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Below Average

#2518 of 2,846 schools in PA

Lowell James R Sch

Elementary School · Philadelphia City SD

450 W Nedro Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19120

Enrollment

522

Student-Teacher

17.4:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,518 of 2,846

In Philadelphia

#203 of 300

public schools

In district

#150 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

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Lowell James R Sch

4.0/10

Elementary School in Philadelphia · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sophia Academy

Nearby

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

Eugenio Maria De Hostos Cs

5.3/10

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

About Lowell James R Sch

Lowell James R Sch is a public elementary school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Philadelphia City SD. Lowell James R Sch serves approximately 522 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Lowell James R Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,518 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Lowell James R Sch show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.7
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

34% of students at Lowell James R Sch 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 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.9% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.4% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-39.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.4 pts
Overall Proficiency19% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-14.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,897
Chronic Absenteeism33.7%

Lowell James R Sch — Students at Lowell James R Sch score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 23.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
47.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 30.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.5% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 34 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
48%
ELA
38%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
43%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
44%
2012
Math
46%
ELA
44%
2013
Math
48%
ELA
40%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
29%
2016
Math
14%
ELA
29%
2017
Math
13%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
16%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
16%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2024
Math
11.9%
ELA
26.3%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Lowell James R Sch Compares

See how Lowell James R Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
12th percentile in PA
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.7%

Location

450 W Nedro Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19120

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lowell James R Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LOGAN HOPE SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is OLNEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eugenio Maria DE Hostos CS (rated 5.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
SOPHIA ACADEMY Philadelphia 0.1 mi
Eugenio Maria DE Hostos CS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 5.3
ASPIRA Bilingual Cyber CS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 5.8
Finletter Thomas K Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 5.0
Morrison Andrew J Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 3.7
Marshall Thurgood Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.2
Washington Grover Jr Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 4.2
Olney El Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.3
Olney HS Philadephia 0.9 mi
Howe Julia Ward Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 5.3
Lindley Academy CS at Birney Philadelphia 0.9 mi 4.7
Ellwood Sch Philadelphia 1.1 mi 4.1
Girls HS Philadelphia 0.9 mi 7.6
Widener Memorial Sch Philadelphia 1.0 mi 3.1
OLNEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.2 mi 7.4
LOGAN HOPE SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.2 mi 7.7
Central HS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 8.3
Prince Hall Sch Philadelphia 1.2 mi 4.0
Wagner Gen Louis MS Philadelphia 1.2 mi 2.2
Pennell Joseph Sch Philadelphia 1.2 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,993

Median Home Value

$143,500

Median Rent

$1,186/mo

Population

68,078

College Educated

13.4%

Homeownership

68.8%

Avg Commute

37.3 min

Poverty Rate

25.3%

Median Age

35

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Darby Twp Sch Glenolden, PA 4.0
Freemansburg El Sch Freemansburg, PA 4.0
Hillcrest El Sch Drexel Hill, PA 4.0
Martin School Lancaster, PA 4.0
Prince Hall Sch Philadelphia, PA 4.0
Reynolds El Sch Greenville, PA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lowell James R Sch

What grades does Lowell James R Sch serve?

Lowell James R Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Lowell James R Sch?

Lowell James R Sch has an enrollment of approximately 522 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lowell James R Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Lowell James R Sch is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lowell James R Sch rank in PA?

Lowell James R Sch ranks #2,518 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Lowell James R Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Lowell James R Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Lowell James R Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lowell James R Sch has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Lowell James R Sch a charter school?

No, Lowell James R Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lowell James R Sch a Title I school?

No, Lowell James R Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lowell James R Sch?

100.0% of students at Lowell James R Sch 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
90 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
79 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
54 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
522
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.7%

District

Philadelphia City SD
District Enrollment
117,907
Schools in District
220
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,897
District Rank
#150 of 218

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