Philadelphia Learning Academy - West

Philadelphia Learning Academy - West is a minimally staffed secondary school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, operated by Philadelphia City SD. The school hosts 99 students in grades 9 through 12. That puts it 87% smaller than the typical public school in Pennsylvania, which averages around 738 students.

Across the 220 schools in Philadelphia City SD (116,230 students total), Philadelphia Learning Academy - West accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

Demographically, Philadelphia Learning Academy - West records that nearly all students (97%) are Black; the rest looks like 2% Hispanic. The wider county runs roughly 39% Black, putting the school's mix considerably more Black than the area baseline.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Staff filings list 6 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 15.6:1 students per teacher. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 12.8:1, putting Philadelphia Learning Academy - West higher than the state norm the norm. About 61% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator. By comparison, Philadelphia County runs at roughly 95%, so the school's eligibility rate is lower than the surrounding baseline.

Zooming out to the county, the surrounding county (Philadelphia County) reports that median household income runs about $61,953, about 35% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 17%. Philadelphia Learning Academy - West is one of 309 public schools in Philadelphia County (combined enrollment of about 182,005 students).

Nearest neighbor: Washington Martha Sch, around 0.2 miles off. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools.

Geographically, the school is in a high-density area.

Five-year trend. Philadelphia Learning Academy - West's enrollment has rose 16% since 2018, when it stood at 85 (now 99). Over the same period, the Black share ticked up from 92% to 97%. Class-load math has widened: from 9.8:1 in 2018 to 15.6:1 in 2025.

In the discussion threads here, the feed for Philadelphia Learning Academy - West typically covers enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.