magnet schools

A student and a teacher sit at desks and talk to each other in a classroom while workbooks are open in front of them.

Diversity & Equity Diversity & Equity

Philly boosts Black and Hispanic enrollment in top schools, Chalkbeat analysis shows

The changes to selective admissions were adopted by the district last year.

By Dale Mezzacappa

Students holding protest signs stand on the steps outside Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School,

Broke in Philly Broke in Philly

Philadelphia reintroduces test score requirement for magnet admissions

Superintendent says “there is a place” for test scores in selective admissions, but that cutoff scores will be reevaluated.

By Dale Mezzacappa

An exterior shot of Julia R. Masterman High School on Spring Garden Street, with trees in the foreground.

Diversity & Equity Diversity & Equity

New Philly high school admissions process, meant to increase equity, leads to pleas for a redo

Under the lottery system, some high-achieving students have been wait-listed at all their choices, causing some parents to complain.

By Dale Mezzacappa

The exterior of Carver High School in Philadelphia, with small picnic tables in the foreground and a U.S. flag flying on a flagpole.

Diversity & Equity Diversity & Equity

Efforts to promote equity in top Philly schools could have opposite effect, parents fear

Under the new process, students enrolled at selective middle schools would not be guaranteed admission to the corresponding selective high schools

By Dale Mezzacappa

Broke in Philly Broke in Philly

Philly overhauls selective admissions policy in bid to be antiracist

Philadelphia is moving to centralize admissions to selective schools and making it more dependent on lottery.

By Dale Mezzacappa

Diversity & Equity Diversity & Equity

Philadelphia board and superintendent vow to combat racist practices in schools

By Dale Mezzacappa

black lives matter black lives matter

Masterman alumni issue demands to improve racial equity at selective school

Principal Jessica Brown responded and promised action.

By The Notebook

COVID and Schools COVID and Schools

Students, teachers, alumni march against racism in schools

Speakers focus on declining numbers of Black students at the city’s most selective magnet schools.

By The Notebook

Diversity & Equity Diversity & Equity

Black students at Central High, some faculty call for overhaul of admissions, school policies to increase equity

UPDATE: Central president Tim McKenna promises to “take action and implement the demands.” Alumni join the call to increase Black and Latinx enrollment and foster anti-racist culture at the selective high school.

By The Notebook

Charter schools Charter schools

Board supports ‘re-imagining,’ but not disbanding, school police

The members also outlined their plan of “goals and guardrails” that they say will address racist practices in the school system.

By Dale Mezzacappa

magnet schools magnet schools

For new Rhodes scholar, a journey tied — in many ways — to Philly’s school system

By Avi Wolfman-Arent WHYY

magnet schools magnet schools

Students risk a lot to buy into charismatic principal’s vision

By The Notebook

magnet schools magnet schools

Now sharing a building, 2 schools seek collaboration

After a successful battle to keep Beeber Middle School open, parents are a little uneasy that SLA@Beeber moved in, too. But the goal is mutual benefit.

By Sonia Giebel