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 50% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 35-39% (which is approximately equal to the Pennsylvania state average of 38%). 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 Facts (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 50%
- Math Proficiency: 35-39% (Btm 50%)
- 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
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 Calendar
School Rankings
Creative And Performing Arts ranks within the top 50% 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
#824 out of 2733 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
38%
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 #824 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
35-39% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% 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:
- 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’s 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’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
