National Constitution Center High School

Summary:

Constitution High School is a public high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serving 383 students in grades 9-12. As part of the Philadelphia City School District, which is ranked 494 out of 606 districts in the state, Constitution High School faces several challenges in providing a quality education to its students.

One key factor that sets Constitution High School apart is its racial makeup, with a significantly higher percentage of African American students (63.71%) compared to nearby schools, which range from 17.96% to 75.57% African American. Academically, the school's proficiency rates on Keystone Exams lag behind state averages, with only 17.2% of 11th-grade students proficient or better in Algebra I, 12.8% in Biology, and 66.3% in Literature. However, the school has maintained a relatively high four-year graduation rate, ranging from 93.0% to 98.9% over the past five years, though its dropout rate is still higher than some of the nearby high-performing schools, such as Masterman Julia R Sec School and Science Leadership Academy.

Another notable factor is the school's socioeconomic status, with 100% of its students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage. When compared to nearby schools, Constitution High School's academic performance and student-teacher ratio are generally lower than the high-performing schools, but similar to the lower-performing schools in the area. To improve the school's performance, potential areas of focus could include implementing targeted academic interventions, attracting and retaining high-quality teachers, and leveraging the school's diverse student population and community resources to create a more engaging and supportive learning environment.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 18 S 7th St
       Philadelphia, PA  19106-2314


(215) 400-7850

District: Philadelphia City School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
508th of 674 Pennsylvania High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,899 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  18.2 Help
Number of students:  383

Racial breakdown:

African American:
63.7%
Hispanic:
17.8%
Asian:
6.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details National Constitution Center High School ranks worse than 75.4% of high schools in Pennsylvania. It also ranks 17th among 54 ranked high schools in the Philadelphia City School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 30.24. (See more...)
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The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of National Constitution Center High School freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (63.7%), Hispanic (17.8%), Asian (6.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at National Constitution Center High School is 18.2. 41 high schools in the Philadelphia City School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare National Constitution Center High School employs 21 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at National Constitution Center High School is $15,899. 43 high schools in the Philadelphia City School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

National Constitution Center High School:

SchoolDigger ranks National Constitution Center High School 508th of 674 Pennsylvania public high schools. (See National Constitution Center High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:


Philadelphia City School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Philadelphia City School District 494th of 606 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for National Constitution Center High School?

Rank History for National Constitution Center High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at National Constitution Center High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2009 53.81 347th 632 45.1%
2010 51.14 385th 649 40.7%
2011 39.94 490th 660 25.8%
2012 53.09 387th 664 41.7%
2013 29.04 489th 591 17.3%
2014 24.53 493rd 580 15.0%
2015 19.88 558th 680 17.9%
2016 26.64 542nd 677 19.9%
2017 12.38 571st 663 13.9%
2018 27.43 521st 673 22.6%
2019 25.03 550th 693 20.6%
2021 7.81 502nd 537 6.5%
2022 13.37 553rd 634 12.8%
2023 30.24 508th 674 24.6%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania High School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at National Constitution Center High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 43.31 394th 652 39.6%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for African American students at National Constitution Center High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 50.99 119th 260 54.2%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at National Constitution Center High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 61.05 90th 252 64.3%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: Pennsylvania Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

National Constitution Center High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.7)
67%

33%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Monday, June 27, 2011

Open Quote this school is wonderful it teaches you who you wont to be in the 4 next years i just got out of my freshman year and i think the schoo l is terrific great facilty and staff of constution and a amazing principle Close Quote


by a student
Saturday, September 18, 2010

Open Quote This website is NOT UPDATED! Constitution High School has occupied room for 9-12th grade since Fall of 2009. I graduated from here in 2010.

This is a great school to attend, and they offer a number if AP Classes, Dual enrollment classes with Cheyney University, Partnerships with a big law firm (Ballard Spahr Andrews and Ingersoll), a long time partner The National Constitution Center and a partner school in Afghanistan.

The school also provides mentorship with lawyers and paralegals and a school government unlike no other; it's actually RUN by the students and FOR the students. It is modeled after the US Government. They help you to learn about the US government from 9th - 12th grade. Students start off in "The Constitution" class and ending in 12th grade have the option to be in a "Constitutional Law" class.

When I came to this school I wanted to be a lawyer. I participated in the National High School Mock Trial Championship (a great school club for serious students)and the mentorship program to get a feel of what it was like to actually be a lawyer. Because of those experiences, I am not wasting time in college finding out that I DO NOT want to become a lawyer. I found out that there were long hours involved and hard to balance a work and family life (not that it can not be done)!

Constitution High has top-notch,... if not the best teachers, dean and principal you could EVER IMAGINE! In this school you develop a one-on-one relationship with the teachers. They're caring and work hard to help you get the best grades possible! With all of the teachers, if you ask for one-on-one tutoring/conversation, that's what you get! And because of the small size you wouldn't be surprized if the principal was walking down the hall and called you by name from behind!

One of our English teachers was nominated and WON the LINDBACK DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AWARD! He is one out of ONLY 66 teachers in the Philadelphia School District to win this award! His hard work is reflected in the school's 11th Grade Writing & Reading PSSA Test Scores, in which the students scored well above the School District and State Average Scores in 2009 and 2010!

