Archive for the ‘Schools’ Category
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
With the School District of Philadelphia looking to close yet another yawning budget deficit, parents have begun to take matters into their own hands in order to preserve the quality of educational programs at their neighborhood schools.
The School District has cut funding for programs considered non-essential such as studio arts, performing arts and foreign languages. One group of Center City parents has taken advantage of a state tax credit program to keep art alive at their school.
That school is Albert M. Greenfield Elementary, near Fitler Square. The school’s active Home and School Association has raised private funds to paint, landscape, and improve the school’s interior and exterior spaces, so it didn’t take much to get it involved in the business of saving cherished enrichment programs.
The HSA took advantage of a state tax credit known as the Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) to do this. By establishing itself as an Educational Improvement Organization (EIO), the Greenfield HSA can receive direct donations from private companies to support programs cut by the School District outside the core curriculum. Companies can deduct the donations from their state tax bills.
The HSA did not clear the bureaucratic hurdles in time to save Greenfield’s art program this year but will be able to do so for the coming school year.
Read more about this development in the Weekly Press.
–Sandy Smith
Tags: coldwell banker preferred, noah ostroff, Philly Living, Philly Living Blog
Posted in Articles, Center City, Neighborhood Pages, Philadelphia real estate, Rittenhouse Square, Schools | No Comments »
Thursday, January 19th, 2012
According to a watchdog we watch, onetime City Controller candidate Brett Mandel, Philadelphia real estate owners may be able to slash their property tax bills by up to 44 percent, thanks to the city’s sloppy real estate assessment regime.
In his email newsletter today, Mandel reported that the Board of Revision of Taxes ruled that Philadelphia property owners who appealed their assessed valuations as too high were eligible for reductions in their tax bills. The basis for the reductions is a ruling issued last summer by a state board that reviews city and county property assessments for conformity with state guidelines. The Commonwealth requires local jurisdictions to assess property at 32 percent of market value for tax purposes, and property owners in any jurisdiction that fails to meet this standard may appeal to have their taxes based on whatever rate the state determines is the local standard. Last summer, the state board determined that Philadelphia assessed property at 18 percent of market value on average. Following state law, a number of city property owners appealed their tax bills, and today, the BRT found in their favor.
This has several ramifications for City Hall. The first has to do with plugging the hole these lower tax bills will blow in the city and School District budgets. If the ruling stands, property tax receipts will fall by up to $80 million in the coming year, a large hole for the city to fill. However, according to Mandel, the city plans to appeal the decision on the grounds that the numbers the city gave the state last year are inaccurate and that the real numbers will show the city passes the state threshold.
If the folks in City Hall are smart, though, it will also light a fire under the new Office of Property Assessment to proceed with the full reassessment of property citywide that just about everyone agrees is needed to ensure city property is fairly valued. Right now, similar properties in the same neighborhoods may vary widely in their assessments, leaving longtime owners with ridiculously low taxes while newer residents face much higher bills. Politically connected property owners have also been known to benefit from the discrepancies in local property assessments. When the BRT handled both assessments and appeals, this problem got swept under the rug, so to speak; with the separation of the asseessment function into a new city agency last year, the problem can no longer be hidden that easily. Rather than appeal a flawed system, the city should take the opportunity to put an accurate and fair assessment system in place before more taxpayers get their bills lowered.
–By Sandy Smith
Tags: coldwell banker preferred, living in philly, noah ostroff, Philly Living Blog, property taxes
Posted in Articles, Buying a Home, Center City, Philadelphia real estate, Schools, Selling your home | No Comments »
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Location: 801 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Enrollment: 705 students in grades K-9 in 2010-11
Student-teacher ratio: 19.7 in 2010
Demographics: African-American, 99%; White, 0%; Asian, <1%; Latino, <1; all others, <1%. 99% of Russell Byers students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Metrics:
Attendance rate (2010-11) 94%.
