Average
#1957 of 2,842 schools in PA
West Philadelphia HS
High School · Philadelphia City SD
4901 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19139
Enrollment
593
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
593
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Philadelphia
#199 of 300
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#408 of 641
In district
#175 of 218
Philadelphia City SD
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About West Philadelphia HS
West Philadelphia HS is a regular public high school located in the heart of Philadelphia. With an enrollment of 593 students, the school offers a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention from its dedicated staff of 49 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at West Philadelphia HS shows there is room for improvement, with only 21% proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, and just 6% proficiency in Math.
Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to supporting the development and growth of all its students. West Philadelphia HS stands out as part of a vibrant city community where students have access to a wide range of cultural and extracurricular opportunities. The setting offers a unique backdrop for learning and personal development, with numerous resources within reach.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at West 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
West Philadelphia HS — Students at West Philadelphia HS score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 5 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: 8.2/10.
How West Philadelphia HS Compares
See how West Philadelphia HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 5% (2021).
Location
4901 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19139
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Philadelphia HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY H.S. (rated 7.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Philadelphia Learning Academy - West (rated 7.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Parkway West (rated 6.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| The Workshop School Philadelphia | 0.2 mi | 6.7 |
| KIPP Philadelphia Octavius Catto CS Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Lea Henry C Sch Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 8.0 |
| BEULAH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Parkway West Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Middle Years Alternative Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| WEST CATHOLIC PREPARATORY H.S. Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Locke Alain Sch Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Global Leadership Academy CS Southwest at Huey Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Rhoads James Sch Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| THE ISLAMIC EDUCATION SCHOOL -TIES Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Washington Martha Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Penn Alexander Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Robeson HS for Human Services Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| QUBA INSTITUTE OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| PEE WEE PREP Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | — |
| PHILADELPHIA FREE SCHOOL Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Philadelphia Learning Academy - West Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| JUBILEE SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19139 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,701
Median Home Value
$118,700
Median Rent
$1,110/mo
Population
44,619
College Educated
21.9%
Homeownership
39.4%
Avg Commute
33.1 min
Poverty Rate
28.9%
Median Age
33
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Philadelphia HS has a median household income of $38,701. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,700, with a median rent of $1,110/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Annville-Cleona HS Annville, PA | 5.6 |
| Blackhawk HS Beaver Falls, PA | 5.6 |
| Eastern Lebanon Co SHS Myerstown, PA | 5.6 |
| Furness Horace HS Philadelphia, PA | 5.6 |
| Highlands SHS Natrona Heights, PA | 5.6 |
| James Buchanan HS Mercersburg, PA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Philadelphia HS
What grades does West Philadelphia HS serve?
West Philadelphia HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend West Philadelphia HS?
West Philadelphia HS has an enrollment of approximately 593 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Philadelphia HS?
The student-teacher ratio at West Philadelphia HS is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Philadelphia HS rank in PA?
West Philadelphia HS is ranked #1957 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is West Philadelphia HS's MySchoolScout rating?
West Philadelphia HS has a composite rating of 5.6 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 West Philadelphia HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Philadelphia HS has 6.3% math proficiency and 20.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Philadelphia HS a charter school?
No, West Philadelphia HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Philadelphia HS a Title I school?
No, West Philadelphia HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Philadelphia HS?
100.0% of students at West 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.
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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 593
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Philadelphia County
- Phone
- (215) 400-7900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Philadelphia City SD- District Enrollment
- 117,907
- Schools in District
- 220
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,897
- District Rank
- #175 of 218
Other Schools in This District
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.