The school is also surrounded by historical and educational sites, which are utilized by the students in walking trips. It is located in center-city, in a safe environment.

The school is not only educational, but fun! I've never wanted to volunteer until I got involved in the Service Learning Project. There were instances where the two classes came together to debate, school elections, spirit days, class trips, teachers that make jokes to help you remember class work, lots of places to eat, going out for lunch (Yum!!!), classes at Cheyney University's Urban Campus, Field Day, School Parties to raise funds for the basketball team, a number of school clubs, bake sales and more! Plus, where else can you find a school that has their own court room, and judges?

Nevertheless, going through and graduating out of Constitution High School is a maturing experience, and this school is nationally recognized! I was accepted into a number of colleges, and so were many of my other classmates. These colleges included Spelman College, Drexel University, University of Miami, and Swarthmore College. Going to Constitution High was a great experience for me, and I really wouldn't have changed much about it!

Constitution High School is a special admissions magnet school, meaning that they accept the best students from all over Philadelphia. I encourage anyone who's willing to work hard and enjoy themselves, to come to Constitution High School! Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, April 13, 2009

Open Quote Constitution HS is preparing my child for college. The school is small and focus on history and government. It has a excellent location in center city and the school takes the students on trips and gives my child a lot of attention. Close Quote



Enrollment information for National Constitution Center High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2007 13 74 2 5 1 n/a n/a 0 95
2008 30 144 5 11 1 n/a n/a 0 191
2009 51 204 8 22 2 n/a n/a 2 289
2010 75 255 16 31 4 n/a n/a 3 384
2011 73 244 18 39 4 0 4 0 382
2012 63 231 22 44 5 0 5 0 370
2013 54 250 27 41 4 0 4 0 380
2014 39 260 24 39 2 0 4 0 368
2015 27 248 24 45 0 0 6 0 350
2016 27 267 17 54 0 0 13 0 378
2017 24 252 23 60 0 0 13 0 372
2018 21 270 25 62 0 0 13 0 391
2019 18 271 26 54 0 0 16 0 385
2020 15 257 32 64 0 0 17 0 385
2021 13 263 31 71 0 0 20 0 398
2022 19 252 31 67 0 0 25 0 394
2023 19 244 26 68 0 0 26 0 383

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at National Constitution Center High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2007 95 9.0 10.6 48.4
2008 191 12.0 15.9 55
2009 289 17.0 17.0 44.9
2010 384 20.5 18.7 35.2
2011 382 23.7 16.0 38
2012 370 18.5 19.9 36.2
2013 380 19.6 19.3 50.5
2014 368 15.7 23.3 55.7
2015 350 17.0 20.5 58.9
2016 378 n/a n/a 100
2017 372 19.2 19.3 100
2018 391 14.0 27.9 100
2019 385 16.0 24.0 100
2020 385 19.1 20.1 99.7
2021 398 19.1 20.8 99.2
2022 394 22.8 17.2 99.2
2023 383 21.0 18.2 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio National Constitution Center High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2007 95 9.0 10.6 48.4
2008 191 12.0 15.9 55
2009 289 17.0 17.0 44.9
2010 384 20.5 18.7 35.2
2011 382 23.7 16.0 38
2012 370 18.5 19.9 36.2
2013 380 19.6 19.3 50.5
2014 368 15.7 23.3 55.7
2015 350 17.0 20.5 58.9
2016 378 n/a n/a 100
2017 372 19.2 19.3 100
2018 391 14.0 27.9 100
2019 385 16.0 24.0 100
2020 385 19.1 20.1 99.7
2021 398 19.1 20.8 99.2
2022 394 22.8 17.2 99.2
2023 383 21.0 18.2 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for National Constitution Center High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,356 (9.2%) $13,398 (90.8%) $14,754
2020 $1,270 (10.5%) $10,780 (89.5%) $12,050
2021 $2,594 (20.7%) $9,940 (79.3%) $12,534
2022 $8,791 (55.3%) $7,108 (44.7%) $15,899

Data source: Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on National Constitution Center High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 550th of 693 High schoolsRanks 508th of 674 High schools
 4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade Algebra I (National Constitution Center High School)53.417.2
 36.2%
   11th Grade Algebra I (Pennsylvania)63.334.1
 29.2%
11th Grade Biology (National Constitution Center High School)20.512.8
 7.7%
   11th Grade Biology (Pennsylvania)63.250.7
 12.5%
11th Grade Literature (National Constitution Center High School)55.766.3
 10.6%
   11th Grade Literature (Pennsylvania)71.565.3
 6.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students385383
 0.5%
African American271244
 10%
American Indian00
Asian2626
Hispanic5468
 25.9%
Pacific Islander00
White1819
 5.6%
Two or More Races1626
 62.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%100%


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Frequently Asked Questions about National Constitution Center High School

Students at National Constitution Center High School are 64% African American, 18% Hispanic, 7% Asian, 7% Two or more races, 5% White.

In the 2022-23 school year, 383 students attended National Constitution Center High School.

National Constitution Center High School ranks in the bottom 24.6% of Pennsylvania high schools.


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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.





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