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Very Good

#763 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 27% in state

Philadelphia Learning Academy - West

High School · Philadelphia City SD

4300 Westminster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Enrollment

60

Student-Teacher

6:1

Score

7.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Philadelphia

#47 of 300

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#91 of 641

In district

#45 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Philadelphia Learning Academy - West

Philadelphia Learning Academy - West is a public high school located in the bustling heart of Philadelphia, at 4300 Westminster Avenue. Serving grades 9 through 12, this small but dedicated institution enrolls just 60 students and maintains an intimate student-teacher ratio of 6:1, with ten full-time equivalent teachers on staff. While academic performance indicators show room for improvement—state rankings place the school at 30th percentile, and proficiency rates in ELA/Reading and Math hover around 18% and 7%, respectively—the tight-knit community fosters a supportive environment where each student receives individual attention.

The personalized approach to education is evident through small class sizes and committed educators. Philadelphia Learning Academy - West stands out as a beacon of hope within its urban setting, focusing on nurturing the unique needs of its students in one of America's largest cities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 60 students, Philadelphia Learning Academy - West is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Philadelphia Learning Academy - West 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, Philadelphia Learning Academy - West offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics3.0Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-32 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness8.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,638

Philadelphia Learning Academy - West — Students at Philadelphia Learning Academy - West score 18% 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 6.7%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 17.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
25%
2024

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Philadelphia Learning Academy - West Compares

See how Philadelphia Learning Academy - West performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
73th percentile in PA
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

4300 Westminster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Philadelphia Learning Academy - West may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY H.S. (rated 7.6/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Parkway West (rated 6.8/10, 0.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, School of the Future (rated 6.2/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Washington Martha Sch Philadelphia 0.3 mi 5.1
QUBA INSTITUTE OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES Philadelphia 0.3 mi 6.8
Blankenburg Rudolph Sch Philadelphia 0.3 mi 6.4
Inquiry CS Philadelphia 0.4 mi 4.5
Global Leadership Academy CS Philadelphia 0.4 mi 3.9
Belmont CS Philadelphia 0.4 mi 4.2
Parkway West Philadelphia 0.4 mi 6.8
Middle Years Alternative Philadelphia 0.4 mi 5.9
Locke Alain Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 7.2
Discovery CS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 4.2
School of the Future Philadelphia 0.6 mi 6.2
Rhoads James Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 6.0
KIPP Philadelphia Octavius Catto CS Philadelphia 0.7 mi 4.9
WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY H.S. Philadelphia 0.8 mi 7.6
Robeson HS for Human Services Philadelphia 0.9 mi 5.5
West Philadelphia HS Philadelphia 0.9 mi 5.6
THE ISLAMIC EDUCATION SCHOOL -TIES Philadelphia 1.0 mi 8.4
KIPP DuBois CS Philadelphia 0.9 mi 5.9
KIPP West Philadelphia CS Philadelphia 0.9 mi 6.9
Lea Henry C Sch Philadelphia 1.1 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$39,526

Median Home Value

$268,200

Median Rent

$1,329/mo

Population

54,454

College Educated

46.9%

Homeownership

17.8%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

36.9%

Median Age

23.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Philadelphia Learning Academy - West has a median household income of $39,526. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $268,200, with a median rent of $1,329/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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
ANTHONY WAYNE ACADEMY Philadelphia, PA 7.4
DEVEREUX MAPLETON SCHOOL Malvern, PA 7.4
HARBORCREEK YOUTH SERVICES Harborcreek, PA 7.4
HILL TOP PREPARATORY SCHOOL Bryn Mawr, PA 7.4
Forbes Road Career and Technology Center Monroeville, PA 7.5
PATHWAYS EDUCATION CENTER Oil City, PA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Philadelphia Learning Academy - West

What grades does Philadelphia Learning Academy - West serve?

Philadelphia Learning Academy - West serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Philadelphia Learning Academy - West?

Philadelphia Learning Academy - West has an enrollment of approximately 60 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Philadelphia Learning Academy - West?

The student-teacher ratio at Philadelphia Learning Academy - West is 6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Philadelphia Learning Academy - West rank in PA?

Philadelphia Learning Academy - West is ranked #763 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Philadelphia Learning Academy - West's MySchoolScout rating?

Philadelphia Learning Academy - West has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Philadelphia Learning Academy - West?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Philadelphia Learning Academy - West has 6.7% math proficiency and 17.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Philadelphia Learning Academy - West a charter school?

No, Philadelphia Learning Academy - West is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Philadelphia Learning Academy - West a Title I school?

No, Philadelphia Learning Academy - West is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Philadelphia Learning Academy - West?

100.0% of students at Philadelphia Learning Academy - West 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
83 Very Walkable
Transit Score
68 Good Transit
Bike Score
73 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,504/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Philadelphia). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
60
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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