Elementary Schools
Albert M. Greenfield Elementary School
Greenfield is a K-8 public school located in Center City Philadelphia. Featured in Philadelphia Magazine in September 2001, Greenfield enjoys a reputation for academic excellence. [more]
Christopher Columbus Charter School
It is the mission of the Christopher Columbus Charter School (CCCS) to provide students with a content-rich, academically rigorous Core Knowledge education with a well-defined, sequential curriculum in a safe, orderly, disciplined and caring environment. [more]
Friends Select School
An excellent academic program, a diverse community, talented faculty and the timeless values of Quakerism create unmatched opportunity for students at Friends Select, a 480-student college preparatory day school. Students experience rigorous academic programs and competitive college placement, and acquire confidence, creativity and independent thinking. [more]
Independence Charter School
Independence Charter School is a public charter school and as such is independent of the School District of Philadelphia. The school specializes in early language learning, and has an emphasis on Geography and Social Studies from the earliest grades. [more]
Masterman School (Julia R. Masterman School)
The Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School was established in September 1958 for elementary school students in grades 5 and 6. A junior high school program was initiated in 1959, and a senior high school was added in 1976. In 1990 Masterman was reorganized as a middle school (grades 5-8) and a high school (grades 9-12). [more]
McCall Elementary School
The mission of the school is that "No Child is Left Behind," and that each student works to their potential. McCall will provide all students with the educational tools needed to be productive and engaged citizens. [more]
The Philadelphia School (Preschool - 8th Grade)
Coeducational, nonsectarian independent school in Center City. The school offers a theme-based, interdisciplinary educational program to 356 students in preschool through eighth grade. [more]
Russell Byers Charter School
In September 2001, the Russell Byers Charter School opened with 160 students in 4-year-old Kindergarten (4K)-2nd grades. Since its inception, one of the school's unique features is a separate full-day Kindergarten (4K) for 4-year-olds and another for 5-year-olds (5K) - one of the few kindergarten programs of its kind in Philadelphia. [more]
St. Mary Interparochial School
St. Mary Interparochial School, founded in 1782, is a Catholic elementary school of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, serving families located in and near centercity Philadelphia. St. Mary serves the students, parents, and community by providing teachers, programs, and activities that develop the religious, intellectual, personal, social, and physical potential of its students. [
more]
St. Peter's School
St. Pete'’s School (pre-school to grade 8) is an independent, multi-denominational, coeducational day school in the historic section of Philadelphia. It serves families from all parts of Philadelphia and South Jersey. [
more]
Albert M. Greenfield Elementary School
22nd and Chestnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-299-4666
Type of School
Public
Grade Levels
K-8
Principal
Dr. Ernest Angiolillo
Web
http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/schools/greenfield/
Greenfield is a K-8 public school located in Center City Philadelphia. Featured in Philadelphia Magazine in September 2001, Greenfield enjoys a reputation for academic excellence.
The school takes pride in its racially, culturally, and economically diverse student body. The curriculum follows the guidelines of the School District of Philadelphia and the State of Pennsylvania.
It is enriched by curriculum reform programs including Core Knowledge, Mathematics in Context, and Mathland. Graduates of Greenfield attend some of the most academically challenging high schools in Philadelphia.
The active and involved Home and School Association leads efforts to bring the cultural, artistic, and historical resources of the city and region to Greenfield students.
Greenfield enrolls students from all neighborhoods of Philadelphia. Students who live within the boundaries drawn by the School District must prove their address in order to register.
Students from outside the boundaries may apply to attend Greenfield through the EH-36 lottery program. This takes place in the fall of each year for enrollment the following September.
Contact the school at 215-299-4666 to arrange a visit.
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Christopher Columbus Charter
North Building
916 Christian Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-925-7400
FAX - 215-925-6851
South Building
1242 South 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-389-6000
FAX - 215-389-3374
Type of School
Public, Charter
Grade Levels
K-7
Principal
Rosemary Dougherty
Web
www.cccs.k12.pa.us
It is the mission of the Christopher Columbus Charter School (CCCS) to provide students with a content-rich, academically rigorous Core Knowledge education with a well-defined, sequential curriculum in a safe, orderly, disciplined and caring environment.
