AD Prima Charter School
General Information — AD Prima Charter School
About (Overview)
AD Prima Charter School is a public charter institution serving students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its mission emphasizes educating the “whole child,” nurturing academic performance, social values, leadership, self-esteem, and community engagement. The school operates two campuses—Overbrook and Mount Airy—and draws students from across the city rather than being strictly bound by neighborhood zoning. AD Prima strives to offer a rigorous academic curriculum alongside supports designed to close achievement gaps.
As a charter school, it maintains greater flexibility in programming and operations while being held accountable to performance expectations. The school serves a demographic with high needs, including very high rates of students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunch, and it faces challenges in proficiency in statewide assessments. Nevertheless, AD Prima seeks improvement through data-driven instruction, targeted intervention, and community partnerships to provide students with meaningful opportunities to succeed academically and socially.
Contact Informations (Address, Phone Number, Email Address)
Administrative Office Address: 1941 Wynnewood Road, Philadelphia, PA 19151
Main Phone: 215-883-0638
Overbrook Campus Address (Physical): 1922 North 63rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19151
Overbrook Campus Phone: 267-403-2953
Mount Airy Campus Address (Physical): 8034 Thouron Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19150
Mount Airy Campus Phone: 215-488-7095
School Facts (Founding Year, Motto, etc.)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Public Charter School (K-8) |
| Grades Served | Kindergarten through 8th grade |
| Total Enrollment | 578 students (2023-2024) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | ~16.5 : 1 (35 FTE teachers) |
| Majority Demographic | ~93.6% African American |
| Free/Reduced Lunch Rate | Very high (nearly universal) |
| Academic Proficiency (Reading) | ~45% proficient |
| Academic Proficiency (Math) | ~16% proficient |
| Per Pupil Expenditure | ~$18,369 |
| Rank (State Elementary Schools) | Ranked ~1,232 of 1,526 in Pennsylvania |
AD Prima Charter School Rankings (State / National)
| Ranking Source | Rating / Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Niche (K-8 public charter) | Grade C− | Reflective of overall academic performance and support metrics |
| SchoolDigger | Ranked 1,232 / 1,526 Pennsylvania elementary schools | Performance in bottom quartile statewide |
| GreatSchools | 5 / 10 | Average rating relative to peer schools |
AD Prima Charter School Academics
AD Prima Charter School Faculties / Departments
- English Language Arts / Reading
- Mathematics
- Science / STEM Integration
- Social Studies / History / Civics
- Specialized Intervention / Remedial Education
- English Language Learner (ELL) Support
- Special Education / Inclusive Services
- Enrichment / Electives (Arts, Physical Education)
- Data & Assessment / Instructional Support
- After-School Academic Programs / Tutoring
AD Prima Charter School Courses and Programs / Majors
As a K-8 school, AD Prima does not offer majors but does provide a breadth of courses and programs. Among them:
- Core reading, writing, and literacy instruction across grades
- Mathematics progression from foundational skills to pre-algebra
- Science exploration and inquiry units
- Social studies, geography, civics, and history curriculum
- Intervention and remedial support in reading and math
- Enrichment electives: art, music, physical education
- STEM activities and project-based learning units
- After-school tutoring, academic support, and homework help
- Summer bridge programs and acceleration tracks
- Differentiated instruction and small group learning support
Online Learning
AD Prima Charter School leverages digital learning platforms for supplemental instruction, homework assignments, and adaptive practice. In periods of disruption (e.g., weather closures or public health exigencies), the school may shift portions of instruction to virtual formats. Online modules help remediate student learning gaps or extend enrichment activities, enabling educators to personalize pacing and reinforce key concepts outside direct classroom time. That said, the school’s core model remains in-person instruction with strong teacher-student interaction.
