The John M. Patterson School is a historic American elementary school located in the Penrose neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the School District of Philadelphia. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Serving 399 students in grades Prekindergarten-4, Patterson John M 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 15-19% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 36%). 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 13:1 is equal to the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-4
- Enrollment: 399 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in PA
- Math Proficiency: 15-19% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 30-34% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Patterson John M School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Patterson John M School's student population of 399 students has declined by 27% over five school years.
The teacher population of 30 teachers has declined by 21% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-4
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
399 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
30 teachers
School Rankings
Patterson John M 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 Patterson John M School is 0.31, 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
#2351 out of 2733 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
15-19%
36%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
57%
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
5%
5%
Hispanic
7%
15%
Black
83%
14%
White
1%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
60%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (08-09)
11%
7%
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 Patterson John M School's ranking?
Patterson John M School is ranked #2351 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are Patterson John M School often compared to?
Patterson John M Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Catharine Joseph School, Morton Thomas G School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
15-19% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 36% PA state average), while 20-24% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
How many students attend Patterson John M School?
399 students attend Patterson John M School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
83% of Patterson John M School students are Black, 7% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Asian, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Patterson John M School?
Patterson John M School has a student ration of 13:1, which is equal to the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Patterson John M School offer ?
Patterson John M School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-4 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Patterson John M School part of?
Patterson John M School is part of Philadelphia City School District.
In what neighborhood is Patterson John M School located?
Patterson John M School is located in the Elmwood Park neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 5 other public schools located in Elmwood Park.
School Reviews
Review Patterson John M 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.
