Universal Vare CS

As a rural-scale intermediate school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Universal Vare CS instructs 107 students from grades 5 through 8, operated by Universal Vare CS. Compared to the state average of about 594 students per school, that is 82% smaller than typical.

Operationally, Universal Vare CS answers to Universal Vare CS, which sets policy, hires staff, and reports enrollment to the state.

In terms of who attends, Universal Vare CS shows that the largest single group is Black, at 64% of enrollment; the rest reads as 20% Asian, 10% Hispanic, 4% multiracial. The wider county runs roughly 39% Black, putting the school's mix meaningfully more Black than the area baseline.

In terms of school funding signals, The school reports having 7 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 15.3:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.2:1, putting Universal Vare CS higher than the state norm the norm. Roughly 134% of students at Universal Vare CS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy. Set against Philadelphia County (around 95%), the school's rate is meaningfully above typical.

In the area at large, community-level numbers for Philadelphia County indicate median household earnings sit near $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%. In all, Philadelphia County runs 309 public schools (combined enrollment of about 182,005 students), of which Universal Vare CS is one.

The closest other public school is Preparatory CS of Mathematics Science Tech and Careers, roughly 0.2 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools.

The campus sits in an urban setting. Universal Vare CS operates as a public charter school, meaning it is publicly funded but governed independently of the surrounding district's traditional schools.

Trend over the last 7 years. Universal Vare CS's enrollment has decreased 71% since 2018, when it stood at 372 (now 107). Black enrollment moved from 74% to 64% across the same window. Class-load math has tightened: from 21.9:1 in 2018 to 15.3:1 in 2025.

On allk12, members of the Universal Vare CS community share and discuss classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. The community welcomes input from current and former families.