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Needs Improvement

#2609 of 2,846 schools in PA

School of the Future

High School · Philadelphia City SD

4021 Parkside Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Enrollment

560

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

3.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,609 of 2,846

In Philadelphia

#222 of 300

public schools

In district

#162 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

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School of the Future

3.7/10

High School in Philadelphia · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Belmont Cs

4.3/10

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

Inquiry Cs

5.6/10

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

About School of the Future

School of the Future is a public high school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Philadelphia City SD. School of the Future serves approximately 560 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. School of the Future has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,609 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for School of the Future show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.8
  • PA avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at School of the Future sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

57% of students at School of the Future 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.87 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4.1% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.3% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-37.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-40.7 pts
Overall Proficiency14% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-19.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness2.4Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate62%
AP Participation12%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,897
Chronic Absenteeism56.8%

School of the Future — Students at School of the Future score 14% 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 16.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 35.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
64.0% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 28 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2010
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
4.1%
ELA
23.3%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How School of the Future Compares

See how School of the Future performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
8th percentile in PA
Academic
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.8
Sports
10
5 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
56.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
12% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics10sports offered
5 boys'·5 girls'·12 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4021 Parkside Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering School of the Future may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY H.S. (rated 7.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Robeson HS for Human Services (rated 6.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KIPP DuBois CS (rated 5.3/10, 1.0 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
Belmont CS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 4.3
Inquiry CS Philadelphia 0.5 mi 5.6
Philadelphia Learning Academy - West Philadelphia 0.6 mi 3.2
Discovery CS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 2.9
Blankenburg Rudolph Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 3.7
QUBA INSTITUTE OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES Philadelphia 0.7 mi 6.8
Global Leadership Academy CS Philadelphia 0.7 mi 2.0
Washington Martha Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 4.9
McMichael Morton Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 5.3
Locke Alain Sch Philadelphia 1.0 mi 4.3
Parkway West Philadelphia 1.0 mi 4.6
Middle Years Alternative Philadelphia 1.0 mi 3.9
KIPP DuBois CS Philadelphia 1.0 mi 5.3
KIPP West Philadelphia CS Philadelphia 1.0 mi 6.8
Rhoads James Sch Philadelphia 1.0 mi 4.3
Robeson HS for Human Services Philadelphia 1.3 mi 6.4
REVOLUTION SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.0 mi
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.0 mi 6.3
KIPP Philadelphia Octavius Catto CS Philadelphia 1.2 mi 4.2
WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY H.S. Philadelphia 1.3 mi 7.6

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Mahanoy Area JSHS Mahanoy City, PA 3.7
Mastery CS - Shoemaker Campus Philadelphia, PA 3.7
Philadelphia Electrical & Technology CHS Philadelphia, PA 3.7
Williams Valley JSHS Tower City, PA 3.8
King Martin Luther HS Philadelphia, PA 3.9
Minersville Area JSHS Minersville, PA 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about School of the Future

What grades does School of the Future serve?

School of the Future serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend School of the Future?

School of the Future has an enrollment of approximately 560 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at School of the Future?

The student-teacher ratio at School of the Future is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does School of the Future rank in PA?

School of the Future ranks #2,609 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is School of the Future's MySchoolScout rating?

School of the Future has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 School of the Future?

Based on loaded state assessment records, School of the Future has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is School of the Future a charter school?

No, School of the Future is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is School of the Future a Title I school?

No, School of the Future is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for School of the Future?

100.0% of students at School of the Future 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
53 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
60 Good Transit
Bike Score
95 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
56.8%
4-Year Graduation
62.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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