Best Public Schools in Chester, PA

The city of Chester, Pennsylvania is home to 8 schools across two school districts - Chester Community Charter School District and Chester-Upland School District. The schools serve a range of grade levels, including 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 2 high schools, and 1 alternative school. The data reveals stark disparities in academic performance, with Chester Charter Scholars Academy Charter School and STEM at Showalter significantly outperforming the traditional public schools in the Chester-Upland School District.

The standout schools in the area are Chester Charter Scholars Academy Charter School and STEM at Showalter. Chester Charter Scholars Academy has the highest 4-year graduation rate at 87.2% and the lowest dropout rate at 0.3%, while its students perform significantly better on standardized tests compared to the district and state averages. STEM at Showalter also has an impressive 96.8% 4-year graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate, with students outperforming the district and state on assessments.

In contrast, the traditional public schools in the Chester-Upland School District generally perform poorly on standardized tests, with proficiency rates well below the state averages. Chester High School has a relatively low 4-year graduation rate of 66.1% and a 0.7% dropout rate. The data suggests that the Chester-Upland School District faces significant challenges in providing a quality education to its students, likely due to a combination of factors such as funding, community support, and administrative leadership.