Original Research by School Decision on Maritime Academy Cs
Maritime Academy CS is a small, K-12 charter school operating in Philadelphia County with enrollment of approximately eight hundred students spread across all grade levels from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The school serves a diverse population: a substantial majority identifies as Hispanic, followed by a notable share of white students, with smaller populations of Black and Asian students.
The school's enrollment shows a generally upward trend from the early grades through the upper middle grades, then a decline in the high school years. Kindergarten enrolls a small cohort, and numbers grow modestly through middle school before dropping in grade nine and remaining smaller through grade twelve. This pattern may reflect either the school's growth over time, typical charter attrition in high school, or both. State assessment data and graduation rates were not available in the materials reviewed, so a reader cannot assess academic proficiency or college-readiness outcomes from this record.
Financially, Maritime Academy spends per pupil in the upper range among Philadelphia County's districts, suggesting the school allocates considerable resources to instruction and services. However, chronic absenteeism is a visible challenge. The school's rate falls below the midpoint for the county, meaning absences are more frequent than at most neighboring districts. A parent may want to ask the school directly about attendance patterns and what supports are in place to keep students engaged.
Two recent developments shape the school's standing. The Philadelphia Board of Education renewed Maritime Academy's charter in mid-2024 for a five-year term extending through June 2028, securing its operational continuity—an important anchor for families considering long-term enrollment. That same summer, the board approved a location change for the school due to potential health and safety hazards at its previous site. The move is now underway, and while the school itself continues, the change in physical location is worth confirming with the school as you plan logistics and access.
The school offers a focused identity around maritime education, though details on specific programs, course pathways, or dual-credit and career options were not available in the data. A parent interested in the maritime or STEM focus, or in understanding what electives and specializations the school offers across grades K-12, should reach out to the school directly to learn how that theme threads through elementary, middle, and high school years.
Maritime Academy serves a moderately economical student body, though free-and-reduced-price lunch data was not reported, so the precise share of economically disadvantaged students is not visible here. Special education enrollment and English learner populations were also not disclosed in the materials, limiting a full picture of the students served and the school's capacity in those areas.
For a family considering enrollment, the main open questions are academic outcomes and the contours of programming. The school's small high school size, diversity, and charter status with a maritime focus offer a particular fit; the location change and need to monitor attendance patterns are practical considerations to explore further with the school.
See more original research from School Decision →