Average
#2000 of 2,846 schools in PA
Independence Cs West
Elementary School · Independence CS West
5600 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Enrollment
831
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
831
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#2,000 of 2,846
In Philadelphia
#104 of 300
public schools
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Independence Cs West
Elementary School in Philadelphia · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mitchell EL Sch
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
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0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Independence Cs West
Independence Cs West is a public elementary school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Independence CS West. Independence Cs West serves approximately 831 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 18.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Independence Cs West has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,000 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Independence Cs West show 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- PA avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Independence Cs West sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Independence Cs West is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
36% of students at Independence Cs West were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Independence Cs West — Students at Independence Cs West score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 28 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Independence Cs West Compares
See how Independence Cs West performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
5600 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Independence Cs West may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST BARNABAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL IMS (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BEULAH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST BARNABAS IMS SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19143 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$47,964
Median Home Value
$152,000
Median Rent
$1,235/mo
Population
62,503
College Educated
31.5%
Homeownership
49.9%
Avg Commute
35.2 min
Poverty Rate
23.1%
Median Age
33.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| KIPP North Philadelphia CS Philadelphia, PA | 5.2 |
| Mastery CS-Smedley Campus Philadelphia, PA | 5.2 |
| Moore J Hampton Sch Philadelphia, PA | 5.2 |
| Old Forge El Sch Old Forge, PA | 5.2 |
| Rhawnhurst Sch Philadelphia, PA | 5.2 |
| Warren L Miller El Sch Mansfield, PA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Independence Cs West
What grades does Independence Cs West serve?
Independence Cs West serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Independence Cs West?
Independence Cs West has an enrollment of approximately 831 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Cs West?
The student-teacher ratio at Independence Cs West is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Independence Cs West rank in PA?
Independence Cs West ranks #2,000 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Independence Cs West's MySchoolScout rating?
Independence Cs West has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Independence Cs West?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Independence Cs West has 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).
Is Independence Cs West a charter school?
Yes, Independence Cs West is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Independence Cs West a Title I school?
No, Independence Cs West is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independence Cs West?
100.0% of students at Independence Cs West qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 831
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Philadelphia County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.6%
- Phone
- (215) 724-5600
Resources & Links
District
Independence CS West- District Enrollment
- 845
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,954
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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