West Philadelphia High School is a secondary school located in the West Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the intersection of 49th Street and Chestnut Street.
Serving 593 students in grades 9-12, West Philadelphia High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤5% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 15-19% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 593 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 75-79% (Btm 50% in PA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 15-19% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 10-14% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
West Philadelphia High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
West Philadelphia High School's student population of 593 students has grown by 33% over five school years.
The teacher population of 49 teachers has grown by 28% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
593 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
49 teachers
Year Founded
1912
Colors
White, Blue, Gold
School Rankings
West Philadelphia High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,733 schools in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of West Philadelphia High School is 0.21, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2650 out of 2733 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
15-19%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
10-14%
57%
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
13:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
1%
5%
Hispanic
4%
15%
Black
89%
14%
White
1%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
75-79%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
60%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (08-09)
8%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is West Philadelphia High School's ranking?
West Philadelphia High School is ranked #2650 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are West Philadelphia High School often compared to?
West Philadelphia High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Sayre William L Middle School, Central High School, Parkway West by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% PA state average), while 15-19% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of West Philadelphia High School?
The graduation rate of West Philadelphia High School is 75-79%, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend West Philadelphia High School?
593 students attend West Philadelphia High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
89% of West Philadelphia High School students are Black, 4% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student:teacher ratio of West Philadelphia High School?
West Philadelphia High School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does West Philadelphia High School offer ?
West Philadelphia High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is West Philadelphia High School part of?
West Philadelphia High School is part of Philadelphia City School District.
In what neighborhood is West Philadelphia High School located?
West Philadelphia High School is located in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 8 other public schools located in University City.
School Reviews
Review West Philadelphia High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
