Average
#1245 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 44% in state
Universal Institute Cs
School · Universal Institute CS
800 S 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Enrollment
563
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 9th
Enrollment
563
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 9th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Philadelphia
#107 of 300
public schools
Pennsylvania schools
#9 of 62
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Universal Institute Cs
Universal Institute CS is a charter school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Serving kindergarten through ninth grade, the school has an enrollment of 563 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.6:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. The MySchoolScout rating for Universal Institute CS stands at 3.9 out of 10, placing it in the 22nd percentile among Pennsylvania schools.
Academically, students perform around the state average, with 36% proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 16% proficient or above in math. These scores suggest that while there is room for improvement, the school remains committed to student development and continuous academic growth. Located in a large city, Universal Institute CS benefits from being part of Philadelphia’s diverse educational landscape, offering its students access to urban resources and cultural opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
Universal Institute Cs is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Universal Institute Cs — Students at Universal Institute Cs score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How Universal Institute Cs Compares
See how Universal Institute Cs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 16% (2019) to 17.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 36% (2019) to 37.4% (2024).
Location
800 S 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Universal Institute Cs may also want to explore other schools in the area. Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy (rated 8.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fanny Jackson Coppin Sch (rated 8.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McCall Gen George A Sch (rated 8.6/10, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Creative and Performing Arts Philadelphia | 0.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Stanton Edwin M Sch Philadelphia | 0.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Independence CS Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Academy at Palumbo Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| THE CITY SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Christopher Columbus CS Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Fanny Jackson Coppin Sch Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 8.9 |
| Childs George W Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| THE BRIDGE WAY SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | — |
| Freire CS Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Nebinger George W Sch Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| PHILLY AGILE LEARNING COMMUNITY SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | — |
| Greenfield Albert M Sch Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | 8.5 |
| McCall Gen George A Sch Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Russell Byers CS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 4.1 |
| THE PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Kirkbride Eliza B Sch Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Philadelphia Electrical & Technology CHS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 3.3 |
| Southwark Sch Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19146 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$99,702
Median Home Value
$452,200
Median Rent
$1,708/mo
Population
40,845
College Educated
64.9%
Homeownership
52.5%
Avg Commute
28.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
33.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Universal Institute Cs has a median household income of $99,702. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $452,200, with a median rent of $1,708/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. 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 |
|---|---|
| DOCK MENNONITE ACADEMY Lansdale, PA | 6.7 |
| Chester Charter Scholars Academy CS Chester, PA | 6.3 |
| FAITH CHRISTAIN ACADEMY LOWER Sellersville, PA | 6.2 |
| MEADOWBROOK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Milton, PA | 6.1 |
| WINCHESTER THURSTON SCHOOL Allison Park, PA | 7.1 |
| DUBOIS AREA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Du Bois, PA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Universal Institute Cs
What grades does Universal Institute Cs serve?
Universal Institute Cs serves students in grades Kindergarten through 9th.
How many students attend Universal Institute Cs?
Universal Institute Cs has an enrollment of approximately 563 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Universal Institute Cs?
The student-teacher ratio at Universal Institute Cs is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Universal Institute Cs rank in PA?
Universal Institute Cs is ranked #1245 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Universal Institute Cs's MySchoolScout rating?
Universal Institute Cs has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Universal Institute Cs?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Universal Institute Cs has 15.6% math proficiency and 36.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Universal Institute Cs a charter school?
Yes, Universal Institute Cs is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Universal Institute Cs a Title I school?
No, Universal Institute Cs is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Universal Institute Cs?
100.2% of students at Universal Institute Cs 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
- City Safety
- High (5,504/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Philadelphia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 9th
- Enrollment
- 563
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Philadelphia County
- Phone
- (215) 732-7988
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Universal Institute CS- District Enrollment
- 563
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,685
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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