The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in Science. The lowest is 12% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Kipp Philadelphia Cs
KIPP Philadelphia CS is a charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in North Philadelphia, in the 19132 ZIP code (North 16th Street corridor). It operates as part of the KIPP Philadelphia network, a district-operated charter that has grown into one of the city's larger school systems.
The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly Black, with a much smaller representation of Hispanic, multiracial, and other students. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a student population from households with very limited economic resources. Enrollment is relatively stable across the grade span, with about the same number of students in each grade from kindergarten through eighth.
On state assessments administered in 2024-25, KIPP Philadelphia CS shows mixed results. In math, proficiency sits well below the state baseline, with only a small fraction of students scoring at the proficient or advanced level on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. English language arts proficiency is similarly low. Science performance, where data is most recent from 2023-24, is notably stronger, with proficiency rates reaching the low-to-mid range. The school's strength in science does not carry across to reading and math, suggesting that students may have access to science instruction or resources that differ from the support they receive in core academics.
The school sits in North Philadelphia, a densely urban and historically disinvested neighborhood with deep community anchor institutions and strong cultural identity. Philadelphia itself is in the midst of uneven growth concentrated in Center City; neighborhoods like North Philadelphia have seen less recent development activity. Housing in the school's ZIP code reflects broader affordability challenges, with median home values markedly below state and national benchmarks and rents that are rising. The walkability and transit access in the neighborhood are good, and the larger city offers a robust public library system, park infrastructure, and SEPTA transit that connects the school's location to employment and cultural life across the region.
For families considering KIPP Philadelphia CS, a key practical change is that beginning with the 2026-27 school year, enrollment happens through Apply Philly Charter's ranked-choice lottery system. Families rank up to fifteen schools and receive one offer from the highest-ranked school with available seats. This means that ranking KIPP first significantly increases the likelihood of gaining admission.
The network has also made a major facility investment: KIPP Philadelphia Preparatory Academy, the flagship middle school serving grades five through eight, relocated to a renovated historic campus in Allegheny West, opening the capacity to grow enrollment substantially over time. Parents should be aware that the school's core academic proficiency in math and reading is currently very low. A parent considering enrollment may want to look into further detail about the school's plans to address reading and math performance and what supplemental support or interventions exist for students working below grade level in these subjects.
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