Murrell Dobbins Career & Technical Education High School, also known as Murrell Dobbins Vocational High School, is a historic vocational school building located in the West Lehigh neighborhood of North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the School District of Philadelphia.
Serving 581 students in grades 9-12, Dobbins Area Vocational-technical 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 ≤5% (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 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Vocational school
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 581 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 75-79% (Btm 50% in PA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 6-9% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School's student population of 581 students has declined by 41% over five school years.
The teacher population of 42 teachers has declined by 31% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
581 students
Total Classroom Teachers
42 teachers
Year Founded
1937
School Calendar
School Motto
ENTER TO LEARN, GO FORTH TO SERVE!
School Rankings
Dobbins Area Vocational-technical 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 Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School is 0.20, 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
#2598 out of 2733 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
6-9%
57%
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
5%
Hispanic
8%
16%
Black
89%
14%
White
1%
60%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
75-79%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
59%
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School's ranking?
Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School is ranked #2598 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School often compared to?
Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Randolph A. Philip Area Vocational-technical High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% 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 Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School?
The graduation rate of Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School is 75-79%, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School?
581 students attend Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
89% of Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School students are Black, 8% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School?
Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School offer ?
Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School part of?
Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School is part of Philadelphia City School District.
In what neighborhood is Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School located?
Dobbins Area Vocational-technical High School is located in the North Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. There are 106 other public schools located in North Philadelphia.
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