PSSA performance (2011, percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced):
| Subject |
This School |
District Public Schools |
State |
| Math |
64.3% |
58.6% |
77.1% |
| Reading |
60.3% |
52.0% |
73.5% |
| Science |
48.6% |
34.8% |
60.9% |
| Writing |
69.4% |
51.2% |
75.0% |
Profile: The Universal Institute Charter School’s curriculum is based on the School District of Philadelphia’s Core Curriculum, employs a project-based approach to learning and emphasizes career readiness, civic responsibility and community involvement. UICS uses the “School to Career” model to structure its instructional program; the model is a K-12 program that is designed “to prepare students for success in the world of work, further education, employment, enterpreneurship and/or service to the community.” UICS also draws on community resources and institutions in its Graduate Hospital-area neighborhood to enrich its offerings.
Tags: 19146, best places to live, education, graduate hospital area schools, living in philly, philadelphia charter schools, philadelphia real estate, philadelphia schools, schools in 19146
Posted in Articles, Buying a Home, Center City, Graduate Hospital, Schools | No Comments »
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Location: 1911 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Enrollment: 418 students in grades preK-6 in 2010-11
Student-teacher ratio: 16.0 in 2010
Demographics: African-American, 81.8%; White, 11.5%; Asian, 2.4%; Latino, 3.8%; all others, 0%. 67% of Russell Byers students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Metrics:
Attendance rate (2010-11) 91%.
PSSA performance (2011, percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced):
| Subject |
This School |
District Public Schools |
State |
| Math |
71.0% |
58.6% |
77.1% |
| Reading |
65.1% |
52.0% |
73.5% |
| Science |
70.2% |
34.8% |
60.9% |
| Writing |
84.8% |
51.2% |
75.0% |
Profile: Founded in 2001 to honor the memory of the Philadelphia Daily News columnist who passionately championed both his hometown of Philadelphia and better public education, Russell Byers Charter School is the only school in the state to adopt the Expeditionary Learning Schools model of instruction, which emphasizes learning by doing, teamwork, discovery and accountability. The model sets high expectations for students, teachers and school staff and builds character as students engage in collaborative projects that engage them with not only subject matter but the world around them. Spanish language instruction is an integral part of the curriculum as well.
Tags: 19103, best places to live, education, living in philly, philadelphia real estate, philadelphia schools, schools in philadelphia
Posted in Articles, Buying a Home, Center City, Logan Square, Neighborhood Pages, Schools | No Comments »
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Location: 800 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Enrollment: 540 students in grades K-8 in 2009-10
Student-teacher ratio: 13.3 in 2010
Demographics: African-American, 96.4%; White, 0.3%; Asian, 0%; Latino, 2.8%; all others, 0%. 85% of People for People students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Metrics:
Attendance rate (2010-11) 91%.
PSSA performance (2011, percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced):
| Subject |
This School |
District Public Schools |
State |
| Math |
63.5% |
58.6% |
77.1% |
| Reading |
54.4% |
52.0% |
73.5% |
| Science |
23.5% |
34.8% |
60.9% |
| Writing |
76.0% |
51.2% |
75.0% |
Profile: People for People Charter School is affiliated with the community development corporation of the same name founded by Greater Exodus Baptist Church pastor Rev. Herbert H. Rusk II. The school follows the same core curriculum used in the Philadelphia public schools and prides itself on maintaining small class sizes (20 students on average) and individualized attention. Courses in enterpreneurship, a key component of People for People’s mission, are also an integral part of the school curriculum.
Tags: 19130, art museum area schools, buying a home in philadelphia, education, living in philly, philadelphia real estate, philadelphia schools, schools in 19130, schools in philadelphia
Posted in Articles, Buying a Home, Center City, Fairmount, Loft District, Neighborhood Pages, Schools | No Comments »
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Location: 447 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Enrollment: 891 students in grades 1-12 in 2010-11
Student-teacher ratio: 14.2 in 2010
Demographics: African-American, 97.6%; White, 0.4%; Asian, 0.1%; Latino, 1.5%; all others, 0.3%. 76% of Math, Civics & Sciences students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Metrics:
Attendance rate (2010-11) N/A
Graduation rate (2010-11) 100%.
