The top reported proficiency rate is 28% in Science. The lowest is 4% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Universal Vare Cs
Universal Vare Charter School serves grades five through eight in South Philadelphia, on South 24th Street near the neighborhood boundary between Lower Moyamensing and Kensington. The school enrolls a small student body drawn almost entirely from the immediate area: a substantial majority are Black, with a significant share who are Asian; the overwhelming majority qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the neighborhood. The school is currently operating under significant constraint: its operator has announced it will not seek charter renewal, and the school will close at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. This means families enrolling now or in the coming months should understand that their children will need to transition to another middle school after next year.
The school's location reflects a recent institutional disruption. A historic asbestos issue forced the closure of the original Edwin Vare building in April 2023, after which the school relocated to the McDaniel Annex Building for the 2023-2024 school year and continues there now. For families considering enrollment, this change of facility and the impending closure are material facts that shape the school's present and immediate future.
Academically, Universal Vare's proficiency rates on Pennsylvania's standardized assessment are well below state performance levels. In math, students achieved proficiency at a very low rate on the most recent state test. In English language arts, proficiency was higher but still substantially below typical state performance. Science data from the prior tested year showed proficiency in that range as well. These results indicate that students at this school are not reaching grade-level standards at rates comparable to the broader state system, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand what supports exist for struggling learners and what instructional approaches the school employs.
The student body is small and stable in composition. Grade six and grade five are the smallest cohorts, while grade seven carries nearly half the total enrollment, with grade eight intermediate. The school draws from a deeply economically disadvantaged community; nearly all students meet the federal criteria for meal assistance. Special population enrollment data, such as rates for students with individualized education plans or English learners, were not available. The school's charter status places it outside the traditional School District of Philadelphia structure, though it serves the same neighborhoods and student populations.
The closure announcement reflects what the school's operator has publicly attributed to declining enrollment. The school was authorized to serve a larger population but has maintained substantially fewer students for years, a pattern that ultimately led to the decision not to pursue continued operation. For any family considering the school, the closure timeline is the dominant fact: this is a school in its final operating year, and planning for transition should be part of enrollment discussions with the administration.
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