Russell MS Compares

See how Conwell Russell MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
8th percentile in PA
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.9%

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

1849 E Clearfield St, Philadelphia, PA 19134

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Conwell Russell MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Memphis Street Academy CS @ JP Jones (rated 5.1/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John B Stetson MS (rated 1.5/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Willard Frances E Sch Philadelphia 0.1 mi 2.3
Mastbaum Jules E Area Vocational-Technical School Philadelphia 0.2 mi 5.7
Sheridan Sch Philadelphia 0.4 mi 4.6
Elkin Lewis Sch Philadelphia 0.4 mi 3.3
Memphis Street Academy CS @ JP Jones Philadelphia 0.6 mi 5.1
Webster Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 4.1
Richmond Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 3.9
John B Stetson MS Philadelphia 0.7 mi 1.5
VISITATION SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.7 mi 5.9
Community Academy of Philadelphia CS Philadelphia 0.8 mi 5.9
LIGUORI ACADEMY Philadelphia 0.9 mi 7.2
Deep Roots CS Philadelphia 0.7 mi 5.4
MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE INTERPAROCHIAL Philadelphia 0.9 mi 5.2
Brown Henry A Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 6.2
Kensington HS Philadelphia 0.9 mi 5.0
Sankofa Freedom Academy CS Philadelphia 0.9 mi 5.0
OUR LADY OF PORT RICHMOND REGIONAL SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.9 mi 5.8
Kensington Health Sciences Philadelphia 1.0 mi 5.2
Sheppard Isaac Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 4.4
Cramp William Sch Philadelphia 1.0 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19134 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,849

Median Home Value

$127,500

Median Rent

$1,179/mo

Population

56,750

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

53.8%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

36.9%

Median Age

32.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Middle Years Alternative Philadelphia, PA 3.9
AMY NW Philadelphia, PA 4.1
Monessen MS Monessen, PA 3.3
Weatherly Area MS Weatherly, PA 3.1
Bucktail Area MS Renovo, PA 4.4
California Area MS Coal Center, PA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Conwell Russell MS

What grades does Conwell Russell MS serve?

Conwell Russell MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Conwell Russell MS?

Conwell Russell MS has an enrollment of approximately 127 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Conwell Russell MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Conwell Russell MS is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Conwell Russell MS rank in PA?

Conwell Russell MS ranks #2,618 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Conwell Russell MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Conwell Russell MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Conwell Russell MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Conwell Russell MS has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Conwell Russell MS a charter school?

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

Is Conwell Russell MS a Title I school?

No, Conwell Russell MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Conwell Russell MS?

100.0% of students at Conwell Russell 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
90 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
69 Good Transit
Bike Score
64 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
127
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.9%

District

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

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 rate

Related 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.