The top reported proficiency rate is 64% in Science. The lowest is 25% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Crossan Kennedy C Sch
Crossan Kennedy C School is a public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in the Tacony neighborhood of Philadelphia. It is a regular public school of approximately average size for its grade band, with the student body drawn from the immediate residential community around the Bingham Street location in northeast Philadelphia.
The school's enrollment is predominantly a mix of students of color, with roughly equal representation among Black, Hispanic, and White students, along with a smaller share of Asian students. Nearly the entire student population qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, which reflects both the economic profile of the surrounding neighborhood and the income-based eligibility thresholds that apply citywide.
Academic results show a school in need of improvement. On the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, students in grades 3 through 5 have proficiency rates that trail notably. In math, roughly one in four students tested reached proficiency. In English language arts, the rate was somewhat higher but still under one in three. Science results, based on the most recent available data, were substantially stronger, with proficiency near two in three. These numbers suggest uneven performance across subjects, with particular challenges in reading and mathematics instruction.
The school is part of Philadelphia City School District, which has undertaken significant instructional changes. Starting in 2023-24, the district moved to Illustrative Mathematics for all grades, and in 2024-25 it rolled out a new science-of-reading approach to English language arts using EL Education for elementary grades and StudySync for older students. These changes standardize how reading and math are taught across all district schools for the first time in recent years. The shift in reading curriculum was followed by a modest dip in reading proficiency scores, and the district reports that two-thirds of students remain below proficiency in reading overall. A parent considering this school should understand that its current literacy outcomes reflect both pre-existing challenges and the first-year implementation of a district-wide instructional overhaul.
The broader neighborhood context is an older residential area of Philadelphia with historic rowhouse stock. The surrounding housing market reflects mid-range prices for the city and moderate rates of change. Philadelphia itself is experiencing a period of moderate growth concentrated mainly in Center City, with steady neighborhood commercial corridors, public transit via SEPTA, and access to the city's library and park systems. The school sits within a district facing significant structural changes, including a major facilities modernization plan approved in April 2026 that reshapes school catchments and closes multiple schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year. A parent should confirm with the school whether Crossan Kennedy is affected by those planned closures or mergers.
Data on the school's specialized programs, staffing levels, attendance patterns, chronic absenteeism, and student discipline were not available. The English learner and special education enrollment counts were also not provided. For information on after-school offerings, family engagement, or how the school is working to address the reading and math gaps, direct contact with the school would be necessary.
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