The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in Science. The lowest is 19% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Juniata Park Academy
Juniata Park Academy is a public elementary and middle school in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The school houses a moderate-sized enrollment that is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial Asian population and smaller Black and white enrollments. All enrolled students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
In terms of academic proficiency on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, the school's performance in 2024-25 was below the midpoint. In English language arts, just over a quarter of tested students in grades three through eight met proficiency. In math, the rate was notably lower, at under a fifth of students proficient. A science assessment from 2022-23 showed proficiency at a somewhat higher level. The school moved to the EL Education curriculum (a science-of-reading approach) in 2024-25 as part of a district-wide adoption, so classroom instruction in reading and writing has shifted; parents may want to check directly with the school on early results and how the new materials are landing with students and teachers.
The school's location in the 19124 ZIP code places it in a neighborhood where housing values and rental costs are well below the Philadelphia average and below the state benchmark. Homeownership here remains relatively accessible, though property tax rises associated with the 2024 reassessment will increase costs for homeowners over the next several years. The area is part of the city's broader northeast corridor, which includes mixed-income residential and commercial blocks typical of the rowhouse neighborhoods that define Philadelphia's identity away from downtown.
The Philadelphia School District has undertaken significant infrastructure changes. The April 2026 facilities master plan will close schools and reshape some catchments beginning in 2026-27. Families at Juniata Park Academy should confirm whether the school's catchment or operations may be affected by those district-level moves. Additionally, the district raised the homestead exemption in 2025 and secured increased property tax allocations to schools starting with the 2024-25 budget, so school funding should expand over coming years.
State testing data was not available for enrollment counts in English learner status or special education, so parents interested in those populations or services should ask the school directly. Graduation rate does not apply because the school serves only through eighth grade.
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