The top reported proficiency rate is 29% in English language arts. The lowest is 11% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Freire Cs
Freire Charter School is an independent charter district serving grades 5 through 12 from two locations in Center City Philadelphia: a middle school campus in Market East and a high school campus near Rittenhouse Square. The school enrolls a student body that is almost entirely economically disadvantaged, with nearly all students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, and the enrollment is substantially Black. The school is small relative to district or traditional public school scale, with a total enrollment across its middle and high school grades.
On the most recent state assessments, Freire's results are low. In mathematics, proficiency among students in grades 3 through 8 was well below what state and national averages typically show. In English language arts, proficiency was also below typical benchmarks, though somewhat higher than in math. Both results place the school well outside the range of what the field would expect to be solid preparation for secondary work. A parent considering Freire would want to understand from the school directly what instructional strategies are in place to address these gaps, what support systems exist for struggling students, and what progress, if any, the school tracks year to year.
Graduation rate data was not available in the school's public records, so a parent cannot assess completion and exit outcomes from available evidence. The school became subject to Pennsylvania's new graduation pathway requirement beginning with the graduating class of 2023, meaning every student must now pass a state-approved assessment or complete an alternative pathway in addition to the school's 24-credit requirement to earn a diploma. This is a significant change in what students must demonstrate to finish, and it applies to all current high school cohorts.
The school's charter was renewed by the School District of Philadelphia in 2022, confirming its continued operation and legitimacy as a provider. The renewal came with authorization for enrollment increases and expansion of grades served, suggesting the district saw sufficient promise to extend the school's license. However, this does not address the performance gap visible in current testing data.
Freire operates in Center City's walkable urban core, near major transit and civic amenities. Housing in the nearby Rittenhouse Square and Center City neighborhoods carries a premium and is substantially above the Pennsylvania state benchmark. Families living in or near the school's location are likely choosing the school for reasons other than test performance: the charter model, the two-location structure tailored to middle and high school, location convenience, or fit with the school's stated mission and pedagogy. For families whose students are working below grade level in reading or math, or who have struggled in traditional public school settings, a conversation with Freire about its approach, its track record with similar students, and its capacity to accelerate progress would be essential before enrollment. For families whose children are already solid readers and mathematicians, the current test data raises questions about whether the school's instruction matches their students' level.
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