CCCS students will learn to express themselves in at least one international language, and will utilize computer technology to support learning in all major subjects and to become literate in the technologies of the 21st Century.
Applications and a photo tour of the school are available online.
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Friends Select School
17th Street and The Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Telephone: 215-561-5900
FAX: 215-864-2979
Type of School
Independent, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Grade Levels
Pre K -12
Head of School
Rose Hagan
Web
www.friends-select.org
An excellent academic program, a diverse community, talented faculty and the timeless values of Quakerism create unmatched opportunity for students at Friends Select, a 480-student college preparatory day school. Students experience rigorous academic programs and competitive college placement, and acquire confidence, creativity and independent thinking.
Excellent extended day, vacation care, and summer programs are available for families, most of whom live or work in the city. Conveniently located on the Parkway in Center City, Friends Select occupies a unique campus featuring roof-top athletic fields and tennis courts, and shares joint programs with Parkway institutions and museums.
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Independence Charter School
105 South 7th Street - 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-238-8000
FAX 215-238-1998
Type of School
Public, Charter
Grade Levels
K-6
Principal
Jurate Krokys
Web
www.independencecharter.org
Independence Charter School is a public charter school and as such is independent of the School District of Philadelphia. The school specializes in early language learning, and has an emphasis on Geography and Social Studies from the earliest grades.
Every child receives Spanish language instruction daily and there is an option for total Spanish Immersion for those parents who would like their children to emerge bilingual.
Music and Dance/Movement lessons are included in the weekly schedules of each child. A vibrant, knowledgeable staff uses best practices to create the unique, innovative Independence.
Founded by families who live locally in the Society Hill, Northern Liberties, and Queen Village area, Independence continues to be actively invigorated by family input, support, and leadership. Independence Charter School is the place for quality innovation education in a diverse urban setting. The school opened in 2001 and currently houses grades K-4. Grade 5 will be added in 2003-04 and grade 6 in 2004-05.
Applications are available at the school's website.
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Masterman School (Julia R. Masterman School)
17th & Spring Garden Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Telephone: 215-299-4661
Type of School
Public
Grade Levels
5-12
Principal
Barbara Bravo
Web
http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/schools/m/masterman
The Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School was established in September 1958 for elementary school students in grades 5 and 6. A junior high school program was initiated in 1959, and a senior high school was added in 1976. In 1990 Masterman was reorganized as a middle school (grades 5-8) and a high school (grades 9-12).
Students are admitted from all areas of Philadelphia based on academic performance, and staff members are selected based on professional expertise. The mission of the school is the pursuit of excellence in both teaching and learning. The senior high school is a small college preparatory school for selected students of superior ability.
Masterman is in the Central area of the School District of Philadelphia. There are 1,150 students enrolled in grades 5 through 12, in 36 homerooms. Masterman is in the heart of Philadelphia and is easy to get to on public transit.
Recently, Masterman was awarded a Blue Ribbon for educational excellence on the national level.
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McCall Elementary School
325 S. 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Tel: 215-351-7350
Type of School
Public
Grade Levels
K - 8
Principal
Rita Donatucci
The mission of the school is that "No Child is Left Behind," and that each student works to their potential. McCall will provide all students with the educational tools needed to be productive and engaged citizens.
The students are grouped heterogeneously. In grades 1 to 5, beginner and intermediate English to Speakers of other languages (ESL) are co-taught a portion of the day by the ESL classroom teachers. This provides a smaller ratio of teacher to students. This permits an opportunity for all ESL students to be instructed in an integrated nonrestrictive environment.
Each Small Learning Community (SLC) uses the Comprehensive Support Process (CSP) to identify and assist at-risk children. Each SLC is child centered. A portion of every SLC meeting is devoted to discussing concerns about students' progress. Special education students are mainstreamed. SLC's plan trips, assemblies, and special projects together. After analyzing data from test results, staff development is planned to meet the children's needs. Best practices are shared both informally and formally at meetings. Ventures, the CSRD grant provider, meets monthly after school with 24 teachers for professional development introducing new teaching strategies. This is followed in classroom visits to ensure the implementation.
