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
Enrollment
60
Student-Teacher
6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Philadelphia Learning Academy - West — Students at Philadelphia Learning Academy - West score 18% 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 5 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
Average 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: 9.9/10.
How Philadelphia Learning Academy - West Compares
See how Philadelphia Learning Academy - West performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (215) 400-9080
- 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
- #45 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
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