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Average

#1802 of 2,846 schools in PA

Inquiry Cs

Elementary School · Inquiry CS

1630 Locust Street 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Charter

Enrollment

268

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,802 of 2,846

In Philadelphia

#79 of 300

public schools

School environment

7.0 / 10

Very Good

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Shortlisting around Inquiry Cs?

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Inquiry Cs

5.6/10

Elementary School in Philadelphia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Discovery Cs

2.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Global Leadership Academy Cs

2.0/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Inquiry Cs

Inquiry Cs is a public elementary school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Inquiry CS. Inquiry Cs serves approximately 268 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Inquiry Cs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,802 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Inquiry Cs show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts below PA schools
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Inquiry Cs 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.

Inquiry Cs 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data8
Annual Change-2.19 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.8% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.8% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-20.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,507
Chronic Absenteeism17.9%

Inquiry Cs — Students at Inquiry Cs score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.3% (multi-year average, 2016-2024)
School
State
46.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 38.2% (multi-year average, 2016-2024)
School
State
53.3% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 22 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2016
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
18.7%
ELA
38.2%
2024
Math
30.7%
ELA
30.5%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Inquiry Cs Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
37th percentile in PA
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.9%

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. QUBA INSTITUTE OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES (rated 6.8/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is KIPP West Philadelphia CS (rated 6.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Washington Martha Sch (rated 4.9/10, 0.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 2.9
Global Leadership Academy CS Philadelphia 0.2 mi 2.0
Blankenburg Rudolph Sch Philadelphia 0.2 mi 3.7
QUBA INSTITUTE OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES Philadelphia 0.3 mi 6.8
Philadelphia Learning Academy - West Philadelphia 0.4 mi 3.2
School of the Future Philadelphia 0.5 mi 3.7
Washington Martha Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 4.9
KIPP DuBois CS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 5.3
KIPP West Philadelphia CS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 6.8
Belmont CS Philadelphia 0.7 mi 4.3
Rhoads James Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 4.3
Parkway West Philadelphia 0.7 mi 4.6
Middle Years Alternative Philadelphia 0.7 mi 3.9
Locke Alain Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 4.3
KIPP Philadelphia Octavius Catto CS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 4.2
Mastery CS - Shoemaker Campus Philadelphia 0.9 mi 3.7
Heston Edward Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 2.3
WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY H.S. Philadelphia 1.2 mi 7.6
West Philadelphia HS Philadelphia 1.2 mi 4.3
Robeson HS for Human Services Philadelphia 1.3 mi 6.4

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Aldan El Sch Aldan, PA 5.6
CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL Lansdale, PA 5.6
Clearview El Sch Brogue, PA 5.6
Hamilton El Sch Lancaster, PA 5.6
Moore Sch Pittsburgh, PA 5.6
Mount Union-Kistler El Sch Mount Union, PA 5.6

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 ranks #1,802 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Inquiry Cs's MySchoolScout rating?

Inquiry Cs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Inquiry Cs?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Inquiry Cs has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
64 Good Transit
Bike Score
91 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.9%

District

Inquiry CS
District Enrollment
268
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,507
District Rank
#1 of 1

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