Below Average
#2484 of 2,842 schools in PA
Inquiry Cs
Elementary School · Inquiry CS
1630 Locust Street 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Enrollment
268
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
268
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Philadelphia
#257 of 300
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#1,436 of 1,625
About Inquiry Cs
Inquiry CS is a charter elementary school nestled in the heart of Philadelphia. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Inquiry CS has an enrollment of 268 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's focus is on providing a solid educational foundation for young learners in a city setting.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, Inquiry CS scores a 3.1 out of 10 overall, placing it at the 9th percentile among Pennsylvania schools. In terms of academic performance, 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 28% meet proficiency standards in Math. While these numbers suggest there is room for improvement, they also highlight the school's commitment to continuous development and support for its diverse student body.
Inquiry CS is situated in a bustling urban environment where it plays an integral role in providing quality education within the community.
What Parents Should Know
Inquiry 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Inquiry Cs — Students at Inquiry Cs score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 4.8/10.
How Inquiry Cs Compares
See how Inquiry Cs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 30.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 30.8% (2024).
Location
1630 Locust Street 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Inquiry Cs may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Locke Alain Sch (rated 7.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is KIPP West Philadelphia CS (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, QUBA INSTITUTE OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES (rated 6.8/10, 0.3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery CS Philadelphia | 0.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Global Leadership Academy CS Philadelphia | 0.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Blankenburg Rudolph Sch Philadelphia | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| QUBA INSTITUTE OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Philadelphia Learning Academy - West Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| School of the Future Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Washington Martha Sch Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| KIPP DuBois CS Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| KIPP West Philadelphia CS Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Belmont CS Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Rhoads James Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Parkway West Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Middle Years Alternative Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Locke Alain Sch Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| KIPP Philadelphia Octavius Catto CS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Mastery CS - Shoemaker Campus Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Heston Edward Sch Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY H.S. Philadelphia | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| West Philadelphia HS Philadelphia | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Robeson HS for Human Services Philadelphia | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
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 Inquiry 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 |
|---|---|
| Asa Packer El Sch Bethlehem, PA | 4.5 |
| Avis El Sch Jersey Shore, PA | 4.5 |
| Coebourn El Sch Brookhaven, PA | 4.5 |
| Paradise El Sch Thomasville, PA | 4.5 |
| Propel CS-East Pittsburgh, PA | 4.5 |
| Propel CS-Hazelwood Pittsburgh, PA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Inquiry Cs
What grades does Inquiry Cs serve?
Inquiry Cs serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Inquiry Cs?
Inquiry Cs has an enrollment of approximately 268 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Inquiry Cs?
The student-teacher ratio at Inquiry Cs is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Inquiry Cs rank in PA?
Inquiry Cs is ranked #2484 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Inquiry Cs's MySchoolScout rating?
Inquiry Cs has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Inquiry Cs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Inquiry Cs has 27.8% math proficiency and 34.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Inquiry Cs a charter school?
Yes, Inquiry Cs is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Inquiry Cs a Title I school?
No, Inquiry Cs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Inquiry Cs?
75.7% of students at Inquiry 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 268
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Philadelphia County
- Phone
- (215) 823-5541
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Inquiry CS- District Enrollment
- 268
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,507
- 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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