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Below Average

#2528 of 2,842 schools in PA

Freire Cs

High School · Freire CS

2027 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Charter

Enrollment

953

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

4.4

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Philadelphia

#259 of 300

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#570 of 641

School environment

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Freire Cs

Freire CS serves 953 students in grades 5 through 12 as a charter high school in Philadelphia's Center City area. With 83 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio, providing relatively small class sizes for individualized attention. Academically, Freire CS has room for growth, with 36% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 9% in mathematics.

The school ranks in the 21st percentile among Pennsylvania schools, indicating significant opportunities for academic development and student support initiatives. The school's location at 2027 Chestnut Street places it in one of Philadelphia's most affluent neighborhoods, where the median household income reaches $93,740 and 83% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. This educated community environment, with its low 8.8% poverty rate and median home values of $537,200, provides a stable backdrop for the school's educational mission.

As a charter school in Philadelphia's urban landscape, Freire CS operates within a large city setting that offers students exposure to diverse cultural and professional opportunities. The school serves families in this well-educated, economically stable neighborhood while working to strengthen its academic outcomes and better serve its nearly 1,000 students across its grade 5-12 span.

What Parents Should Know

Freire 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 Progress3.6Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.5%
Math vs. State Avg-37.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.9 pts
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness3.0Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,876

Freire Cs — Students at Freire Cs score 21% 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

99.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 10.6%
School
State
37.8%
ELA Proficiency 37.6%
School
State
55.0%

Based on 16 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
24%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
29%
2024
Math
9%
ELA
36.4%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Freire Cs Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
11th percentile in PA
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
83 teachers

Location

2027 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Freire Cs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Creative and Performing Arts (rated 7.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Masterman Julia R Sec Sch (rated 6.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Franklin Benjamin HS (rated 4.7/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
PHILLY AGILE LEARNING COMMUNITY SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.1 mi
Greenfield Albert M Sch Philadelphia 0.2 mi 8.5
GREENE TOWNE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.3 mi
CLEMENTINE MONTESSORI Philadelphia 0.3 mi
Russell Byers CS Philadelphia 0.3 mi 4.1
THE CITY SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.5 mi 7.7
Philadelphia Electrical & Technology CHS Philadelphia 0.4 mi 3.3
Independence CS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 6.1
THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.5 mi 7.5
Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy Philadelphia 0.7 mi 8.9
Stanton Edwin M Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 8.2
OUR HOUSE MONTESSORI Philadelphia 0.9 mi
Universal Institute CS Philadelphia 0.9 mi 6.6
Masterman Julia R Sec Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 6.5
Waring Laura W Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 6.2
ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.0 mi 7.2
The SD of Philadelphia Virtual Academy Philadelphia 0.9 mi 4.9
Creative and Performing Arts Philadelphia 1.0 mi 7.0
Math Civics and Sciences CS Philadelphia 0.9 mi 2.6
Franklin Benjamin HS Philadelphia 1.0 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,940

Median Home Value

$551,700

Median Rent

$1,955/mo

Population

25,602

College Educated

81.1%

Homeownership

33.4%

Avg Commute

25.2 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

35.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Freire Cs has a median household income of $97,940. It is a well-educated community where 81% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $551,700, with a median rent of $1,955/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Ambridge Area HS Ambridge, PA 4.4
LANSDALE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Lansdale, PA 4.4
Northeastern SHS Manchester, PA 4.4
Northern HS Dillsburg, PA 4.4
Bethel Park HS Bethel Park, PA 4.5
Carbondale Area JSHS Carbondale, PA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Freire Cs

What grades does Freire Cs serve?

Freire Cs serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend Freire Cs?

Freire Cs has an enrollment of approximately 953 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Freire Cs?

The student-teacher ratio at Freire Cs is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Freire Cs rank in PA?

Freire Cs is ranked #2528 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Freire Cs's MySchoolScout rating?

Freire Cs has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Freire Cs?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Freire Cs has 10.6% math proficiency and 37.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Freire Cs a charter school?

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

Is Freire Cs a Title I school?

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

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

99.7% of students at Freire 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
100 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
100 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
94 Biker’s Paradise
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
5th – 12th
Enrollment
953
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
83
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Freire CS
District Enrollment
953
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,345
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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