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Below Average

#2593 of 2,842 schools in PA

Discovery Cs

Elementary School · Discovery CS

4700 Parkside, Philadelphia, PA 19131

Charter

Enrollment

621

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Philadelphia

#268 of 300

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#1,491 of 1,625

About Discovery Cs

Discovery CS is a charter school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, catering to kindergarten through eighth grade students. With an enrollment of 621 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each learner. The teachers at Discovery CS are dedicated full-time educators who work hard to support their students.

Academically, Discovery CS currently ranks in the lower percentile among Pennsylvania schools, with an overall rating of 2.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout and a state ranking of #2786 out of 2852 schools. In reading and ELA, 35% of students are proficient or above, while only 10% are proficient in math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school is likely focusing on student development and academic growth.

Discovery CS is situated in a bustling urban setting within Philadelphia, offering its students access to city resources and opportunities. Despite the challenges reflected in current test scores, the community around Discovery CS supports the ongoing efforts to enhance educational outcomes for all its students.

What Parents Should Know

Discovery 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 Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.2%
Math vs. State Avg-41.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.6 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.6Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,886

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 9.9%
School
State
40.7%
ELA Proficiency 35.0%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 18 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
15%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
33%
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: 5.5/10.

How Discovery Cs Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in PA
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
1.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

4700 Parkside, Philadelphia, PA 19131

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Discovery Cs may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Locke Alain Sch (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is KIPP West Philadelphia CS (rated 6.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, QUBA INSTITUTE OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES (rated 6.8/10, 0.4 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 4.5
Global Leadership Academy CS Philadelphia 0.3 mi 3.9
Blankenburg Rudolph Sch Philadelphia 0.3 mi 6.4
QUBA INSTITUTE OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES Philadelphia 0.4 mi 6.8
KIPP DuBois CS Philadelphia 0.4 mi 5.9
KIPP West Philadelphia CS Philadelphia 0.4 mi 6.9
Philadelphia Learning Academy - West Philadelphia 0.6 mi 7.4
School of the Future Philadelphia 0.6 mi 6.2
Washington Martha Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 5.1
Rhoads James Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 6.0
Parkway West Philadelphia 0.9 mi 6.8
Middle Years Alternative Philadelphia 0.9 mi 5.9
Belmont CS Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.2
Mastery CS - Shoemaker Campus Philadelphia 0.8 mi 5.6
Locke Alain Sch Philadelphia 1.0 mi 7.2
Heston Edward Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 6.1
KIPP Philadelphia Octavius Catto CS Philadelphia 1.2 mi 4.9
Mastery CS - Mann Campus Philadephia 1.1 mi 3.6
West Philadelphia HS Philadelphia 1.3 mi 5.6
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Discovery Cs has a median household income of $46,057. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,900, with a median rent of $1,312/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Bon Meade El Sch Moon Township, PA 4.2
Canadochly El Sch East Prospect, PA 4.2
Donegal Primary School Mount Joy, PA 4.2
Frederick Douglass Mastery CS Philadelphia, PA 4.2
Garrettford El Sch Drexel Hill, PA 4.2
Harding Sch Erie, PA 4.2

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 is ranked #2593 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Discovery Cs's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery Cs has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Discovery Cs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Discovery Cs has 9.9% math proficiency and 35.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

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
621
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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