Average
#1563 of 2,842 schools in PA
Independence Cs
Elementary School · Independence CS
1600 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Enrollment
794
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
794
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Philadelphia
#148 of 300
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#984 of 1,625
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Independence Cs
Independence CS serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Philadelphia's Center City neighborhood, located at 1600 Lombard Street. The charter school enrolls 794 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.6 to 1, supported by 63 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Independence CS is working to strengthen student achievement.
In English language arts, approximately 49% of students performed at or above proficiency levels, while math proficiency stood at 38% across grades. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks at the 52nd percentile among Pennsylvania schools, placing it at #1368 out of 2,852 statewide. As a charter school, Independence CS operates within Philadelphia's public school system, offering families an alternative educational option in the city.
The school's location in a large city setting provides access to the cultural, educational, and community resources that Philadelphia offers. For families considering Independence CS, understanding current academic performance alongside the school's specific programs and community involvement can help inform school choice decisions.
What Parents Should Know
Independence 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
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Independence Cs — Students at Independence Cs score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.3/10.
How Independence Cs Compares
See how Independence Cs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 38.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 46.8% (2024).
Location
1600 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Independence Cs may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy (rated 8.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fanny Jackson Coppin Sch (rated 8.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McCall Gen George A Sch (rated 8.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THE CITY SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Universal Institute CS Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Stanton Edwin M Sch Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Creative and Performing Arts Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Academy at Palumbo Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Freire CS Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 4.4 |
| PHILLY AGILE LEARNING COMMUNITY SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | — |
| Russell Byers CS Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Christopher Columbus CS Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Greenfield Albert M Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Philadelphia Electrical & Technology CHS Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Fanny Jackson Coppin Sch Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 8.7 |
| CLEMENTINE MONTESSORI Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | — |
| GREENE TOWNE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | — |
| THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Childs George W Sch Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| McCall Gen George A Sch Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 8.6 |
| THE BRIDGE WAY SCHOOL Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | — |
| Nebinger George W Sch Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19146 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$99,702
Median Home Value
$452,200
Median Rent
$1,708/mo
Population
40,845
College Educated
64.9%
Homeownership
52.5%
Avg Commute
28.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
33.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Independence Cs has a median household income of $99,702. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $452,200, with a median rent of $1,708/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Belmont Hills El Sch Bensalem, PA | 6.1 |
| Bermudian Springs El Sch York Springs, PA | 6.1 |
| Central Manor El Sch Washington Boro, PA | 6.1 |
| Cornwells El Sch Bensalem, PA | 6.1 |
| Dunbar Twp El Sch Connellsville, PA | 6.1 |
| Foot of Ten El Sch Duncansville, PA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Independence Cs
What grades does Independence Cs serve?
Independence Cs serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Independence Cs?
Independence Cs has an enrollment of approximately 794 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Cs?
The student-teacher ratio at Independence Cs is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Independence Cs rank in PA?
Independence Cs is ranked #1563 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Independence Cs's MySchoolScout rating?
Independence Cs has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Independence Cs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence Cs has 38.2% math proficiency and 49.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Independence Cs a charter school?
Yes, Independence Cs is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Independence Cs a Title I school?
No, Independence Cs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independence Cs?
99.9% of students at Independence 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 794
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 63
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Philadelphia County
- Phone
- (215) 238-8000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Independence CS- District Enrollment
- 800
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,985
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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