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Needs Improvement

#2761 of 2,846 schools in PA

Discovery Cs

Elementary School · Discovery CS

4700 Parkside, Philadelphia, PA 19131

Charter

Enrollment

621

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

2.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,761 of 2,846

In Philadelphia

#273 of 300

public schools

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Discovery Cs

2.9/10

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

Inquiry Cs

5.6/10

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

Global Leadership Academy Cs

2.0/10

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

About Discovery Cs

Discovery Cs is a public elementary school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Discovery CS. Discovery Cs serves approximately 621 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Discovery Cs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,761 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Discovery Cs show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares3.5 pts below PA schools
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Discovery Cs is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.26 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.6% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.2% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-41.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.6 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment1.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,063
Chronic Absenteeism25.8%

Discovery Cs — Students at Discovery Cs score 22% 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 24.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
40.7% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 43.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.3% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 42 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
58%
ELA
53%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
61%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
16%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
46%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
38.8%
2024
Math
9.7%
ELA
33.7%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Discovery Cs Compares

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

Overall Score
2.9/10
3th percentile in PA
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.9/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.8%

Location

4700 Parkside, Philadelphia, PA 19131

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Discovery Cs may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. QUBA INSTITUTE OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES (rated 6.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is KIPP West Philadelphia CS (rated 6.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Inquiry CS (rated 5.6/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Inquiry CS Philadelphia 0.2 mi 5.6
Global Leadership Academy CS Philadelphia 0.3 mi 2.0
Blankenburg Rudolph Sch Philadelphia 0.3 mi 3.7
QUBA INSTITUTE OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES Philadelphia 0.4 mi 6.8
KIPP DuBois CS Philadelphia 0.4 mi 5.3
KIPP West Philadelphia CS Philadelphia 0.4 mi 6.8
Philadelphia Learning Academy - West Philadelphia 0.6 mi 3.2
School of the Future Philadelphia 0.6 mi 3.7
Washington Martha Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.9
Rhoads James Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.3
Parkway West Philadelphia 0.9 mi 4.6
Middle Years Alternative Philadelphia 0.9 mi 3.9
Belmont CS Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.3
Mastery CS - Shoemaker Campus Philadelphia 0.8 mi 3.7
Locke Alain Sch Philadelphia 1.0 mi 4.3
Heston Edward Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 2.3
KIPP Philadelphia Octavius Catto CS Philadelphia 1.2 mi 4.2
Mastery CS - Mann Campus Philadephia 1.1 mi 2.5
West Philadelphia HS Philadelphia 1.3 mi 4.3
WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY H.S. Philadelphia 1.4 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19131 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$46,057

Median Home Value

$163,900

Median Rent

$1,312/mo

Population

44,799

College Educated

30.1%

Homeownership

44%

Avg Commute

32.9 min

Poverty Rate

27.7%

Median Age

34.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
GNA El Ctr Nanticoke, PA 2.9
Perry El Sch Erie, PA 2.9
Stonehurst Hills El Sch Upper Darby, PA 2.9
Aliquippa El Sch Aliquippa, PA 2.8
Catharine Joseph Sch Philadelphia, PA 3.0
Central El Sch Beaver Falls, PA 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Discovery Cs

What grades does Discovery Cs serve?

Discovery Cs serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Discovery Cs?

Discovery Cs has an enrollment of approximately 621 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Cs?

The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Cs is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Discovery Cs rank in PA?

Discovery Cs ranks #2,761 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Discovery Cs's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery Cs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 Discovery Cs?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Discovery Cs has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Discovery Cs a charter school?

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

Is Discovery Cs a Title I school?

No, Discovery Cs is not currently a Title I school.

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

100.0% of students at Discovery 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
67 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
64 Good Transit
Bike Score
96 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
621
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.8%

District

Discovery CS
District Enrollment
621
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,063
District Rank
#1 of 1

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