Average
#1823 of 2,842 schools in PA
Olney EL Sch
Elementary School · Philadelphia City SD
5301 N Water St, Philadelphia, PA 19120
Enrollment
693
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
693
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Philadelphia
#175 of 300
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#1,121 of 1,625
In district
#156 of 218
Philadelphia City SD
Academic growth
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Olney EL Sch
Olney El Sch is a regular public elementary school located in the bustling city of Philadelphia. With an enrollment of 693 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, it offers a supportive learning environment with 45 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to each child's growth. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.1 out of 10, placing it in the 25th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, indicating room for academic improvement.
In terms of test scores, Olney El Sch has shown areas where they are focusing on student development: only 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and a significantly lower percentage, 11%, is proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, the school continues to work diligently to provide its students with essential skills and support. Located at 5301 N Water St, Olney El Sch sits in a vibrant urban setting, where it serves as an integral part of the local community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Olney EL Sch are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Olney EL Sch — Students at Olney EL Sch score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.5/10.
How Olney EL Sch Compares
See how Olney EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 18% (2019) to 10.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 33.9% (2024).
Location
5301 N Water St, Philadelphia, PA 19120
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Olney EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. OLNEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Universal Creighton CS (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marshall Thurgood (rated 6.9/10, 0.7 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Olney HS Philadephia | 0.2 mi | — |
| Washington Grover Jr Sch Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 5.0 |
| OLNEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Morrison Andrew J Sch Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Feltonville Intermediate School Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Barton Clara Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Feltonville Sch of Arts & Sciences Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Lowell James R Sch Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Finletter Thomas K Sch Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Marshall Thurgood Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| SOPHIA ACADEMY Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | — |
| Universal Creighton CS Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Eugenio Maria DE Hostos CS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| ASPIRA Bilingual Cyber CS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Philadelphia Learning Academy - North Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Lindley Academy CS at Birney Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Cayuga School Philadelphia | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Franklin Benjamin Sch Philadelphia | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Esperanza Cyber CS Philadelphia | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Olney EL Sch has a median household income of $51,993. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,500, with a median rent of $1,186/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brownsville Area El Sch Brownsville, PA | 5.8 |
| Bucher Sch Lancaster, PA | 5.8 |
| Centerville El Sch Lancaster, PA | 5.8 |
| Disston Hamilton Sch Philadelphia, PA | 5.8 |
| East Vincent El Sch Spring City, PA | 5.8 |
| Five Points El Sch Bangor, PA | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Olney EL Sch
What grades does Olney EL Sch serve?
Olney EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Olney EL Sch?
Olney EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 693 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Olney EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Olney EL Sch is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Olney EL Sch rank in PA?
Olney EL Sch is ranked #1823 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Olney EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Olney EL Sch has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Olney EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Olney EL Sch has 10.8% math proficiency and 31.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Olney EL Sch a charter school?
No, Olney EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Olney EL Sch a Title I school?
No, Olney EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Olney EL Sch?
100.1% of students at Olney EL 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.
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
- 693
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Philadelphia County
- Phone
- (215) 400-3790
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Philadelphia City SD- District Enrollment
- 117,907
- Schools in District
- 220
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,897
- District Rank
- #156 of 218
Other Schools in This District
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
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.