The top reported proficiency rate is 14% in Science. The lowest is 4% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Gideon Edward Sch
Gideon Edward is a neighborhood public school serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Philadelphia's West End. Enrollment is small for an elementary-middle school combination, and the student body is predominantly African American. All students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflective of the broader economic context of the neighborhoods the school serves.
The school's state assessment results in mathematics and English language arts are substantially below proficiency benchmarks. In the most recent math testing, a very small share of students demonstrated proficiency. English language arts results were higher but still well below the state target, with roughly one in eight students meeting the standard. Science data, from an earlier year, showed similarly low attainment. These patterns indicate that students are entering secondary grades with significant gaps in foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
The Philadelphia City School District recently adopted district-wide changes to math and reading curricula that affect all schools. Beginning in 2023-24, the district introduced Illustrative Mathematics for all grades K-12. In 2024-25, it rolled out a new science-of-reading approach to English language arts instruction (EL Education for K-8 grades and StudySync for grades 9-12). These are the first standardized instructional materials the district has implemented citywide in years. Early feedback from educators was mixed, and reading proficiency dipped by a modest amount in year one across the district, with a substantial majority of students still not meeting grade-level benchmarks.
Beyond curriculum, the district's financial outlook improved. Philadelphia increased its allocation of property tax revenue to schools and completed a citywide property reassessment that will generate additional school funding over time. The district also faces significant infrastructure decisions: in April 2026, the Board of Education approved a long-term facilities modernization plan involving school closures and consolidations beginning in 2026-27. Parents should stay informed about whether Gideon Edward is affected by these boundary and program changes.
The school's location is in a residential Philadelphia neighborhood with walkable street frontage and access to SEPTA transit. The broader city has been growing modestly after pandemic-era losses, with investment concentrated in Center City; growth in residential neighborhoods like those where Gideon Edward sits has been slower. Housing values in the area are substantially below state and national benchmarks. Rents have risen, though remain modest compared to denser commercial neighborhoods.
For families seeking a small K-8 building in a neighborhood setting where their child will be known across grades, Gideon Edward offers that continuity. However, the state assessment results show that academic outcomes have not kept pace with state standards, and this is the starting point from which the new district curricula are being implemented. A parent may want to look into further detail with the school about how teachers are being supported in the transition to the new materials and what supplemental support is available for students significantly behind grade level.
See more original research from School Decision →