The top reported proficiency rate is 20% in Science. The lowest is 8% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Carnell Laura H Sch
Carnell Laura H School is a public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Philadelphia's Northeast section. The school enrolls a population that is evenly split between Black and Hispanic students, with a small presence of Asian, white, and multiracial students. All enrolled students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic composition of the neighborhood.
Academic performance at Carnell is very low across tested subjects. In math, the proportion of students scoring at proficiency level or above was in single digits. English language arts performance was slightly higher but still very low, with only a small share of students meeting proficiency. Science proficiency, measured in an earlier school year, was also very low. These numbers indicate that the vast majority of students are not meeting grade-level standards in core academics. A parent may want to discuss with the school what supports are in place for students working below grade level and what interventions or additional resources the school offers.
The school enrollment is stable and balanced across grades, with a roughly even distribution of students from kindergarten through fifth grade. The student population has not grown or contracted dramatically.
Philadelphia City School District, which operates this school, has recently overhauled its K-12 math and reading curricula. The district adopted a new math program starting in 2023-24 and a science-of-reading approach to English language arts beginning in 2024-25. These changes standardize instruction across all district schools. Early results show that reading scores dipped by a small amount after the first year of the new ELA curriculum, with the majority of students still not meeting reading benchmarks. This curriculum shift affects day-to-day classroom instruction at Carnell.
The district is also undergoing a major facilities reshaping. In April 2026, the board approved a long-term modernization plan that includes the closure of a substantial number of schools beginning in 2026-27, with remaining schools to be modernized over the next decade. Families should clarify with the school whether Carnell is affected by these changes and what timeline applies.
The school sits in Northeast Philadelphia, a dense urban neighborhood. The city as a whole is among the most walkable in the U.S., with extensive public transit, a large park system, and major employers in healthcare, higher education, and life sciences. Housing values in the zip code are moderate relative to national benchmarks, and rental costs are also moderate; renters spend a proportional share of income on housing. The area is experiencing moderate growth, though concentrated mainly in Center City rather than across all neighborhoods.
State testing data beyond the recent years shown was not available. Information about the school's special education enrollment, English learner population, staff size, attendance rates, and discipline practices was not provided. The school's website and any program offerings beyond standard elementary curriculum were also not found.
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