PSSA performance (2011, percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced):
| Subject |
This School |
District Public Schools |
State |
| Math |
52.6% |
58.6% |
77.1% |
| Reading |
53.9% |
52.0% |
73.5% |
| Science |
53.8% |
34.8% |
60.9% |
| Writing |
72.9% |
51.2% |
75.0% |
Profile: Math, Civics & Sciences Charter School (MCSCS) is one of only a few charter schools in the city to offer instruction from grades 1 through 12 under one roof. The school’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for either college or vocational training; the overhwelming majority of graduates (97-98%) go on to two- or four-year colleges, with the remainder entering vocational schools. Civic involvement is as important a part of the educational experience at MCSCS as math and science are, as the school has as a major goal producing “good citizens through the promotion of caring, character, and community service.” Among the projects MCSCS students have engaged in over the years are voter registration, feeding the homeless, and supporting Philadelphia police officers.
Tags: 19123, buying a home in philadelphia, education, living in philly, noah ostroff, philadelphia schools, schools in 19123, schools in philadelphia
Posted in Articles, Buying a Home, Center City, Loft District, Neighborhood Pages, Schools | No Comments »
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Location: 800 N. Orianna Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 (K-8); 5901 Woodbine Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131 (K-1); 5339 Lebanon Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131 (2-8)
Enrollment: 452 students in grades K-8 in 2010-11 (all locations)
Student-teacher ratio: 12.7 in 2010
Demographics: African-American, 93.1%; White, 0.9%; Asian, 0.4%; Latino, 5.5%; all others, 0%. 42% of Laboratory students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Metrics: Attendance rate (2010-11) 96%.
PSSA performance (2011, percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced):
| Subject |
This School |
District Public Schools |
State |
| Math |
98.2% |
58.6% |
77.1% |
| Reading |
99.2% |
52.0% |
73.5% |
| Science |
96.4% |
34.8% |
60.9% |
| Writing |
98.9% |
51.2% |
75.0% |
Profile: The school’s mission statement states, “The mission of the Laboratory Charter School of Communications & Languages is to provide a comprehensive, cognitively based program that will prepare students to communicate effectively in more than one world language and to see the world from global, international and national perspectives. The school will promote: 1) excellence in oral and written communication, 2) mastery of at least two world languages, 3) familiarity with communication technologies, 4) appreciation of cultural diversity, 5) concern for international and global issues, and 6) commitment to lifelong learning. It will be characterized by excellence in teaching, instructional methodologies that connect learning to pragmatic conditions, and close cooperation among communities, parents, and teachers.” As the school has no website of its own, we could not locate additional details about the school’s course offerings or instructional program – but we believe that the PSSAs speak for themselves. The school has campuses in Northern Liberties and Wynnefield.
Tags: 19123, education, living in philly, philadelphia real estate, philadelphia schools, schools in 19131, schools in philadelphia
Posted in Articles, Buying a Home, Center City, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Philadelphia real estate, Schools | No Comments »
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Location: 1600 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Enrollment: 746 students in grades K-8 in 2010-11
Student-teacher ratio: 12.4 in 2010
Demographics: African-American, 54.4%; White, 24.5%; Asian, 3.8%; Latino, 12.9%; all others, 4.4%. 46% of Independence students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Metrics:
Attendance rate (2010-11) 96%.
PSSA performance (2011, percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced):
| Subject |
This School |
District Public Schools |
State |
| Math |
78.3% |
58.6% |
77.1% |
| Reading |
69.3% |
52.0% |
73.5% |
| Science |
69.5% |
34.8% |
60.9% |
| Writing |
81.1% |
51.2% |
75.0% |
Profile: Independence Charter School was founded in 2001 by a group of parents and community members committed to raising their children in Philadelphia. The school’s curriculum aims to produce, in the words of the school’s mission, “independent, thoughtful global citizens” by incorporating ideas and cultures of the world and second language acquisition into the curriculum. All Independence students take Spanish classes in one of two programs (enhanced or immersion) each year; starting with the sixth grade, students are introduced to Arabic as well. The school takes advantage of its Center City location near the Avenue of the Arts to incorporate the resources of the city’s many cultural institutions into its curriculum through field trips and classroom work. The school accepts students from all over the city; admission is by a blind lottery conducted each fall.
