Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Here is a thorough write-up on the school options in Philadelphia from a local:

So it is very much dependent on which catchment you live in, or what you can afford. Otherwise you're stuck with the random luck of applying to another school.

You really care about elementary schools only. All the best high schools in the district are magnet schools (Masterman, Central, Palumbo, GAMP, SLA, Carver, Bodine) which you have to apply to and be accepted. Yes there will likely be a commute, but unfortunately it seems the quality of these magnet schools doesn't correlate to their local catchment. Most elementaries are K-8. There are a few middle schools, but they most tend to be tied to a high school as well (notably Masterman and GAMP). I suspect this also leads somewhat to a skewing of scores as the best students in the catchment schools leave after 4th grade.

That said here's the top list:

9's - Penn Alexander (UCity), hands down the best K-8 in the district. Masterman and GAMP's middle schools as well.

7's - McCall (Center City East), Meredith (Society Hill, roughly), Greenberg (Bustleton)

6's - Greenfield (Center City West), Loesche (Somerton), Anne Frank (Bustleton)

5's - Decatur (Mechanicsville?), John Hancock (West Torresdale? Sorry, really not familiar with Northeast Philly neighborhoods), Fell (South Philly), Jenks (South Philly), Kirkbride (Bella Vista/Southwark)

Some honorable mentions at the 4's that may have recently dropped down or tend to have very positive community impressions.

Cook-Wissahickon (Wissahickon, NW philly) Was a 5 last year, don't know what's going on, it is a frequent feeder to Masterman. Dobson (Lower Roxborough/Manayunk) improving school, great principle, very positive community impression. Jackson (Italian Market-ish area), again regarded as an improving school.

You probably have options and you'll have to weigh what you value. Do you want a school that is going to have absolutely every resource to offer your child? What sort of neighborhood environment do you want (walkability, green space, etc.). Do you value a neighborhood and district that is ethnically and culturally diverse or not? What will your commute(s) look like from respective neighborhoods? More on the city side: if you like your current neighborhood but the elementary is unacceptable, can you afford to send your child(ren) to private/parochial school until at least 5th grade? Will this be a cheaper or more cost-effective solution then moving into the suburbs? The only person that can answer this is you.

There has been a fair amount of Millennial movement from NYC to Philly. A good way to think of Philly is as "Brooklyn lite." Mixed neighborhoods: some fabulous ethnic neighborhoods, some gentrified, people who are in a hurry, and rude and obnoxious. A lot of cursing. If this appeals to you, it can be had for much less money than Brooklyn these days. If you want access to this but prefer to go home to the suburbs, the Main Line suburbs (fed by commuter trains) have a lot to offer.

_crapitalism
Living in Philadelphia
6mo ago
✭✭✭✭

I live here and I love it. most of the negativity you read about it is from people who live in the suburbs who spend 4 hours a day on facebook groups instead of going outside. as long as you don't go out of your way to live in a bad neighborhood and don't hunker down in your home bc you've read on the internet that the city is some war zone, you'll have fun. it's super easy to meet people here and there's always something to do. if you want neighborhood recommendations or just general city tips, there's usually a moving thread stickied to r/philadelphia that can help you out. good luck with the move, we're happy to have you here! go birds

For more reviews of Philadelphia from locals check out: The Reviews