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 822 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 14:1 is higher than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 94% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 822 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 94%
- 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%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Furness Horace High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Furness Horace High School's student population of 822 students has grown by 25% over five school years.
The teacher population of 59 teachers has grown by 55% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
822 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
59 teachers
Year Founded
1976
School Calendar
First Day of School
Sat. Aug 30, 2025
Last Day of School
Sun. Jun 14, 2026
School Mascot
Falcons
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 0.71, 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
#2301 out of 2733 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
10-14%
57%
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
31%
5%
Hispanic
41%
15%
Black
18%
14%
White
6%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
60%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
60%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (08-09)
12%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Falcons
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
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%.
How many students attend Furness Horace High School?
822 students attend Furness Horace High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
41% of Furness Horace High School students are Hispanic, 31% of students are Asian, 18% of students are Black, 6% of students are White, and 4% 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 14:1, 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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