The top reported proficiency rate is 23% in Science. The lowest is 7% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Deburgos Bilingual Magnet Ms
DeBurgos Bilingual Magnet Middle School is a regular public school serving kindergarten through eighth grade in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, along the eastern edge of Center City. The school enrolls a small student body of mixed elementary and middle grades, with majority enrollment in grades 6 through 8.
The student population is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial Black enrollment and very small numbers of white students and students from other backgrounds. Every student in the school qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a community facing concentrated economic hardship. The school's name signals its bilingual mission, though specific data on English learner enrollment or the scope and structure of its language program was not available.
On state assessment results from spring 2025, DeBurgos reported proficiency in math at a very low rate and in English language arts at a similarly low rate, both well below the midpoint for Pennsylvania schools. Science proficiency data is from the prior year and sits higher but remains modest. These numbers tell a parent that academic attainment is a significant challenge at the school. A parent may want to look into the school's specific approach to reading instruction, since the Philadelphia School District adopted a new science-of-reading curriculum starting in 2024-25, and what supports are in place for students who arrive below grade level.
The school's neighborhood is part of the Port Richmond and Kensington area, a predominantly residential zone with historic rowhouse character and strong neighborhood identity. Housing values are below the state average, and rent remains affordable relative to regional benchmarks. The area is walkable and has SEPTA transit access, though it sits north of Center City's main commercial and cultural anchors.
The school sits within the Philadelphia City School District, which is undertaking a major curriculum overhaul and a large-scale facilities reshaping. As of spring 2026, the district approved a facilities master plan involving school closures and co-locations beginning in 2026-27; a parent with a child at DeBurgos should confirm the school's status under that plan. The district also completed a substantial property reassessment in 2024, raising both school funding and residential property tax bills for homeowners in the area.
Beyond academics, data on the school's programs, staffing, discipline climate, or extracurricular offerings was not available. A parent considering DeBurgos would benefit from a direct conversation with the school about its bilingual curriculum structure, its approach to supporting students reading significantly below grade level given the low proficiency results, and the school's role in the district's current transition period.
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