Original Research by School Decision on Young Scholars Cs
Young Scholars Charter School is a middle-grades charter serving students in grades six through eight, with an expanding enrollment that will include grade five starting in the upcoming school year. The school draws its population from across Philadelphia, enrolling students through a lottery system open to families throughout the city.
The student body is predominantly Black, with smaller populations of Hispanic and Asian students, as well as a handful of multiracial students. Free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility data was not available, so a reader cannot see what share of families qualify for meal assistance. Information about students with individualized education plans and English learners was also not reported. State assessment results for the school were not provided in available data, so it is not possible to characterize academic proficiency here.
Among Philadelphia County's districts, Young Scholars performs well on chronic absenteeism, placing in the top quartile. Per-pupil spending at the school sits in the upper range compared to county peers, reflecting significant per-pupil investment. A graduation rate cannot be reported because the school serves only middle grades, not high school.
The school's transition from a grades 6-8 to a grades 5-8 model beginning next school year represents a structural change worth noting for families considering enrollment. Adding a fifth-grade class creates an additional entry point and gives students an extra year in the school's program, which may matter for families planning middle-grades continuity. The school underwent charter renewal review by the School District of Philadelphia in 2022, the formal evaluation process determining continued operation through the renewal term.
The charter is housed in Philadelphia, which has a housing market shaped by neighborhood variation. Rents and home values differ substantially by area; a family drawn to Young Scholars from across the city would need to consider transportation and neighborhood fit independently of school choice. The school operates as a free, open-enrollment charter, so tuition is not a barrier, though families do need to navigate the lottery admission process.
Limited data on course offerings, staffing, and other program specifics means a parent evaluating the school may want to reach out directly to learn more about curricular approaches, extracurricular options, and day-to-day operations. The school's website and admissions team can provide detail on those dimensions.
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