The Hardy Williams Academy, formerly the Anna Howard Shaw Junior High School, is a historic junior high school building located in the Southwest Schuylkill neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Serving 1,253 students in grades Kindergarten-12, Mastery Cs-hardy Williams 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 14% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 29% (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.
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Charter School
- Grades: Kindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 1,253 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Graduation Rate: ≥95% (Top 10% in PA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 14% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 29% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 27% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Mastery Cs-hardy Williams ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Mastery Cs-hardy Williams's student population of 1,253 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 66 teachers has declined by 7% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,253 students
Total Classroom Teachers
66 teachers
Year Founded
2001
School Calendar
School Rankings
Mastery Cs-hardy Williams 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 Mastery Cs-hardy Williams is 0.10, which is less 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
#2385 out of 2733 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
14%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
57%
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
5%
Hispanic
3%
16%
Black
95%
14%
White
n/a
60%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥95%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
95%
59%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (14-15)
3%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Mastery CS-Hardy Williams School District
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mastery Cs-hardy Williams's ranking?
Mastery Cs-hardy Williams is ranked #2385 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are Mastery Cs-hardy Williams often compared to?
Mastery Cs-hardy Williamsis often viewed alongside schools like Mastery Cs -thomas Campus by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
14% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% PA state average), while 29% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Mastery Cs-hardy Williams?
The graduation rate of Mastery Cs-hardy Williams is 95%, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend Mastery Cs-hardy Williams?
1,253 students attend Mastery Cs-hardy Williams.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
95% of Mastery Cs-hardy Williams students are Black, 3% of students are Hispanic, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Mastery Cs-hardy Williams?
Mastery Cs-hardy Williams has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Mastery Cs-hardy Williams offer ?
Mastery Cs-hardy Williams offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Mastery Cs-hardy Williams part of?
Mastery Cs-hardy Williams is part of Mastery CS-Hardy Williams School District.
In what neighborhood is Mastery Cs-hardy Williams located?
Mastery Cs-hardy Williams is located in the Kingsessing neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 3 other public schools located in Kingsessing.
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
For a charter school this "school", if it even qualifies to be called that is very dissapointing. The academic programs that he school uses is great but the teachers hardly follow it. Kids have been doing some of the same worksheets for three grades straight...and don't even get me started on the damage to the books. The school has Spanish,Art,Music, and Gym. The problem is the kids get each of these maybe once or twice a week for 45 mins. When you include the fact that it takes the teachers a good 20 mins to settle the children there is very little instructional time left. Tha actual building it's in is disastrous. They have had at least 3 emergencies in the last two years where the kids had to be housed in the church next door. They were due to a lack of heat and two separate gas leaks. During the second gas leak they actually let the kids back in the building BEFORE they had fixed anything. The adminsitration at this school seems very detached. It is almost impossible to get in touch with them. Ever since Edison took over this school has been falling apart. If you are considering Renaissance Advantage Charter School...or RACS as they like to call it please DO NOT waste your time with this sorry excuse for a school.
5 10/10/2025
The school has changed alot since it wasd taken over by Edison.I have had alot of problems with the staff at RACS. Some of them seem to be very rude and ignorant, they deal with problems pretaining to your children like they owe you no explaination.
This year they have a new principal, he seems to be on his P's and Q's. I have 3 children there, I hope these new changes work out for the best.
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