The Academy at Palumbo, formerly known as Bartlett School and Frank C. Palumbo Junior High School, is a historic school building located in the Bella Vista neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is part of the School District of Philadelphia. The building was designed by Irwin T. Catharine and built in 1930.
Serving 1,188 students in grades 9-12, Academy At Palumbo ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 73% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 91% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 84% of the student body (majority Asian and Black), which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,188 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 95% (Top 30% in PA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5%
- Math Proficiency: 73% (Top 10%)
- Reading Proficiency: 91% (Top 1%)
- Science Proficiency: <50% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Academy At Palumbo ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Academy At Palumbo's student population of 1,188 students has grown by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 63 teachers has grown by 117% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,188 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
63 teachers
School Calendar
School Motto
'Griffin Pride, Nothing Less Than Success'
School Rankings
Academy At Palumbo ranks within the top 5% of all 2,733 schools in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Academy At Palumbo is 0.76, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#79 out of 2733 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
73%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
91%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
<50%
57%
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
13:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
36%
5%
Hispanic
17%
15%
Black
25%
14%
White
16%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
95%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
60%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (14-15)
4%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Academy At Palumbo's ranking?
Academy At Palumbo is ranked #79 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
73% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% PA state average), while 91% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Academy At Palumbo?
The graduation rate of Academy At Palumbo is 95%, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend Academy At Palumbo?
1,188 students attend Academy At Palumbo.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
36% of Academy At Palumbo students are Asian, 25% of students are Black, 17% of students are Hispanic, 16% of students are White, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Academy At Palumbo?
Academy At Palumbo has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Academy At Palumbo offer ?
Academy At Palumbo offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Academy At Palumbo part of?
Academy At Palumbo is part of Philadelphia City School District.
In what neighborhood is Academy At Palumbo located?
Academy At Palumbo is located in the Hawthorne neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 1 other public schools located in Hawthorne.
School Reviews
Review Academy At Palumbo. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we鈥檒l take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
