Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Decatur Stephen School

Q: Is Decatur Stephen School a good school?

Decatur Stephen School ranks 697 th of 1511 Pennsylvania elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-8

697^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,511 Pennsylvania Elementary Schools

Better than 54% of Pennsylvania elementary schools

Summary

Decatur Stephen School is a large public elementary school serving grades K-8 in the Philadelphia City School District. With 965 students, the school has consistently underperformed compared to the district and state averages on standardized tests in Math and English Language Arts over the past decade, earning low ratings from SchoolDigger.

Decatur Stephen School's student performance is a concern, with only 38.9% of students proficient or better in Math and 51.5% in English Language Arts for the 2024-2025 school year, compared to 25% and 33.4% for the district, and 41.7% and 48.5% for the state. The school's performance has been declining in recent years. However, the school performs exceptionally well for its African American and Hispanic student populations, ranking in the top 5% and top 25% of Pennsylvania elementary schools respectively in these subgroups. The school struggles with its Asian and White student populations, as well as its disabled student population, ranking in the bottom 15%, bottom 30%, and bottom 30% of Pennsylvania elementary schools for these subgroups.

Despite increased per-student spending, from $12,939 in 2019-2020 to $17,153 in 2022-2023, Decatur Stephen School has not seen commensurate improvements in student outcomes. The school's student-teacher ratio remains relatively high at 15.2 in 2023-2024, compared to nearby Bensalem Township School District schools with ratios around 13-14. While the Bensalem Township schools generally outperform Decatur Stephen, they also serve a high-poverty student population, suggesting the challenges faced by high-poverty schools are not unique to Decatur Stephen and that studying their practices could provide valuable insights to help guide the school's improvement efforts.

1,028

Students ?

16.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,838

Per pupil spending ?

94%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3500 Academy Rd
Philadelphia, PA 19154-2047

(215) 400-3050

District: Philadelphia City School District

Students who attend Decatur Stephen School usually attend:

High:

Washington George High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

43.0%

Hispanic:

19.1%

Asian:

17.8%

See top rated Pennsylvania elementary schools

Compare Decatur Stephen School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 28th percentile in 2015 → 54th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 26 percentile points since 2015

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Philadelphia City School District

✓Above the Pennsylvania median (54th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school45%

District avg29%

Pennsylvania avg45%

Elementary school

697^th of 1,511

Pennsylvania public elementary schools ?

Top 46%▲ up 26 pts since 2015

From bottom 28% (2015) to top 46% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Pennsylvania Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

319^th of 873

Pennsylvania public middle schools ?

Top 37%▲ up 20 pts since 2015

From bottom 44% (2015) to top 37% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Pennsylvania Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

19^th of 148Elementary Schools in the Philadelphia City School District

473^rd of 606Philadelphia City School District among Pennsylvania districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	57.8	697 of 1511	53.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.8	867 of 1526	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	48.4	900 of 1534	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	48.2	918 of 1534	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	42.0	940 of 1433	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	38.4	1085 of 1544	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	34.9	1109 of 1530	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	31.9	1146 of 1547	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	37.8	1096 of 1554	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	34.9	1063 of 1474	27.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	30.7	1157 of 1467	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	30.0	1205 of 1519	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	35.1	1247 of 1599	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	44.0	1140 of 1597	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	53.3	945 of 1579	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2009	61.6	713 of 1549	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2008	57.8	796 of 1551	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2007	42.4	1105 of 1555	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	24.0	1313 of 1545	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	39.9	939 of 1299	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	18.9	1094 of 1308	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2003	3.1	1227 of 1302	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	91.2	17 of 413	95.9%	★★★★★
2024	86.9	34 of 437	92.2%	★★★★★
2023	75.5	68 of 437	84.4%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	18.4	130 of 151	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	16.7	146 of 168	13.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.5	134 of 160	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	27.8	748 of 1030	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	24.7	843 of 1084	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	35.3	682 of 1043	34.6%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	85.3	16 of 207	92.3%	★★★★★
2024	82.6	18 of 200	91.0%	★★★★★
2023	82.2	24 of 196	87.8%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	61.8	596 of 1466	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.4	817 of 1488	45.1%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	71.4	77 of 429	82.1%	★★★★☆
2024	66.7	125 of 454	72.5%	★★★★☆
2023	71.6	91 of 432	78.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	72.7	291 of 1369	78.7%	★★★★☆
2024	64.6	502 of 1432	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	63.9	499 of 1414	64.7%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	52.7	751 of 1475	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	47.3	883 of 1495	40.9%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2024	75.5	23 of 128	82.0%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	45.3	692 of 1201	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	34.1	900 of 1229	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	29.4	975 of 1236	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	61.5	319 of 873	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	53.6	423 of 891	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	65.1	300 of 893	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.9	432 of 883	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	39.3	498 of 797	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	55.6	439 of 891	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	48.6	486 of 861	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2017	46.0	508 of 877	42.1%	★★☆☆☆
2016	53.3	456 of 870	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2015	47.8	471 of 835	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2014	49.3	448 of 728	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2013	44.1	512 of 758	32.5%	★★☆☆☆
2012	43.1	578 of 834	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2011	63.0	368 of 825	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2010	68.5	265 of 805	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	76.2	152 of 770	80.3%	★★★★☆
2008	64.0	305 of 753	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2007	47.2	484 of 749	35.4%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	74.3	62 of 393	84.2%	★★★★☆
2024	65.0	102 of 408	75.0%	★★★★☆
2023	67.8	91 of 421	78.4%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	17.5	122 of 138	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	59.3	167 of 643	74.0%	★★★★☆
2024	35.7	413 of 672	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	60.6	188 of 660	71.5%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	78.8	11 of 145	92.4%	★★★★★
2024	68.4	26 of 150	82.7%	★★★★☆
2023	88.7	5 of 143	96.5%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	64.3	277 of 835	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	44.0	517 of 860	39.9%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	67.4	77 of 348	77.9%	★★★★☆
2024	65.1	97 of 362	73.2%	★★★★☆
2023	82.8	42 of 362	88.4%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	71.9	168 of 843	80.1%	★★★★☆
2024	57.7	356 of 877	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.5	226 of 874	74.1%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	57.7	327 of 839	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.3	346 of 870	60.2%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Pennsylvania percentile	Rating
2025	56.1	244 of 649	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	42.5	382 of 673	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	52.6	291 of 681	57.3%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

