The top reported proficiency rate is 19% in Science. The lowest is 9% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Marshall John Sch
Marshall John School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Northeast Philadelphia, in a small, economically challenged neighborhood. The school enrolls a modest number of students across all six grade bands, distributed fairly evenly each year. Every student at Marshall John qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, and the student body is predominantly Black and Hispanic, with small numbers of white and multiracial students.
Academically, the school faces substantial headwinds. On the most recent state assessments available, math proficiency stood in the single digits; English language arts proficiency was also very low; and science proficiency, measured in a prior year, was similarly low. These numbers fall far below typical performance benchmarks. State assessment data was not sufficient to position the school against other districts in Philadelphia County, so a direct comparison is not available. The school has not yet been assessed on trends, so whether these results represent a sustained pattern or a recent dip cannot be determined from the data.
The school sits within the Philadelphia City School District, which has undertaken major curriculum overhauls in recent years. Starting in 2024-25, all district schools, including Marshall John, shifted to a new science-of-reading English language arts curriculum (EL Education for K-8 grades). The district also adopted a new math curriculum the prior year. These changes standardize instruction across the city but also mean families should expect ongoing adjustments as teachers implement the new materials. The district's first year under the new ELA approach saw a modest decline in reading proficiency citywide, though it is too early to assess whether that reflects implementation challenges or a deeper signal.
Beyond curriculum, Philadelphia itself is in a period of uneven growth and investment. The city's walkability is among the highest in the country, with dense neighborhood commercial corridors and extensive transit access through SEPTA. The housing stock in Northeast Philadelphia, where Marshall John is located, consists primarily of historic rowhouses typical of the neighborhood's character. Housing values in the area are below the city and state benchmarks, and monthly rents are moderate; this remains an economically accessible part of the city, though property taxes have risen in recent years as the city reallocated revenue toward schools and completed a major property reassessment.
The school district itself is undergoing a significant facilities restructuring. An approved master plan will close and consolidate schools beginning in 2026-27, modernize multiple campuses, and reshape school catchments. Parents should confirm whether Marshall John will be affected by these changes and, if so, what the transition will mean for their child's enrollment and building conditions.
A parent considering Marshall John should have direct conversations with the school about current proficiency results, the new curriculum's implementation at this particular site, and any planned facility or catchment changes. The school serves a neighborhood population with limited economic resources, and its academic performance data indicates students are currently not proficient at grade level in core subjects. Understanding the school's support structures, teacher stability, and detailed action plan to raise achievement would be essential steps before enrollment.
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