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Average

#1614 of 2,842 schools in PA

Southwark Sch

Elementary School · Philadelphia City SD

1835 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Enrollment

966

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Philadelphia

#150 of 300

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#1,010 of 1,625

In district

#135 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Southwark Sch

Southwark School serves 966 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Philadelphia's 19148 zip code. This regular public elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.3 to 1 with 63 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school currently has significant room for academic growth, with 31% of students performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and 20% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

Southwark School ranks in the 12th percentile among Pennsylvania elementary schools, placing at #2515 out of 2852 schools statewide. These performance indicators suggest the school is focusing on developing stronger academic foundations for its students. The school community draws from a diverse neighborhood where the median household income is $71,533 and home values average $269,400.

About 35% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 19.2% of families experience poverty, reflecting the mixed economic circumstances that characterize many urban school communities. Located on South 9th Street, Southwark School operates within Philadelphia's vibrant large city environment, serving families in a neighborhood that combines working-class roots with ongoing residential development and community investment.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Southwark Sch 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.55 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.4%
Math vs. State Avg-31.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.4 pts
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,638

Southwark Sch — Students at Southwark Sch score 26% 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 19.0%
School
State
40.7%
ELA Proficiency 30.8%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 18 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
21%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2024
Math
20.4%
ELA
31%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Southwark Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
43th percentile in PA
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
63 teachers

Location

1835 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwark Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fanny Jackson Coppin Sch (rated 8.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Key Francis Scott Sch (rated 8.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Nebinger George W Sch (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Key Francis Scott Sch Philadelphia 0.4 mi 8.0
Kirkbride Eliza B Sch Philadelphia 0.4 mi 5.6
South Philadelphia HS Philadelphia 0.5 mi 5.8
Fanny Jackson Coppin Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 8.7
THE BRIDGE WAY SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.6 mi
Furness Horace HS Philadelphia 0.5 mi 5.6
Christopher Columbus CS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 6.7
Taggart John H Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 7.7
Jenks Abram Sch Philadelphia 0.6 mi 7.5
Vare-Washington El Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 7.4
Fell D Newlin Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 6.8
Philadelphia Performing Arts CS Philadelphia 0.7 mi 4.5
Mastery CS -Thomas Campus Philadelphia 0.8 mi 6.1
BETHEL BAPTIST ACADEMY Philadelphia 0.7 mi 8.3
Sharswood George Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 6.4
Nebinger George W Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 8.0
Childs George W Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 7.1
Academy at Palumbo Philadelphia 1.0 mi 7.6
Creative and Performing Arts Philadelphia 1.0 mi 7.0
Universal Institute CS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 6.6

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 Southwark Sch 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
Bermudian Springs El Sch York Springs, PA 6.1
Central Manor El Sch Washington Boro, PA 6.1
Franklin El Sch Sewickley, PA 6.1
Groveland El Sch Doylestown, PA 6.1
Harry W Lockley Early Learning Center New Castle, PA 6.1
Independence CS Philadelphia, PA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwark Sch

What grades does Southwark Sch serve?

Southwark Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Southwark Sch?

Southwark Sch has an enrollment of approximately 966 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwark Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwark Sch is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southwark Sch rank in PA?

Southwark Sch is ranked #1614 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Southwark Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwark Sch has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Southwark Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwark Sch has 19.0% math proficiency and 30.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southwark Sch a charter school?

No, Southwark Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southwark Sch a Title I school?

No, Southwark Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwark Sch?

100.0% of students at Southwark 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
91 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
75 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
82 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
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
966
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
63
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
#135 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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