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Below Average

#2668 of 2,842 schools in PA

Fels Samuel HS

High School · Philadelphia City SD

5500 Langdon Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111

Enrollment

1,235

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

4.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Philadelphia

#277 of 300

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#608 of 641

In district

#212 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

About Fels Samuel HS

Fels Samuel HS serves 1,235 students in grades 9-12 in Philadelphia, offering a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 83 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school is working to support student achievement with significant room for academic growth, as current reading proficiency stands at 23% and math proficiency at 6% across grade levels. Located at 5500 Langdon Street in the 19111 ZIP code, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $57,853 and median home value reaches $226,100.

About one-quarter of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate sits at 15.6% among the area's 67,149 residents. The school's academic challenges reflect broader educational needs in the district, with performance ranking in the 2nd percentile statewide. However, the relatively manageable class sizes could provide opportunities for more individualized attention as educators work to strengthen student outcomes across all subject areas.

Fels Samuel HS operates within Philadelphia's urban landscape, serving families in a working-class neighborhood where educational advancement remains a priority despite economic challenges facing many households in this large city setting.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Fels Samuel HS 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Math vs. State Avg-34.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-54 pts
Overall Proficiency9%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-24.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness2.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,638

Fels Samuel HS — Students at Fels Samuel HS score 9% 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 9.6%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 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
27%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
6.3%
ELA
23%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Fels Samuel HS Compares

See how Fels Samuel HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
6th percentile in PA
Academic
1.8/10
1.8/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
83 teachers

Location

5500 Langdon Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fels Samuel HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Frankford HS (rated 5.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
ST MARTIN OF TOURS SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.5 mi 6.9
Carnell Laura H Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 5.9
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.6 mi 7.3
The Philadelphia CS for Arts and Sciences at HR Edmunds Philadelphia 0.8 mi 5.0
MaST Community CS II Philadelphia 0.9 mi 2.9
Universal Creighton CS Philadelphia 0.7 mi 7.1
Franklin Benjamin Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 6.3
CEDAR GROVE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Philadelphia 0.9 mi 7.2
Northwood Academy CS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 2.5
Frankford HS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 5.1
Ziegler William H Sch Philadelphia 1.0 mi 6.9
FIRST CENTURY GOSPEL SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.3 mi 4.3
Spruance Gilbert Sch Philadelphia 1.0 mi 5.5
Moore J Hampton Sch Philadelphia 1.2 mi 6.7
THE BRIDGE Philadelphia 1.4 mi
PRESENTATION BVM SCHOOL Cheltenham 1.5 mi 6.9
SHINING STAR LEARNING CENTER Philadelphia 1.2 mi
FRANKFORD FRIENDS SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.5 mi 8.3
Marshall John Sch Philadelphia 1.5 mi 7.2
OLNEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.3 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19111 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,441

Median Home Value

$244,000

Median Rent

$1,221/mo

Population

65,821

College Educated

24.8%

Homeownership

55.3%

Avg Commute

35.8 min

Poverty Rate

15.1%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fels Samuel HS has a median household income of $60,441. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $244,000, with a median rent of $1,221/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.1%. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Boys' Latin of Philadelphia CS Philadelphia, PA 4.0
Franklin Towne CHS Philadelphia, PA 4.0
McKeesport Area SHS Mckeesport, PA 4.0
Northern Lebanon SHS Fredericksburg, PA 4.0
Solanco HS Quarryville, PA 4.0
Greater Johnstown SHS Johnstown, PA 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fels Samuel HS

What grades does Fels Samuel HS serve?

Fels Samuel HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Fels Samuel HS?

Fels Samuel HS has an enrollment of approximately 1,235 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fels Samuel HS?

The student-teacher ratio at Fels Samuel HS is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fels Samuel HS rank in PA?

Fels Samuel HS is ranked #2668 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Fels Samuel HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Fels Samuel HS 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 Fels Samuel HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fels Samuel HS has 9.6% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fels Samuel HS a charter school?

No, Fels Samuel HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fels Samuel HS a Title I school?

No, Fels Samuel HS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fels Samuel HS?

100.0% of students at Fels Samuel HS 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
68 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
58 Good Transit
Bike Score
59 Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,504/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,235
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
83
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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