Needs Improvement
#2836 of 2,842 schools in PA
Northwood Academy Cs
Elementary School · Northwood Academy CS
4621 Castor Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19124
Enrollment
705
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
2.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
705
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
2.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Philadelphia
#298 of 300
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#1,620 of 1,625
About Northwood Academy Cs
Northwood Academy CS is a charter school located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade students, Northwood Academy CS has an enrollment of 705 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.6:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance currently places it in the lower percentile among Pennsylvania schools, with only 34% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 13% proficiency or above in Math.
While Northwood Academy CS is focusing on student development and growth, parents may want to consider additional factors such as classroom experience, extracurricular activities, and community support when evaluating the school. Located in a bustling urban setting, Northwood Academy CS is part of Philadelphia's diverse educational landscape.
What Parents Should Know
Northwood Academy 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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Northwood Academy Cs — Students at Northwood Academy Cs score 20% 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: 2.3/10.
How Northwood Academy Cs Compares
See how Northwood Academy Cs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 10.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 30.2% (2024).
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, Marshall John Sch (rated 7.2/10, 0.5 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 | 5.0 |
| FRANKFORD FRIENDS SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Marshall John Sch Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Frankford HS Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| ST LUCY DAY SCHOOL FOR CHLDRN W VISUAL IMPAIRMENT Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Stearne Allen M Sch Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| ST MARTIN OF TOURS SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Hopkinson Francis Sch Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Mariana Bracetti Academy CS Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Fels Samuel HS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Universal Creighton CS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| First Philadelphia Preparatory CS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Juniata Park Academy Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Community Academy of Philadelphia CS Philadelphia | 1.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Mastery CS-Smedley Campus Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Carnell Laura H Sch Philadelphia | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Harding Warren G MS Philadelphia | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Ziegler William H Sch Philadelphia | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwood Academy Cs has a median household income of $46,100. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $155,000, with a median rent of $1,063/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Edgmont Scholars Academy Chester, PA | 2.4 |
| Thomas W Holtzman Jr El Sch Harrisburg, PA | 2.6 |
| Amanda E Stout El Sch Reading, PA | 2.2 |
| Gilbertsville El Sch Gilbertsville, PA | 2.8 |
| Washington El Sch Barto, PA | 2.8 |
| Alliance for Progress 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 is ranked #2836 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Northwood Academy Cs's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwood Academy Cs has a composite rating of 2.5 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 Northwood Academy Cs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwood Academy Cs has 12.6% math proficiency and 34.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 705
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Philadelphia County
- Phone
- (215) 289-5606
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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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