Public schools in Chester, PA
7 open public schools with an address in Chester, operated by 3 education agencies. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
7
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
6,823
7 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
14.5:1
Pennsylvania median 13:1
Charter schools
2
1 magnet · 0 virtual
An overview of Chester public schools
The federal directory lists 7 public schools in Chester, PA: 4 elementary, 2 high, 1 combined or other. The 7 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 6,823 students, an average of 975 per school. The largest campus is Chester Community CS (3,782 students).
Chester-Upland SD operates the most schools here (5), plus 2 charter, service, or other agencies. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 14.5:1, higher than the statewide school median of 13:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 2 charter schools, 1 magnet school. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 3 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 1 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 1 of 3 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
School districts and agencies serving Chester
Elementary schools in Chester
4| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester Community CS Chester Community CS · Charter | KG–08 | 3,782 | 20.6:1 | |
| Chester Upland Sch of Arts Chester-Upland SD | PK–05 | 384 | 13.7:1 | |
| Edgmont Scholars Academy Chester-Upland SD | PK–08 | 422 | 19.2:1 | |
| Stetser El Sch Chester-Upland SD | PK–06 | 251 | 11.4:1 |
High schools in Chester
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester HS Chester-Upland SD | 09–12 | 806 | 15.5:1 | |
| STEM at Showalter Chester-Upland SD · Magnet | 07–12 | 477 | 14.5:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Chester
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester Charter Scholars Academy CS Chester Charter Scholars Academy CS · Charter | KG–12 | 701 | 13.6:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White1.4%
- Hispanic14.5%
- Black80.4%
- Asian0.2%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.2%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial3.2%
Enrollment-weighted across 7 Chester schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (6,823 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Chester
How many public schools are in Chester, PA?
The current NCES directory lists 7 open public schools with a location address in Chester: 4 elementary, 2 high, 1 combined or other. Together they reported 6,823 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Chester?
Schools with an address in Chester belong to 3 education agencies, led by Chester-Upland SD (5 schools), Chester Charter Scholars Academy CS (1 school), Chester Community CS (1 school). A mailing city is not an attendance boundary; confirm the district for a specific address.
What is the largest public high school in Chester?
Chester HS reported the largest high-school enrollment in Chester, with 806 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Chester?
Yes. 2 of the 7 public schools in Chester are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Chester Charter Scholars Academy CS, Chester Community CS. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Chester schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Chester public schools is 14.5:1, higher than the Pennsylvania school median of 13:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Chester guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Pennsylvania cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Pennsylvania cities