Horace Howard Furness High School is a secondary school in South Philadelphia. It is part of the School District of Philadelphia. Portions of South Philadelphia are zoned to Furness. A section of Center City, including Society Hill and Old City, was formerly zoned to Furness for high school.
Serving 896 students in grades 9-12, Furness Horace High School ranks in the bottom 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 20-24% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 20-24% (which is lower 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 93% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 896 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 60% (Btm 50% in PA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 10-14% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Furness Horace High School serves the southern part of Philadelphia, PA, covering an area of approximately 4.1 square miles. Most students live within a 1-mile average distance from the school, with the furthest edge being 2.6 miles away, making for a typical drive of 5-10 minutes.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
School Overview
Furness Horace High School's student population of 896 students has grown by 28% over five school years.
The teacher population of 46 teachers has declined by 6% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
896 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
46 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1976
School Calendar
School Rankings
Furness Horace High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,733 schools in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Furness Horace High School is 0.69, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.60. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2301 out of 2733 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
38%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
55%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
10-14%
57%
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
13:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
30%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
44%
16%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
16%
14%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
7%
60%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
3%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
60%
87.5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)38.5%
23.3%
Eligible for Free Lunch
92%
59%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (08-09)
12%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Grey and Black
School Mascot
Falcons
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Furness Horace High School's ranking?
Furness Horace High School is ranked #2301 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are Furness Horace High School often compared to?
Furness Horace High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like South Philadelphia High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
20-24% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% PA state average), while 20-24% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Furness Horace High School?
The graduation rate of Furness Horace High School is 60%, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 87.5%.
How many students attend Furness Horace High School?
896 students attend Furness Horace High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
44% of Furness Horace High School students are Hispanic, 30% of students are Asian, 16% of students are Black, 7% of students are White, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Furness Horace High School?
Furness Horace High School has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Furness Horace High School offer ?
Furness Horace High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Furness Horace High School part of?
Furness Horace High School is part of Philadelphia City School District.
In what neighborhood is Furness Horace High School located?
Furness Horace High School is located in the Pennsport neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA.
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