The top reported proficiency rate is 41% in Science. The lowest is 10% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Fitler Academics Plus
Fitler Academics Plus is a small K-8 public school in Philadelphia serving a neighborhood population, located in the Fitler Square area. The school has a total enrollment that skews toward the middle elementary and lower middle school grades, with the largest concentration in grades five and six. The student body is almost entirely Black, with nearly universal participation in free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of its surrounding community.
State assessment results show an area of concern. In the most recent testing window, the school's proficiency rate in English language arts was below one-quarter of students meeting grade-level standards, while in mathematics it was even lower, with only about one in ten students achieving proficiency. Science results from an earlier year were notably stronger, with about two-fifths of students meeting standards, though that snapshot came from a smaller tested cohort. The gap between math and ELA performance on one hand and science on the other is substantial and worth examining with the school directly to understand what may be contributing.
The Philadelphia housing market surrounding the school, in the 19144 ZIP code, shows median home values in the low to mid-range for the city and rents at a modest level relative to regional benchmarks. Home prices in the area have declined slightly year-over-year while rents have risen modestly. For renters, housing costs consume roughly a quarter of household income on average. The neighborhood sits within Philadelphia's broader rowhouse character, with walkable street life and proximity to neighborhood commercial corridors typical of the city's residential blocks.
The school operates within the Philadelphia City School District, which is undergoing significant structural and curricular change. The district adopted new math and reading curricula district-wide beginning in school year 2023-24 and 2024-25 respectively. The shift to Illustrative Mathematics K-12 and a science-of-reading ELA approach (including EL Education for K-8) directly shapes the classroom instruction students experience. Reading proficiency dipped in the first year of the new curriculum rollout. The district has also announced substantial facilities consolidation beginning in 2026-27, including school closures and co-locations, which will reshape school catchments across the city.
Special education enrollment and English learner enrollment data were not available. A parent considering this school may want to follow up directly about current support offerings in those areas, especially given the low current proficiency rates, to understand what interventions and services are in place and how the school is responding to students working below grade level.
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