The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, commonly known as CAPA, is a magnet school in South Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the edge of the Christian Street Historic District. It is a part of the School District of Philadelphia.
Serving 654 students in grades 9-12, Creative And Performing Arts ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 60-64% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 75-79% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 71% 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: 654 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Minority Enrollment: 71%
- Graduation Rate: ≥95% (Top 10% in PA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 60-64% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 75-79% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 40-44% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Creative And Performing Arts ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Graduation Rate
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Creative And Performing Arts's student population of 654 students has declined by 12% over five school years.
The teacher population of 37 teachers has grown by 27% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
654 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
37 teachers
Year Founded
1978
School Rankings
Creative And Performing Arts 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 Creative And Performing Arts is 0.67, 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
#366 out of 2733 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
36%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75-79%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-44%
57%
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
5%
5%
Hispanic
12%
15%
Black
48%
14%
White
29%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥95%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
60%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (14-15)
3%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Pegasus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creative And Performing Arts's ranking?
Creative And Performing Arts is ranked #366 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
60-64% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 36% PA state average), while 75-79% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Creative And Performing Arts?
The graduation rate of Creative And Performing Arts is 95%, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend Creative And Performing Arts?
654 students attend Creative And Performing Arts.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
48% of Creative And Performing Arts students are Black, 29% of students are White, 12% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 5% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Creative And Performing Arts?
Creative And Performing Arts has a student ration of 18:1, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Creative And Performing Arts offer ?
Creative And Performing Arts offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Creative And Performing Arts part of?
Creative And Performing Arts is part of Philadelphia City School District.
In what neighborhood is Creative And Performing Arts located?
Creative And Performing Arts is located in the Hawthorne neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 1 other public schools located in Hawthorne.
School Reviews
Review Creative And Performing Arts. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
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