Average Test Scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, etc.)
| Assessment | Percentage / Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reading / ELA | ~45% proficient | Based on state test performance at AD Prima |
| Mathematics | ~16% proficient | Reflects challenges in math achievement at the school |
| Other Standardized Tests | Not applicable | As a K-8 school, it does not administer SAT/ACT/GRE |
Retention and Graduation Rates
Because AD Prima is an elementary and middle level school (K through 8), retention and graduation metrics typical of high schools do not apply. The school instead tracks year-to-year student continuation and promotion to the next grade. Efforts focus heavily on reducing retention in critical grades through early intervention, monitoring of student progress, and supports designed to keep students advancing through to the 8th grade and ready for high school.
AD Prima Charter School Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
AD Prima Charter School does not use GPA or SAT/ACT ranges for admissions, since it is a public charter serving K-8 levels. Admission is generally open to citywide applicants, and selection is often driven by lottery when demand exceeds available seats, rather than academic screening.
AD Prima Charter School Acceptance Rate
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance / Lottery Rate | Varies annually | Determined by number of applicants relative to seats available |
AD Prima Charter School Application Requirements
Families interested in enrolling at AD Prima must complete an application package that includes student demographic information, proof of residence, and the student’s prior academic record if applicable (elementary records). The process may involve submission of necessary paperwork such as birth certificate, immunization records, and parent/guardian agreements. Because the school serves K-8, admission is non-selective academically, but may use a lottery if more applicants apply than spaces available.
Application Process
- Obtain and submit the school’s application form by the deadline
- Provide required documentation (proof of residence, birth certificate, prior school records where applicable)
- Enter applicant pool for lottery if slots are oversubscribed
- Lottery selection (if needed)
- Notification of acceptance or placement on waitlist
- Complete registration and orientation for enrolled students
AD Prima Charter School Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Event | Timeframe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | Typically January 31 (for next school year) | For K-8 enrollment, as indicated by district oversight |
| Lottery / Selection Notification | Early spring | After application window closes |
| Registration Confirmation | Following acceptance | Families complete enrollment paperwork |
| School Year Start | August | Students begin classes for the academic year |
Essay Prompt (if applicable)
AD Prima does not commonly require essays for general K-8 admission. Should the school institute a supplemental prompt in certain years or for particular programs, it might ask applicants to share their interest in the school, goals for academic growth, or a brief statement about what they hope to gain in a supportive charter environment.
AD Prima Charter School Scholarships
Being a public charter school, AD Prima does not charge tuition and thus does not offer scholarships. Its services are publicly funded. However, the school might support students in identifying external grants, enrichment program subsidies, or educational assistance programs that align with charter school families’ needs.
AD Prima Charter School Tuition and Fees (Costs)
| Cost Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $0 | As a public charter school, education is tuition-free |
| Materials / Supplies | Varies (nominal) | Families may incur minimal costs for consumables, school supplies, or projects |
| Extra Program Fees | Varies | Costs may apply for extracurriculars, field trips, or enrichment programs |
AD Prima Charter School Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics (Gender, Age, Race/Ethnicity)
In the 2023-2024 school year, AD Prima enrolled 578 students across grades K–8. Of these, approximately 272 are male and 306 are female. The racial/ethnic makeup is heavily skewed: around 93.6% of students are African American, 3.5% Hispanic, 2.2% multiracial, 0.5% Asian, and 0.2% White. There are minimal numbers in other racial categories. This demographic reflects the school’s location and the communities it serves.
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
The school population is largely economically disadvantaged: Niche and SchoolDigger data show that essentially all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that almost 100% of families meet low-income thresholds. In addition, AD Prima provides special education and inclusive supports to students with disabilities or learning needs via individualized plans and intervention programs, though specific disability rates are not broadly reported.
Student Body (Total Students, International Students, etc.)