African American (2025)96th percentile+42 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)92nd percentile+38 vs school

Hispanic (2025)82nd percentile+28 vs school

Multi-racial (2024)82nd percentile+39 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)79th percentile+25 vs school

Female (2025)59th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2025)49th percentile-5 vs school

White (2025)42nd percentile-11 vs school

Disabled (2025)27th percentile-26 vs school

Asian (2025)14th percentile-40 vs school

Middle school

English Language Learner (2025)92nd percentile+29 vs school

African American (2025)84th percentile+21 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)80th percentile+17 vs school

Hispanic (2025)78th percentile+14 vs school

Disabled (2025)74th percentile+11 vs school

Female (2025)67th percentile+3 vs school

White (2025)62nd percentile~ school

Male (2025)61st percentile~ school

Asian (2025)12th percentile-52 vs school

By subject vs Pennsylvania (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts52%+3 vs state

Math39%-3 vs state

4.5

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Decatur Stephen School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Saturday, August 24, 2019

My grandchild has attended this school since Kindergarten and is now in the 6th grade the school has been great she is an excellent student Close Quote

by a parent on FaceBook
Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Teachers and staff are excellent, except of one problem: in a morning i am leaving my daughter 15 min early, even when is 35 F cold she has to stay outside , they have to change that.
Thank you for Kindergarten teachers and security they are very friendly . Close Quote

