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Average

#1827 of 2,842 schools in PA

South Philadelphia HS

High School · Philadelphia City SD

2101 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Enrollment

656

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Philadelphia

#179 of 300

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#358 of 641

In district

#160 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About South Philadelphia HS

South Philadelphia HS is a regular public high school located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 656 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1. South Philadelphia HS boasts 61 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its students.

The academic performance at South Philadelphia HS reflects areas where the school is focusing on improvement, as indicated by a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.8 out of 10. The school ranks 40th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, placing it at #1725 out of 2852 in the state. In terms of proficiency rates, only 24% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while just 8% achieve proficiency in math.

Despite these challenges, South Philadelphia HS is a community-focused school located in the bustling city environment of Philadelphia, where it aims to support its diverse student body through dedicated teachers and available resources.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at South Philadelphia HS 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-34.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-39 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-16.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,638

South Philadelphia HS — Students at South Philadelphia HS score 16% 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

100.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 7.7%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 23.9%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 6 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
8%
ELA
34.7%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How South Philadelphia HS Compares

See how South Philadelphia HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
36th percentile in PA
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
61 teachers

Location

2101 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Philadelphia HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Creative and Performing Arts (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gamp (rated 6.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Furness Horace HS (rated 5.6/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
BETHEL BAPTIST ACADEMY Philadelphia 0.2 mi 8.3
Philadelphia Performing Arts CS Philadelphia 0.3 mi 4.5
Jenks Abram Sch Philadelphia 0.3 mi 7.5
Key Francis Scott Sch Philadelphia 0.4 mi 8.0
Southwark Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 6.1
Girard Stephen Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 7.9
Fell D Newlin Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 6.8
Childs George W Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 7.1
Mastery CS -Thomas Campus Philadelphia 0.6 mi 6.1
Christopher Columbus CS Philadelphia 0.8 mi 6.7
Fanny Jackson Coppin Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 8.7
Bregy F Amedee Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 6.2
Kirkbride Eliza B Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 5.6
McDaniel Delaplaine Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 6.9
Taggart John H Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 7.7
Gamp Philadelphia 0.8 mi 6.4
THE BRIDGE WAY SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.0 mi
Creative and Performing Arts Philadelphia 1.1 mi 7.0
Stanton Edwin M Sch Philadelphia 1.2 mi 8.2
Furness Horace HS Philadelphia 0.9 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19148 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,469

Median Home Value

$296,800

Median Rent

$1,492/mo

Population

50,777

College Educated

39.3%

Homeownership

66.1%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

14.9%

Median Age

37.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Philadelphia HS has a median household income of $80,469. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $296,800, with a median rent of $1,492/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush Philadelphia, PA 5.8
Berwick Area HS Berwick, PA 5.8
CONWELL EGAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Fairless Hills, PA 5.8
Central Valley HS Monaca, PA 5.8
Corry Area HS Corry, PA 5.8
Forest Hills JSHS Sidman, PA 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Philadelphia HS

What grades does South Philadelphia HS serve?

South Philadelphia HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend South Philadelphia HS?

South Philadelphia HS has an enrollment of approximately 656 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Philadelphia HS?

The student-teacher ratio at South Philadelphia HS is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Philadelphia HS rank in PA?

South Philadelphia HS is ranked #1827 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is South Philadelphia HS's MySchoolScout rating?

South Philadelphia HS 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 South Philadelphia HS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Philadelphia HS has 7.7% math proficiency and 23.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Philadelphia HS a charter school?

No, South Philadelphia HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Philadelphia HS a Title I school?

No, South Philadelphia HS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Philadelphia HS?

100.2% of students at South Philadelphia HS 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

City Safety
High (5,504/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
656
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
61
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.2%
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
#160 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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