The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in English language arts. The lowest is 10% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Kearny Gen Philip Sch
Kearny General Philip School is a small public elementary and middle school in Philadelphia serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The school's enrollment sits at a low level for its grade band, and the student population is predominantly Black, with substantial representation of Hispanic students and a small number of students of other races. All students at the school qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a student body facing significant economic need.
On the most recent state assessments available, the school's academic performance reflects substantial challenges. In English Language Arts, proficiency among students in grades three through eight stood at a rate well below what would be expected for schools serving this age range. Mathematics performance was even lower. A science assessment from an earlier year showed proficiency at roughly the same low level as reading. These results point to widespread difficulty in core academic skill development across the school's student population.
The school operates as a regular public school within the Philadelphia City School District, located on Fairmount Avenue in the Kensington area of Philadelphia. Philadelphia itself is a dense, walkable city with strong neighborhood identity and a mixed-use character anchored by a downtown commercial core and surrounding residential neighborhoods built largely around historic rowhouses. The city has experienced moderate growth in recent years, concentrated mainly in Center City and the riverfront; the broader city remains below its pre-pandemic population.
The Philadelphia School District has undertaken substantial instructional changes in recent years that directly affect classroom practice at this school. Starting in 2023-24, the district adopted Illustrative Mathematics for all grades K-12, and in 2024-25 it rolled out a new science-of-reading English curriculum (EL Education for grades K-8). These represent the first standardized, district-wide curriculum overhaul in years. Initial results have been mixed, with reading proficiency declining slightly in the first year of implementation. The district also secured increased property tax revenue for schools, with additional funds from a 2024 property reassessment expected to support schools over the coming years.
Pending major change comes from the district's April 2026 facilities master plan, which will close seventeen schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year and modernize dozens of campuses over a decade. This plan will reshape school catchments and building utilization across Philadelphia. A parent may want to look further into the district's specific plans affecting this school's enrollment, facility condition, and catchment to understand what changes lie ahead.
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