Tags: 19146, best places to live, buying a home in philadelphia, center city real estate, charter schools in philadelphia, independence charter school, living in philly, philadelphia real estate, philadelphia schools, schools in 19146, schools in graduate hospital, schools in philadelphia
Posted in Articles, Center City, Graduate Hospital, Neighborhood Pages, Philadelphia real estate, Schools | No Comments »
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Location: 1023 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Enrollment: 454 students in grades K-8 in 2010-11
Student-teacher ratio: 13.6 in 2010
Demographics: African-American, 20.9%; White, 1.3%; Asian, 70%; Latino, 3.7%; all others, 4%. 87% of Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Metrics:
Attendance rate (2010-11) 97%.
PSSA performance (2011, percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced):
| Subject |
This School |
District Public Schools |
State |
| Math |
80.9% |
58.6% |
77.1% |
| Reading |
71.0% |
52.0% |
73.5% |
| Science |
64.9% |
34.8% |
60.9% |
| Writing |
93.2% |
51.2% |
75.0% |
Profile: Located at the north edge of Chinatown, Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures Charter School (FACTS) offers a distinctive curriculum that thoroughly incorporates the cultural and artistic traditions of both its own community and cultures around the world into every aspect of learning. As part of the curriculum, all FACTS students learn Mandarin Chinese in two classes, one for native speakers and another for those new to the language. Artists from the community routinely work with students in FACTS classes to provide a learning experience that reflects the students’ own cultures and backgrounds. FACTS is the only Philadelphia school to use the math curriculum taught in Singapore schools, where students routinely place first in international math tests.
Tags: 19123, education, Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures Charter School, living in philly, philadelphia real estate, philadelphia schools, schools in 19123, schools in philadelphia
Posted in Articles, Center City, Neighborhood Pages, Northern Liberties, Old City, Schools | No Comments »
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Location: 916 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 (North Site); 1242 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 (South Site)
Enrollment: 775 students in grades K-8 in 2010-11
Student-teacher ratio: 15.3 in 2010
Demographics: African-American, 33.5%; White, 51.4%; Asian, 8.1%; Latino, 6.7%; all others, 0.3%. 66% of Christopher Columbus students came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in the 2009-10 school year.
Metrics:
Attendance rate (2010-11) 96%.
PSSA performance (2011, percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced):
| Subject |
This School |
District Public Schools |
State |
| Math |
64.5% |
58.6% |
77.1% |
| Reading |
70.8% |
52.0% |
73.5% |
| Science |
65.3% |
34.8% |
60.9% |
| Writing |
82.8% |
51.2% |
75.0% |
Profile: While the Italian-American heritage of the Christopher Columbus Charter School (CCCS) and its neighborhood is reflected in its name, the school itself reflects the increasingly diverse community that surrounds its two buildings near the Italian Market and Passyunk Square. The school’s curriculum is based on Core Knowledge principles, with a strong emphasis on language arts: students are expected to learn at least one foreign language in addition to English. Use of the latest technology is also a core component of the school’s educational program. The school’s staff and faculty have also committed themselves to providing a “safe, orderly, disciplined and caring environment” in which learning can take place. As a Title I school, CCCS offers enhanced academic support to students who are educationally at risk of failing to meet state standards for performance.
Tags: 19147, best places to live, Christopher Columbus Charter School, education, living in philly, philadelphia charter schools, philadelphia real estate, philadelphia schools, schools in philadelphia
Posted in Articles, Bella Vista, Center City, Neighborhood Pages, Pennsport, Queen Village, Schools, South Philly | No Comments »
