School District for
Zip Code 19109

About Philadelphia City School District

Zip code 19109 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is served by Philadelphia City School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades K–12. This page provides a data-driven overview of Philadelphia City School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.

Funding and Resources

According to NCES 2024–2025, Philadelphia City School District spends approximately $18,000 per student per year, placing it near the Pennsylvania state average of approximately $18,000 and above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Above-average spending generally translates to more instructional resources per student, stronger program variety at the middle and high school levels, and better-maintained facilities. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.

District Scale and Program Breadth

At 219 schools serving grades K–12, Philadelphia City School District qualifies as a major metropolitan district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 118,335 students in total. Major metropolitan districts operate dozens to hundreds of schools across wide geographic areas. They often include magnet schools, gifted programs, dual-language academies, and career and technical education pathways not available in smaller systems. Within-district quality variation is significant: a school two miles from your address might be rated very differently from your assigned school.

Understanding the 1/10 Rating

With a rating of 1/10 (low-rated), Philadelphia City School District ranks among Pennsylvania’s low-rated-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Pennsylvania is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.

Philadelphia City School District holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Pennsylvania on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.

Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 19109

Children in zip code 19109 are assigned to Philadelphia City School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 19109, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.

To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Philadelphia City School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Pennsylvania districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.

School Districts and Home Values in Philadelphia

For families considering a purchase in the Philadelphia area, district assignment matters financially. Because Philadelphia City School District serves zip code 19109, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 19109. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.

Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Pennsylvania, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Philadelphia City School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 19109.

Data Sources and Accuracy

All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Philadelphia City School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 19109 data.