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Below Average

#2403 of 2,846 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

4.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,403 of 2,846

In Philadelphia

#174 of 300

public schools

In district

#127 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

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Olney EL Sch

4.3/10

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

Olney HS

Nearby

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

Washington Grover JR Sch

4.2/10

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

About Olney EL Sch

Olney EL Sch is a public elementary school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Philadelphia City SD. Olney EL Sch serves approximately 693 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Olney EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,403 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Olney EL Sch show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.7
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at Olney EL 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-2.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.8% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.9% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-40.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.9 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,897
Chronic Absenteeism35.5%

Olney EL Sch — Students at Olney EL Sch score 22% 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

100.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
40.7% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 33.8% (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
64%
ELA
53%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
51%
2011
Math
44%
ELA
40%
2012
Math
38%
ELA
35%
2013
Math
35%
ELA
38%
2014
Math
9%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
31%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
41%
2018
Math
18%
ELA
36%
2019
Math
18%
ELA
36%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
6.9%
ELA
28.5%
2024
Math
10.9%
ELA
33.8%

* 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 Olney EL Sch Compares

See how Olney EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
16th percentile in PA
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.5%

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 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eugenio Maria DE Hostos CS (rated 5.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly 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 4.2
OLNEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.4 mi 7.4
Morrison Andrew J Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 3.7
Feltonville Intermediate School Philadelphia 0.7 mi 4.2
Barton Clara Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 4.9
Feltonville Sch of Arts & Sciences Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.5
Lowell James R Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.0
Finletter Thomas K Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 5.0
Marshall Thurgood Philadelphia 0.7 mi 4.2
SOPHIA ACADEMY Philadelphia 0.9 mi
Universal Creighton CS Philadelphia 0.8 mi 7.3
Eugenio Maria DE Hostos CS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 5.3
ASPIRA Bilingual Cyber CS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 5.8
Philadelphia Learning Academy - North Philadelphia 1.1 mi 4.8
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.9 mi 7.3
Lindley Academy CS at Birney Philadelphia 1.0 mi 4.7
Cayuga School Philadelphia 1.2 mi 4.4
Franklin Benjamin Sch Philadelphia 1.2 mi 4.6
Esperanza Cyber CS Philadelphia 1.3 mi 4.1

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
Baresville El Sch Hanover, PA 4.3
Bywood El Sch Upper Darby, PA 4.3
Daniel J Flood El Sch Wilkes-Barre, PA 4.3
Davis Sch York, PA 4.3
Foose Sch Harrisburg, PA 4.3
Highland Park El Sch Upper Darby, PA 4.3

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 ranks #2,403 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Olney EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Olney EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Olney EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Olney EL Sch has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
81 Very Walkable
Transit Score
63 Good Transit
Bike Score
61 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.5%

District

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

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