The 2021 summer school program at New Foundations Charter School, a K-12 public charter school located in the Holmesburg neighborhood of Philadelphia, looked different than it had in previous years. Instead of only hosting students who were required to make-up or retake classes, the school invited students who needed additional learning support. This new summer …
School Stories
PhillyPLUS Inspires New Leaders for Upcoming School Year
“What do you want to do when [your PhillyPLUS principal fellowship] is over?” This was one of many important questions Kate Davis was asked by her PhillyPLUS leadership coach before she started her principal fellowship a few years ago, and she remembers being unsure about how to answer. “I said ‘I think I want …
In 1st Year, KIPP North Doubles Students on Grade Level in Math and Reading
At the core of a successful school is a strong, proven leader who sets high expectations for all of their students and staff. In 2018, PSP awarded the KIPP network a $945,000 startup grant to open a new charter school, KIPP North Philadelphia Academy, for the 2018-19 school year. KIPP North, led by Principal …
Drexel Partnership Prepares Undergraduate Students for Teaching Careers
Like many high school graduates, Melissa Comunale went to college to pursue a degree in a subject that she thought would be her career, but she quickly realized the degree path she was on wasn’t her passion. Melissa changed her major to general studies and decided to explore the teaching field after hearing about the …
Mastery Prep Elementary Creates an Immersive Learning Experience
Walk in to Mastery Prep Elementary School on any school day at 11:30 a.m. and you’ll be greeted by the sounds of students playing African drums, doing karate or yoga, cooking, working in the school’s clay studio or playing sports. Mastery Prep Elementary Principal Ray Fields, 2018 Neubauer Fellow and former founding principal of Mastery’s …
School Spotlight: Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School
“From their very first day at Cristo Rey, our goal was to encourage and support these students, helping them grow and learn, with the ultimate goal of being accepted into college and achieving a bachelor’s degree,” said college counselor Jared Epler. Cristo Rey Philadelphia opened its doors to its first 9th grade class on …
Technically Philly: These high schoolers scanned Mayor Kenney and then 3D-printed him
Kudos to the high schoolers at MaST Community Charter School for the realistic reproduction. Mayor Kenney is upfront about not being tech savvy. But he’s certainly down to learn. Case in point: He let the high schoolers at the Northeast’s MaST Community Charter School scan him and 3D-print him at the school’s makerspace last June. We spotted the …
School Spotlight: The City School
The City School is a K-12 Christian school serving over 300 students across three campuses in Philadelphia. The school started in 1978 as a single campus and grew over time through the mergers of Spruce Hill Christian School, City Center Academy and Philadelphia Mennonite High School. City School campuses span the city from West Philadelphia …
School spotlight: The Academies at Roxborough High School
Located on Ridge Avenue in the heart of the Roxborough section of Philadelphia, The Academies at Roxborough High School offers programs and learning opportunities that promote academic achievement and personal growth for all students. Under the visionary leadership of Principal Dana Jenkins, a 2015 Lindback Award winner for Distinguished Principal Leadership, the school is poised …
Graduates of new principal training program are transforming local schools
Recent studies on school principal turnover have found that “full-time job-embedded internships” show the most promise in developing school leaders who are not only prepared for the job but are committed to staying at their school for at least five years – the time needed to create long-lasting changes. The Philadelphia Pathway to Leadership in …