Very Good
#140 of 872 private schools in PA
Top 16% of private schools
The City School
School
315 S 17TH ST, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 297 schools in Philadelphia. Learn more
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Philadelphia
#12 of 95
public schools
Pennsylvania schools
#65 of 305
About The City School
The City School is a regular public school located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, The City School offers a comprehensive education to its diverse student body of 418 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1 and 44 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention and support for each child's learning journey.
While academic performance metrics place the school in the lower quartile among Pennsylvania schools, The City School focuses on fostering a nurturing environment that supports student development and growth. The school aims to provide its students with a strong foundation as they navigate their educational paths within the vibrant city of Philadelphia. The City School is situated in the heart of this bustling urban center, offering students a rich array of cultural and community resources right at their doorstep.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, The City School 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.
As a private school, The City School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $12,743
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $11,642
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 0.91x — Tight
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 49%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $11.7M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 418 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow The City School compares to 300 public schools serving similar grades in Philadelphia, PA
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The City School (this school) | 7.7 |
| Independence CS | 6.1 |
| Universal Institute CS | 6.6 |
| Stanton Edwin M Sch | 8.2 |
| Freire CS | 4.4 |
| Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy | 8.9 |
| Creative and Performing Arts | 7.0 |
| Greenfield Albert M Sch | 8.5 |
| Russell Byers CS | 4.1 |
| Academy at Palumbo | 7.6 |
| Philadelphia Electrical & Technology CHS | 3.3 |
| McCall Gen George A Sch | 8.6 |
| Christopher Columbus CS | 6.7 |
| Fanny Jackson Coppin Sch | 8.7 |
| National Constitution Center HS | 7.3 |
| The SD of Philadelphia Virtual Academy | 4.9 |
| Math Civics and Sciences CS | 2.6 |
| Childs George W Sch | 7.1 |
| Nebinger George W Sch | 8.0 |
| Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures CS | 7.9 |
| Meredith William M Sch | 8.6 |
Showing 20 of 300 schools. View all schools in Philadelphia
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in PA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in PA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
315 S 17TH ST, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The City School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Universal Institute CS (rated 6.6/10, 0.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is The SD of Philadelphia Virtual Academy (rated 4.9/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Math Civics and Sciences CS (rated 2.6/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Independence CS Philadelphia | 0.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Universal Institute CS Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Stanton Edwin M Sch Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Freire CS Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 8.9 |
| Creative and Performing Arts Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Russell Byers CS Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| PHILLY AGILE LEARNING COMMUNITY SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | — |
| Greenfield Albert M Sch Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Philadelphia Electrical & Technology CHS Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 3.3 |
| CLEMENTINE MONTESSORI Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | — |
| Academy at Palumbo Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| GREENE TOWNE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | — |
| THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Christopher Columbus CS Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Fanny Jackson Coppin Sch Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| The SD of Philadelphia Virtual Academy Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Childs George W Sch Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Math Civics and Sciences CS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 2.6 |
| OUR HOUSE MONTESSORI Philadelphia | 1.2 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,940
Median Home Value
$551,700
Median Rent
$1,955/mo
Population
25,602
College Educated
81.1%
Homeownership
33.4%
Avg Commute
25.2 min
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Median Age
35.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding The City School has a median household income of $97,940. It is a well-educated community where 81% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $551,700, with a median rent of $1,955/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| DAVIDSON SCHOOL Elwyn, PA | 7.8 |
| HARRISBURG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harrisburg, PA | 7.8 |
| PHIL-MONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Erdenheim, PA | 7.6 |
| COVENTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS, INC. Pottstown, PA | 7.5 |
| LANCASTER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Lancaster, PA | 7.5 |
| THE AGNES IRWIN SCHOOL Bryn Mawr, PA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The City School
What grades does The City School serve?
The City School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend The City School?
The City School has an enrollment of approximately 418 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The City School?
The student-teacher ratio at The City School is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The City School rank in PA?
The City School is ranked #140 out of 872 private schools in PA.
What is The City School's MySchoolScout rating?
The City School has a composite rating of 7.7 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.
Is The City School a private school?
Yes, The City School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is The City School a religious school?
The City School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 99 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 100 Rider’s Paradise
- Bike Score
- 89 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (5,504/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Philadelphia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 418
- Gender Split
- 50% M / 50% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 7.3 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- PHILADELPHIA
- Phone
- (215) 731-1930
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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