Progress report: Philadelphia Academy Charter makes grade
NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Educators at Philadelphia Academy Charter School screamed with joy Thursday after the Northeast school received a good grade on a recent progress report.
Officials say the report is designed to measure performance growth of Philadelphia public schools including charters.
The charter school also received a model "rating."
"First is giving the staff the autonomy to teach in the way that they see fit by providing them with great materials to do their jobs effectively," said Allyssa Schmitt, principal.
The school district formulates the results based on testing gains, standardized test performance, student and parent involvement and college prep.
"We basically doubled the amount of instructional time given toward math," said Schmitt. "We have built in collaborative planning time for staff where they're able to work together on grade-level goals that they have set for themselves."
CEO Anna Marie Siegmann says it's a balancing act and credits their use of funds including investments into technology.
"We are trying to provide for that child that's accelerated as well as for the child that has special needs and everything in between.
"It's excitement in the classroom. I think you really see the look on the kids' faces when that promethium board's turned on or when they're handed an iPad versus turn to workbook page 42," said Siegmann.
Murals painted by students also show the school's commitment to the arts.
With school funding currently at a standstill and charters receiving 20 percent less than public schools, they are aggressive with grant writing and fundraising.
Educators at the charter school also say they are committed to using programs to make sure kids get along so school is fun.
You can find the complete progress report for the Philadelphia School District here.
