The Philadelphia High School for Girls, also known as Girls' High, is a public college preparatory magnet high school for girls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established in 1848, it was one of the first public schools for women.
Serving 722 students in grades 9-12, Girls High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 50-59% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 80-84% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority 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: 722 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 85-89% (Btm 50% in PA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 50-59% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 80-84% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: <50% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Girls High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Girls High School's student population of 722 students has declined by 14% over five school years.
The teacher population of 44 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
722 students
Total Classroom Teachers
44 teachers
Year Founded
1848
Colors
White and Yellow
School Rankings
Girls High School ranks within the top 20% of all 2,733 schools in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Girls High School is 0.51, which is less 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
#435 out of 2733 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50-59%
36%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
80-84%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
<50%
57%
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
13%
5%
Hispanic
10%
15%
Black
68%
14%
White
4%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
85-89%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
60%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (14-15)
6%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Gazelle
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Girls High School's ranking?
Girls High School is ranked #435 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are Girls High School often compared to?
Girls High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Central High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
50-59% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 36% PA state average), while 80-84% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Girls High School?
The graduation rate of Girls High School is 85-89%, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend Girls High School?
722 students attend Girls High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
68% of Girls High School students are Black, 13% of students are Asian, 10% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 4% of students are White.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Girls High School?
Girls High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Girls High School offer ?
Girls High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Girls High School part of?
Girls High School is part of Philadelphia City School District.
In what neighborhood is Girls High School located?
Girls High School is located in the North Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 106 other public schools located in North Philadelphia.
School Reviews
5 8/11/2021
My daughter did very well in this school. I commence the teachers to the utmost. Thank you so much to all of the staff. My baby graduated from West Chester University in 2021.
5 5/24/2014
i love this school
Review Girls High School. 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
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
