The top reported proficiency rate is 30% in Science. The lowest is 7% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Washington Martha Sch
Washington Martha School serves a small enrollment of students in kindergarten through eighth grade, located in the Mantua neighborhood of West Philadelphia. The school is a regular public school in the Philadelphia City School District and serves an economically disadvantaged student population. All students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the student body is predominantly Black, with smaller numbers of Asian, Hispanic, and multiracial students.
On state assessments in English language arts and mathematics, the school's proficiency rates are considerably below what the state expects. In ELA, about a quarter of tested students in grades three through eight reached proficiency, while in mathematics, proficiency was substantially lower. Science proficiency data from the most recent available year showed a rate around one third of students reaching proficiency. These numbers indicate that most students at the school are not meeting grade-level standards in core subjects. A parent may want to look into further with the school what interventions and support structures are in place to address these gaps, and what the school's specific trajectory has been over time.
The school operates within the Philadelphia City School District, which has undergone significant curriculum changes. In the 2024-25 school year, the district implemented a new science-of-reading English language arts curriculum across all grades K-8 called EL Education. The district also introduced Illustrative Mathematics K-12 in the 2023-24 school year as a standardized approach to math instruction. These changes aim to create consistency in how reading and math are taught across the district, though early feedback from educators has been mixed, and reading scores saw a one-point decline in the first year after adoption.
The broader context for Philadelphia schools includes a major facilities and catchment reorganization. In April 2026, the School District approved a multiyear master plan that will close seventeen schools beginning in 2026-27 and modernize numerous campuses. Washington Martha is not listed among schools slated for closure, but the district-wide changes mean families should stay informed about potential catchment redefinitions and program shifts that could affect their school.
The neighborhood where the school is located sits in West Philadelphia, part of a large city that is growing modestly, with housing values and rents relatively affordable compared to national benchmarks. Philadelphia itself is walkable and well-served by public transit through SEPTA, with strong anchors in healthcare, higher education, and life sciences employment. The city has recovered to modest growth following pandemic-era losses, with concentrated development in Center City and University City, though residential neighborhoods like Mantua maintain a quieter, neighborhood-focused character.
The school's state testing data and proficiency rates indicate that students face meaningful challenges in foundational skills. Without trend data or information about the school's special education identification rate or English learner population, a complete picture of the school's approach to intervention and support is not available. Parents considering this school should seek direct conversations with administrators about literacy and numeracy support, classroom materials and instruction quality under the district's new curricula, and what individualized or small-group services are available for students who are not yet meeting standards.
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