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Average

#1423 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 50% in state

Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School

High School · Philadelphia City SD

2300 W Master St, Philadelphia, PA 19121

Enrollment

302

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Philadelphia

#127 of 300

public schools

Pennsylvania high schools

#254 of 641

In district

#115 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School

Vaux HS: A Big Picture School is a regular public high school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 302 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.1 to 1. Vaux HS aims to provide personalized education experiences, which includes project-based learning opportunities that align closely with students' interests.

The academic performance at Vaux HS shows room for improvement, as indicated by the MySchoolScout Rating of 3.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2455 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania (14th percentile). The school’s academic score is 1.6 out of 10, with only 23% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 3% proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, the faculty at Vaux HS works diligently to support each student's development and growth.

With a setting in the heart of a large city, the school offers a unique environment for learning and community engagement. Located on West Master Street, Vaux HS is situated within Philadelphia’s vibrant urban landscape, providing students with numerous opportunities to connect their academic pursuits with real-world experiences.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School 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 Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.58 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-39.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-39 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-19.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness8.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,638

Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School — Students at Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 2.9%
School
State
42.0%
ELA Proficiency 22.9%
School
State
64.0%

Based on 4 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
3.3%
ELA
20.7%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School Compares

See how Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in PA
Academic
2.4/10
2.4/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

2300 W Master St, Philadelphia, PA 19121

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST JOSEPH'S PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, ST JOSEPH'S PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Morris Robert Sch Philadelphia 0.2 mi 7.7
GIRARD COLLEGE Philadelphia 0.3 mi 8.1
CITY SCHOOL AT FAIRMOUNT Philadelphia 0.3 mi 7.1
Bache-Martin Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 8.6
Kelley William D Sch Philadelphia 0.4 mi 6.8
Frederick Douglass Mastery CS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 4.2
Meade Gen George C Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 6.0
ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.7 mi 7.2
GESU SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.5 mi 5.8
ST JOSEPH'S PREPARATORY SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.6 mi 5.1
ST JOSEPH'S PREPARATORY SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.6 mi 5.2
Gideon Edward Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 7.0
Dick William Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 6.9
Alliance for Progress CS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 2.1
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.7 mi 6.3
REVOLUTION SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.7 mi
Blaine James G Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 3.9
Waring Laura W Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 6.2
OUR HOUSE MONTESSORI Philadelphia 0.9 mi
Wright Richard R Sch Philadelphia 1.0 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19121 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$36,208

Median Home Value

$250,100

Median Rent

$1,082/mo

Population

40,324

College Educated

24.7%

Homeownership

33.1%

Avg Commute

31.3 min

Poverty Rate

40.6%

Median Age

27.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School has a median household income of $36,208. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $250,100, with a median rent of $1,082/month. The area has a poverty rate of 40.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Cochranton JSHS Cochranton, PA 6.4
Conemaugh Valley JSHS Johnstown, PA 6.4
Halifax Area HS Halifax, PA 6.4
Homer-Center JSHS Homer City, PA 6.4
Otto-Eldred JSHS Duke Center, PA 6.4
Rocky Grove JSHS Franklin, PA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School

What grades does Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School serve?

Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School?

Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School has an enrollment of approximately 302 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School?

The student-teacher ratio at Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School rank in PA?

Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School is ranked #1423 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School's MySchoolScout rating?

Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School has 2.9% math proficiency and 22.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School a charter school?

No, Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School a Title I school?

No, Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School?

99.0% of students at Vaux Hs: a Big Picture School 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
302
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.0%
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
#115 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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