The Notebook

Stories tagged: alternative schools

9th grade is still where most fall off track

by Paul Jablow Posted in April 2013 Edition | Permalink

Sheila Hernandez was 15 when she quit Frankford High School in the 9th grade. There was a lot of fighting in the school, and Hernandez, a slight girl with her hair cut short, was also bullied over her appearance.

Philadelphia's portfolio of schools

Posted in October 2012 Edition | Permalink

Comments (1)

Former DVHS students facing big changes

Submitted by thenotebook on Fri, 08/31/2012 - 17:05 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

By Benjamin Herold
for NewsWorks, a Notebook news partner

The 500 Philadelphia students who expected to attend one of the two alternative education programs previously run by troubled Delaware Valley High School are in for a big change when school starts.

SRC adopts revised student code of conduct

Submitted by Dale Mezzacappa on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 10:43 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

The School Reform Commission voted Thursday evening to adopt a revised code of conduct that gives principals more discretion in handling disciplinary cases and prevents some infractions from being punished by out-of-school suspensions.

What was the best part of your week?

Submitted by Erika Owens on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 15:31 | Permalink

We just finished a momentous week, and have spring break next week. Looking back, what was the best thing that happened to you in your classroom, at a meeting, on your commute, or in your increasingly limited downtime? Did you learn a new skill of particular interest or have a breakthrough with a student?

Devastated by job loss, Kensington now hammered by cutbacks

by Paul Jablow Posted in February 2012 Edition | Permalink

From her fifth-floor office window at the headquarters of Congreso, Cynthia Figueroa can look down at Kensington's past and see what she hopes is its future.

A block to the east, at American and Cambria Streets, an abandoned textile factory has been razed, and her Kensington-based human service organization is building an education center and charter school campus in its place.

The center will also house a branch of Harcum College, where local residents will study leadership and management, juvenile justice, human resources, and child care. It's a far cry from the factory jobs once available to anyone with a high school diploma – or perhaps with just a strong back.

Figueroa, president and CEO of Congreso, is confident that with adequate resources, Kensington's youth can be trained for the 21st century job market.

Devastada por pérdida de empleos, Kensington ahora enfrenta recortes

por Paul Jablow Posted in Febrero 2012 Edition | Permalink

Desde su oficina en el quinto piso de las oficinas centrales de Congreso, Cynthia Figueroa puede apreciar el pasado de Kensington y ver lo que ella espera para su futuro.

Un bloque al este, en la esquina de las calles American y Cambria, una abandonada fábrica de textiles ha sido demolida, y su organización de servicios humanos basada en la Kensington está construyendo un centro de educación y una escuela chárter en el lugar.

One Bright Ray graduates 62 students

Submitted by Dale Mezzacappa on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 19:21 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

Last Friday night, 62 students from what had been Fairhill Community High School and North Philadelphia Community High School received diplomas at a ceremony that celebrated resilience and second chances.

Youth United for Change wins national honor

Submitted by Dale Mezzacappa on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 13:08 Posted in Latest news | Permalink

Youth United for Change, a local nonprofit organizing group, is due to receive an award for youth activism at the “Hot Schott Awards Gala” this Friday, December 9, during the three-day National Opportunity to Learn Education Summit in Washington, DC.

Youth-organized campaign helps save accelerated schools

by Jeniffer Valdez Posted in October 2011 Edition | Permalink

Members of Youth United for Change (YUC) were among the many youth who rallied and pushed for the District to maintain its 13 accelerated schools – and they were successful.

The schools – which serve mostly over-age, undercredited students looking to get re-engaged and graduate – were put on the District's chopping block in May to help close a $629 million budget gap. District officials instead proposed creating five regional centers, but the alternative was unpopular.