The school functions in a participatory manner. SLC coordinators meet with the principal to develop a school plan, formulate the roster, and make sure the budget supports the educational initiatives. Parents are active partners.
All of the course work is standards-based and instructional strategies are varied. The staff has moved from the traditional classroom to the constructivist classroom where the teacher is a coach and mentor rather than a lecturer. Lessons are project-based and varied in how they are presented. All learning styles are taken into account when lessons and task are planned. Different kinds of assessments are used to help meet student needs and to drive the instructional program.
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The Philadelphia School
2501 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-545-5323
Type of School
Nonsectarian, independent
Grade Levels
Preschool - 8th Grade
Principal
Sandra Dean
Web Site
http://www.tpschool.org/
The Philadelphia School is a coeducational, nonsectarian independent school in Center City. The school offers a theme-based, interdisciplinary educational program to 356 students in preschool through eighth grade.
At the Philadelphia School the aim is to create an environment in which students will develop a love of learning that will remain with them throughout their lives. The school makes frequent use of the resources of the city, and students regularly experience a greener, less urban world at a nearby environmental center.
In the tradition of progressive education, the schools individualized approach to learning addresses developmental issues: how a child grows intellectually, emotionally, morally, socially, creatively, and physically. The school maintains the highest academic standards and is responsive to new developments in education.
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Russell Byers Charter School
1911 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Tel: 215-972-1700
FAX: 215-972-1701
Type of School
Public, Charter
Grade Levels
4K-4
Principal
Penny Colgan-Davis
Web
http://www.byerschool.org
In September 2001, the Russell Byers Charter School opened with 160 students in 4-year-old Kindergarten (4K)-2nd grades. Since its inception, one of the school's unique features is a separate full-day Kindergarten (4K) for 4-year-olds and another for 5-year-olds (5K) - one of the few kindergarten programs of its kind in Philadelphia.
In September 2002, 40 new 4K students joined the student body, while the school added 3rd grade and the current students moved up a level. In September 2003, the school welcomed new kindergarten students in 4K and 5K and serves a total of 280 students in grades spanning 4K-4th.
The mission of the Russell Byers Charter School is to provide children with a challenging education that cultivates self-assurance, a love of fresh ideas, and a sense of joy. Its students will become knowledgeable and responsible citizens, creative problem solvers and powerful communicators. They will gain the academic and career skills to truly make their lives and world better.
One of the school's core principles is a belief in diversity and inclusively. Acceptance of others will increase the school's richness of ideas. The school's teachers and staff will guide students with care; compassion and respect for their diverse learning styles, backgrounds and needs.
The school believes that a school that is safe, warm and welcoming; that values curiosity and critical thinking; that challenges students to meet demanding academic standards but shows respect for diverse learning styles is a school that will foster a love of learning, a sense of joy and give each child the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed.
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St. Mary Interparochial School
5th and Locust Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-923-7522
FAX 215-923-8502
Type of School
Private, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Grade Levels
K - 8
Principal
Jeanne M. Meredith
St. Mary Interparochial School, founded in 1782, is a Catholic elementary school of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, serving families located in and near center-city Philadelphia. St. Mary serves the students, parents, and community by providing teachers, programs, and activities that develop the religious, intellectual, personal, social, and physical potential of its students.
The school is located in Society Hill amidst Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin’s home, the Betsy Ross house, and the original sites of St. Joseph, LaSalle, and Villanova Universities.
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St. Peter's School
319 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-925-3963
FAX 215-925-3351
Type of School
Private, Independent, Multi-denominational
Grade Levels
Pre K (3 year olds) to Grade 8
Principal
David J. Costello
Web
http://st-peters-school.org/
St Peter's School (pre-school to grade 8) is an independent, multi-denominational, coeducational day school in the historic section of Philadelphia. It serves families from all parts of Philadelphia and South Jersey.
The school is distinguished by its small size – about 200 students and its commitment to civility, kindness, and excellence. St. Peter’s School, established in 1834, offers a traditional, yet innovative, curriculum including literature, mathematics, history, science, music as well as art, French, technology, and PE/sports.
Extended day programs are available.
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