Schools Near Decatur Stephen School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				PSSA Math (2025)							PSSA English Language Arts (2025)							Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSSA Math 3rd Grade	PSSA Math 4th Grade	PSSA Math 5th Grade	PSSA Math 6th Grade	PSSA Math 7th Grade	PSSA Math 8th Grade	PSSA Math All Grades	PSSA English Language Arts 3rd Grade	PSSA English Language Arts 4th Grade	PSSA English Language Arts 5th Grade	PSSA English Language Arts 6th Grade	PSSA English Language Arts 7th Grade	PSSA English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSSA English Language Arts All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Decatur Stephen School	Public	K-8	3500 Academy Rd	Philadelphia	19154	Philadelphia County	Philadelphia City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(215) 400-3050	1,028	63	16.1	94.0%	442 (43.0%)	136 (13.2%)	196 (19.1%)	183 (17.8%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.3%)	68 (6.6%)	57.8	697^th of 1511 public elementary schools	53.9%		49.8	867^th of 1526 public elementary schools	43.2%	170	60.0	38.5	34.6	46.8	31.0	26.1	38.9	44.5	57.2	50.0	61.2	49.1	46.8	51.5	$17,838	$5,626	$12,212
Fitzpatrick Aloysius L School	Public	PK, KG-8	11061 Knights Rd	Philadelphia	19154	Philadelphia County	Philadelphia City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(215) 400-3060	906	53	17.2	93.5%	319 (35.2%)	219 (24.2%)	167 (18.4%)	136 (15.0%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	62 (6.8%)	23.8	1152^nd of 1511 public elementary schools	23.8%		30.5	1102^nd of 1526 public elementary schools	27.8%	50	32.1	22.4	26.3	12.7	23.2	21.1	23.1	38.8	19.0	43.4	31.7	34.9	29.3	33.2	$17,197	$5,313	$11,884
Cornwells Elementary School	Public	K-6	2215 Hulmeville Rd	Bensalem	19020	Bucks County	Bensalem Township School District	No	No	No	Yes	(215) 750-2800	556	32	17.3	99.3%	341 (61.3%)	60 (10.8%)	78 (14.0%)	46 (8.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (5.4%)	46	879^th of 1511 public elementary schools	41.8%		43.2	973^rd of 1526 public elementary schools	36.2%	94	60.2	36.4	38.6	29.8			41.3	44.8	46.6	40.0	47.3			44.8	$21,109	$1,250	$19,859
Benjamin Rush Elementary School	Public	K-6	3400 Hulmeville Rd	Bensalem	19020	Bucks County	Bensalem Township School District	No	No	No	Yes	(215) 750-2800	446	33	13.6	91.9%	103 (23.1%)	85 (19.1%)	167 (37.4%)	58 (13.0%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	30 (6.7%)	18.8	1223^rd of 1511 public elementary schools	19.1%		17.4	1253^rd of 1526 public elementary schools	17.9%	30	29.5	30.9	16.9	12.8			23.5	21.3	35.3	22.7	31.9			28.0	$20,610	$1,723	$18,887
Samuel K Faust Elementary School	Public	K-6	2901 Bellvue Dr	Bensalem	19020	Bucks County	Bensalem Township School District	No	No	No	Yes	(215) 750-2800	546	43	12.6	99.3%	138 (25.3%)	98 (17.9%)	202 (37.0%)	78 (14.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (5.3%)	33.7	1038^th of 1511 public elementary schools	31.3%		24.3	1157^th of 1526 public elementary schools	24.2%	119	46.9	27.9	37.7	27.3			34.9	30.3	29.6	40.3	39.8			35.4	$23,131	$1,663	$21,468
John Hancock Demonstration School	Public	K-8	3700 Morrell Ave	Philadelphia	19114	Philadelphia County	Philadelphia City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(215) 400-3120	895	63	14.1	85.3%	402 (44.9%)	125 (14.0%)	193 (21.6%)	130 (14.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (4.9%)	54.3	757^th of 1511 public elementary schools	49.9%		48.2	886^th of 1526 public elementary schools	41.9%	129	57.0	63.3	43.2	26.2	20.9	16.4	37.3	52.8	53.9	42.7	44.1	55.0	49.3	49.6	$20,028	$5,981	$14,047
Russell C Struble Elementary School	Public	K-6	4300 Bensalem Blvd	Bensalem	19020	Bucks County	Bensalem Township School District	No	No	No	No	(215) 750-2800	496	41	12.0	102.8%	240 (48.4%)	40 (8.1%)	78 (15.7%)	117 (23.6%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (3.8%)	46.6	872^nd of 1511 public elementary schools	42.3%		53.4	819^th of 1526 public elementary schools	46.3%	53	43.2	41.5	45.2	29.4			39.1	39.5	36.5	50.0	57.6			46.8	$21,385	$1,067	$20,318
Comly Watson School	Public	K-5	1001 Byberry Rd	Philadelphia	19116	Philadelphia County	Philadelphia City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(215) 400-3010	618	42	14.6	95.0%	312 (50.5%)	39 (6.3%)	59 (9.5%)	188 (30.4%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (2.9%)	50.3	818^th of 1511 public elementary schools	45.9%		43.9	965^th of 1526 public elementary schools	36.8%	147	59.3	49.4	50.7				53.1	42.1	39.7	42.9				41.6	$18,026	$5,404	$12,622
Loesche William High School	Public	PK, KG-5	595 Tomlinson Rd	Philadelphia	19116	Philadelphia County	Philadelphia City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(215) 400-3020	1,263	86	14.7	92.3%	640 (50.7%)	35 (2.8%)	59 (4.7%)	476 (37.7%)	4 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	48 (3.8%)	58.7	679^th of 1511 public elementary schools	55.1%		47.6	898^th of 1526 public elementary schools	41.2%	219	63.9	51.1	43.9				53.4	51.1	50.4	48.8				50.1	$18,001	$5,901	$12,100
Frank Anne School	Public	PK, KG-5	2000 Bowler St	Philadelphia	19115	Philadelphia County	Philadelphia City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(215) 400-3070	1,622	93	17.4	91.5%	669 (41.2%)	186 (11.5%)	135 (8.3%)	580 (35.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (3.1%)	65.6	563^rd of 1511 public elementary schools	62.7%		62.9	641^st of 1526 public elementary schools	58.0%	78	59.7	63.7	50.9				58.0	45.8	59.1	57.7				54.1	$18,118	$5,700	$12,418

Frequently Asked Questions about Decatur Stephen School

What district is Decatur Stephen School in?

Philadelphia City School District

Is Decatur Stephen School a good school?

Decatur Stephen School ranks 697^th of 1511 Pennsylvania elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Decatur Stephen School attend?

Students who attend Decatur Stephen School usually go on to attend:

High : Washington George High School

How many students attend Decatur Stephen School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,028 students attended Decatur Stephen School.

What is the racial makeup of Decatur Stephen School?

Students at Decatur Stephen School are 43% White, 19% Hispanic, 18% Asian, 13% African American, 7% Two or more races.

Rate Decatur Stephen School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

PAPennsylvania Elementary School Rankings

PAPennsylvania District Rankings

Schools in Philadelphia, PA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Decatur Stephen School!

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.