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Needs Improvement

#2815 of 2,842 schools in PA

First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs

School · First Philadelphia Preparatory CS

4300 Tacony St, Philadelphia, PA 19124

Charter

Enrollment

1,818

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Philadelphia

#295 of 300

public schools

Pennsylvania schools

#59 of 62

About First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs

First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School serves 1,818 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Philadelphia's 19124 neighborhood. With 104 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1, providing reasonable class sizes for individualized attention. As a charter school, First Philadelphia Preparatory operates with flexibility in curriculum and programming while serving the diverse needs of its large student body.

The school has significant room for academic growth, with current proficiency rates of 21% in English Language Arts and 6% in mathematics across all grade levels. These results place the school among those working to improve student outcomes in Pennsylvania's competitive educational landscape. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $44,683 and nearly one-third of families face economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 31.7%.

About 15% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the working-class character of the area. Home values in the zip code average $133,700, indicating an affordable housing market. First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School operates in Philadelphia's urban environment, serving a substantial population of 72,919 residents in the surrounding community along Tacony Street.

What Parents Should Know

First Philadelphia Preparatory 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 Progress5.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.8%
Math vs. State Avg-45.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-37 pts
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-20.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness2.4Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,691

First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs — Students at First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs score 12% 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 6.9%
School
State
40.9%
ELA Proficiency 22.1%
School
State
54.7%

Based on 20 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
13%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
18%
2024
Math
6.4%
ELA
21%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs Compares

See how First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
1th percentile in PA
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
104 teachers

Location

4300 Tacony St, Philadelphia, PA 19124

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs may also want to explore other schools in the area. Mariana Bracetti Academy CS (rated 4.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Maritime Academy CS (rated 4.2/10, 0.8 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
Stearne Allen M Sch Philadelphia 0.4 mi 7.0
Harding Warren G MS Philadelphia 0.5 mi 5.4
Marshall John Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 7.2
FRANKFORD FRIENDS SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.6 mi 8.3
Franklin Towne Charter Elementary School Philadelphia 0.9 mi 3.2
Mastery CS-Smedley Campus Philadelphia 0.9 mi 3.6
Mariana Bracetti Academy CS Philadelphia 0.7 mi 4.2
Maritime Academy CS Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.2
Frankford HS Philadelphia 1.0 mi 5.1
Bridesburg Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 6.2
Franklin Towne CHS Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.0
Sullivan James J Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 6.7
THE BRIDGE Philadelphia 1.0 mi
The Philadelphia CS for Arts and Sciences at HR Edmunds Philadelphia 1.3 mi 5.0
Northwood Academy CS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 2.5
ST LUCY DAY SCHOOL FOR CHLDRN W VISUAL IMPAIRMENT Philadelphia 1.1 mi 7.4
Hopkinson Francis Sch Philadelphia 1.2 mi 5.5
Ziegler William H Sch Philadelphia 1.6 mi 6.9
ST GEORGE INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.5 mi 4.7
Deep Roots CS Philadelphia 1.3 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19124 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$46,100

Median Home Value

$155,000

Median Rent

$1,063/mo

Population

70,763

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

62.6%

Avg Commute

32.9 min

Poverty Rate

30.5%

Median Age

32.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs has a median household income of $46,100. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $155,000, with a median rent of $1,063/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.5%, 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
MaST Community CS II Philadelphia, PA 2.9
Pennsylvania Distance Learning CS Sewickley, PA 3.8
Esperanza Academy CS Philadelphia, PA 3.9
Community Academy of Philadelphia CS Philadelphia, PA 4.2
Mariana Bracetti Academy CS Philadelphia, PA 4.2
Avon Grove CS West Grove, PA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs

What grades does First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs serve?

First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs?

First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs has an enrollment of approximately 1,818 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs?

The student-teacher ratio at First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs rank in PA?

First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs is ranked #2815 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs's MySchoolScout rating?

First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs has a composite rating of 3.0 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 First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs has 6.9% math proficiency and 22.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs a charter school?

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

Is First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs a Title I school?

No, First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for First Philadelphia Preparatory Cs?

100.0% of students at First Philadelphia Preparatory 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
71 Very Walkable
Transit Score
68 Good Transit
Bike Score
69 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
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
1,818
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
104
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

First Philadelphia Preparatory CS
District Enrollment
1,859
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,571
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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