Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#2831 of 2,846 schools in PA

Northwood Academy Cs

Elementary School · Northwood Academy CS

4621 Castor Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19124

Charter

Enrollment

705

Student-Teacher

18.6:1

Score

2.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,831 of 2,846

In Philadelphia

#292 of 300

public schools

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Northwood Academy Cs?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Northwood Academy Cs

2.2/10

Elementary School in Philadelphia · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

The Bridge

Nearby

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

The Philadelphia Cs for Arts and Sciences at Hr Edmunds

5.1/10

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

About Northwood Academy Cs

Northwood Academy Cs is a public elementary school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Northwood Academy CS. Northwood Academy Cs serves approximately 705 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 18.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Northwood Academy Cs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,831 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Northwood Academy Cs show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares4.2 pts below PA schools
  • This school 2.2 · Needs Improvement
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Northwood Academy 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.

38% of students at Northwood Academy Cs 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 Progress1.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.5% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.2% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-41 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.6 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment1.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,553
Chronic Absenteeism38.3%

Northwood Academy Cs — Students at Northwood Academy Cs score 20% 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 32.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
40.7% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 49.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.3% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 42 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
76%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
71%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
78%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
76%
ELA
69%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
61%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
61%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
63%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
58%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
58%
2020*
Math
7%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
13.7%
ELA
39.1%
2024
Math
10.4%
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: 1.7/10.

How Northwood Academy Cs Compares

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

Overall Score
2.2/10
1th percentile in PA
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.8/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.3%

Location

4621 Castor Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19124

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwood Academy Cs may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FRANKFORD FRIENDS SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST LUCY DAY SCHOOL FOR CHLDRN W VISUAL IMPAIRMENT (rated 7.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Universal Creighton CS (rated 7.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
THE BRIDGE Philadelphia 0.3 mi
The Philadelphia CS for Arts and Sciences at HR Edmunds Philadelphia 0.5 mi 5.1
FRANKFORD FRIENDS SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.5 mi 8.3
Marshall John Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 3.2
Frankford HS Philadelphia 0.5 mi 3.7
ST LUCY DAY SCHOOL FOR CHLDRN W VISUAL IMPAIRMENT Philadelphia 0.7 mi 7.4
Stearne Allen M Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.6
ST MARTIN OF TOURS SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.9 mi 6.9
Hopkinson Francis Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 4.4
Mariana Bracetti Academy CS Philadelphia 1.0 mi 4.8
Fels Samuel HS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 4.2
Universal Creighton CS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 7.3
First Philadelphia Preparatory CS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 3.2
Juniata Park Academy Philadelphia 1.1 mi 4.8
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.3 mi 7.3
Community Academy of Philadelphia CS Philadelphia 1.3 mi 5.9
Mastery CS-Smedley Campus Philadelphia 1.1 mi 5.2
Carnell Laura H Sch Philadelphia 1.4 mi 3.6
Harding Warren G MS Philadelphia 1.2 mi 4.3
Ziegler William H Sch Philadelphia 1.2 mi 3.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19124 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$46,100

Median Home Value

$155,000

Median Rent

$1,063/mo

Population

70,763

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

62.6%

Avg Commute

32.9 min

Poverty Rate

30.5%

Median Age

32.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Forrest Edwin Sch Philadelphia, PA 2.2
Disston Hamilton Sch Philadelphia, PA 2.3
Lauers Park El Sch Reading, PA 2.1
McClure Alexander K Sch Philadelphia, PA 2.1
People for People CS Philadelphia, PA 2.1
Russell Byers CS Philadelphia, PA 2.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwood Academy Cs

What grades does Northwood Academy Cs serve?

Northwood Academy Cs serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Northwood Academy Cs?

Northwood Academy Cs has an enrollment of approximately 705 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwood Academy Cs?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwood Academy Cs is 18.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwood Academy Cs rank in PA?

Northwood Academy Cs ranks #2,831 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Northwood Academy Cs's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwood Academy Cs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 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 Northwood Academy Cs?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northwood Academy Cs has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Northwood Academy Cs a charter school?

Yes, Northwood Academy Cs is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Northwood Academy Cs a Title I school?

No, Northwood Academy Cs is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwood Academy Cs?

100.0% of students at Northwood Academy 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
73 Very Walkable
Transit Score
65 Good Transit
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
705
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.3%

District

Northwood Academy CS
District Enrollment
705
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,553
District Rank
#1 of 1

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related 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.