Needs Improvement
#2773 of 2,842 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
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
831
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Philadelphia
#291 of 300
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#1,587 of 1,625
About Independence Cs West
Independence CS West is a charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in West Philadelphia. With 831 students and 45 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.5:1, offering smaller class sizes compared to many traditional public schools. Academically, Independence CS West is working toward significant improvement.
Current proficiency rates show that 24% of students are meeting or exceeding standards in English language arts, while 9% are proficient in mathematics. These results indicate the school has considerable room for growth in student achievement, with particular focus needed in math instruction. The school's academic performance ranks in the lowest percentile statewide, reflecting the challenges it's addressing.
Located at 5600 Chester Avenue in Philadelphia's 19143 zip code, Independence CS West serves the large city environment of West Philadelphia. As a charter school within the public system, it offers families an alternative educational option in the neighborhood while working to strengthen its academic programs and outcomes for students.
What Parents Should Know
Independence Cs West 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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 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: 4.7/10.
How Independence Cs West Compares
See how Independence Cs West performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 8.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 22.9% (2024).
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. Catharine Joseph Sch (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morton Thomas G Sch (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST BARNABAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL IMS (rated 6.9/10, 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Independence Cs West has a median household income of $47,964. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $152,000, with a median rent of $1,235/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 35 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 |
|---|---|
| Crestview El Sch Carlisle, PA | 3.5 |
| Millmont El Sch Reading, PA | 3.5 |
| Buffalo El Sch Freeport, PA | 3.6 |
| Dana El Ctr Forty Fort, PA | 3.6 |
| Fountain Hill El Sch Bethlehem, PA | 3.4 |
| Juniata Gap El Sch Altoona, PA | 3.6 |
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 is ranked #2773 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Independence Cs West's MySchoolScout rating?
Independence Cs West has a composite rating of 3.5 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 West?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence Cs West has 9.2% math proficiency and 23.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 831
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Philadelphia County
- Phone
- (215) 724-5600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Independence CS West- District Enrollment
- 845
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,954
- 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.