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Enrollment | 578 students | Across K–8 grades during 2023-24 Ulusal Eğitim İstatistikleri Merkezi+2Niche+2 |
| Full-Time Teachers (FTE) | 35 | Based on NCES data Ulusal Eğitim İstatistikleri Merkezi |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | ~16.5 : 1 | As reported by NCES Ulusal Eğitim İstatistikleri Merkezi |
| International Students | Minimal / not reported | The school primarily serves local Philadelphia populations |
AD Prima Charter School Diversity
Diversity at AD Prima Charter School is present primarily through socioeconomic and racial dimensions. Though the student population is overwhelmingly African American, the school’s commitment to serving low-income, underserved communities brings in students facing educational equity challenges from diverse urban backgrounds. The high proportion of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch points to pervasive economic diversity and the need for supports. While racial diversity is limited, the internal diversity of student experiences—varying learning needs, language backgrounds, family situations—fosters a learning environment where differentiated instruction and culturally responsive teaching are critical. The school serves as a microcosm of urban educational challenges and opportunities, emphasizing inclusion, equity, and support for all learners. Faculty and staff must attend to the range of readiness, learning styles, and barriers students bring, making diversity not just a demographic fact but a core consideration in instructional planning, student support, and community building.
AD Prima Charter School Average Earnings
As a K–8 charter school, AD Prima does not track alumni earnings or employment outcomes, since its students advance to other institutions for high school and beyond. Unlike higher education institutions, the value of AD Prima’s impact is measured through student achievement progression, grade-level proficiency gains, retention, and readiness for secondary education rather than direct income data. However, the school’s effectiveness is indirectly tied to future outcomes: by improving literacy, numeracy, and foundational skills, AD Prima students have the potential to graduate high school, attend college or vocational training, and thereby contribute to higher income trajectories compared to peers who lack early educational support. Longitudinal district-level analyses might trace how students who attend AD Prima perform later in academics and labor markets, but such earnings data is collected at secondary or postsecondary levels rather than by the elementary/middle school itself.
AD Prima Charter School Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
AD Prima employs certified teachers across all grade levels, supported by intervention specialists, special educators, instructional coaches, and support personnel. The staff includes administrative leadership, campus principals, counseling and pupil services, curriculum coordinators, data/assessment staff, and paraprofessionals. The school’s structure supports small-group instruction, academic interventions, and differentiated learning, requiring roles such as reading and math interventionists, as well as after-school program staff.
Faculty Profiles (Expertise, Achievements)
While individual faculty profiles are not broadly published, AD Prima’s teaching force is tasked with high-challenge conditions, working with students facing income-based obstacles and academic remediation needs. Teachers often specialize in literacy intervention, differentiated instruction, and data-driven practices. Some may hold advanced credentials or participate in professional development initiatives aimed at urban education reform. Achievements likely include student growth gains, grant writing or resource acquisition, leadership in instructional innovation or turnaround practices, and community engagement. Given the school’s mission, faculty are expected to work collaboratively to support continuous improvement, equity, and student responsiveness.
AD Prima Charter School Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
AD Prima is a day school; students commute daily to one of its two campuses (Overbrook and Mount Airy) and there is no residential housing component. Campus life is shaped by K–8 school rhythms: morning assemblies, grade-level cohorts, recess, lunch, specials like art or physical education, clubs, and after-school programming. The school community strives for student engagement through enrichment opportunities, events, parent involvement, academic and cultural celebrations, and service projects. The physical environments at both campuses must accommodate classroom instruction, small-group intervention space, arts/music rooms, and support facilities. Because the student population includes younger children through adolescents, campus life must balance safety, age-appropriate transitions, and continuity of school identity across grades.
Transportation (Access to Campus, Public Transport, On-Campus Mobility)
Students access AD Prima campuses through a mix of district transportation, public transit, walking, or guardian drop-off, depending on individual location and route availability. Because the school draws citywide applicants, some students travel across neighborhoods via public transit. On campus, mobility is by walking between classrooms, intervention rooms, art/music areas, and common spaces like the gym or cafeteria. The building layouts and scheduling aim to minimize transitions and support younger learners navigating the school footprint. Orientation and supervision protocols are critical, especially for transitions between grades and movement between campus spaces to maintain safety and efficiency.