Founded in 1999
The Pacs Pledge
As a PACS student,
I pledge to participate in daily activities with a positive attitude.
Accept responsibility for my actions.
Continue to do my best and follow the Code of Conduct.
Start and end each day with a smile.
Philadelphia Academy Charter School was founded in 1999 and serves a Kindergarten through 8th grade student body. Our population of students encompasses all levels of learners, and PACS is continually evolving to address the needs of each of our students through data-driven instruction and ongoing communication between students, parents, teachers, and administration. Our teachers are committed to challenging students daily to work toward their highest level of potential.
PACS strives to stay on top of the rapidly expanding world of technology. Students are engaged in learning via Apple TV’s, smartboards, and 1:1 computer technology, as well as computer labs and iPad carts for each community. Our expectation is for all students to challenge themselves to reach higher levels, and academic rigor is our foundation for learning.
Philadelphia Academy Primary offers a full-day Kindergarten, reduced class size, early intervention, advanced technology and center-based learning with a focus in literacy and math. Literacy instruction focuses on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, writing, vocabulary development and comprehension. Our math program offers hands-on experiences for real life situations. Our students also receive instruction in Art, Dance, Gym, Library, and Technology.
Philadelphia Academy Intermediate offers small class size, advanced technology and center-based learning with a focus in literacy, math, social studies and science. Literacy instruction focuses on developing a strong vocabulary with fluent readers who can comprehend and apply a variety of reading skills and strategies. Using Bloom’s taxonomy of higher level thinking, we challenge our students to interpret, analyze and compare and contrast fictional and nonfictional text. Writing is intertwined throughout, concentrating on sound organization, ideas, voice, word choice, sentence fluency and conventions. Our social studies and science programs further develop our students’ nonfiction sense with role playing, explorations and hands-on activities that encourage cooperative learning. The Everyday Mathematics program offers concrete experiences for real life situations that promote problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration covering the following Assessment Anchors: Numbers and Operations, Measurement, Geometry, Algebraic Concepts and Data Analysis and Probability. Monitoring our students’ progress through DIBELS (3rd grade only) and the 4Sight Benchmark Assessment helps our teachers identify strengths and weaknesses to better prepare our students for our yearly state assessments: PSSA Reading & Math, PSSA Writing (Grade 5 only), PSSA Science (4th grade only). Ultimately, our teachers create environments in which our students become independent, responsible learners who are equipped with the necessary tools to be successful in the middle school.
Philadelphia Academy Middle School offers advanced technology, accelerated math and reading classes as well as targeted instruction and intervention to ensure success for all students with a focus on literacy, math, social studies and science. Students complete their PACS years with continued instruction in music, art and physical education. All students in grades 3 through 8 are invited to participate in our highly successful annual school play. Our reading and writing program challenges students to interpret, analyze, compare and contrast fictional and nonfictional text. Students demonstrate a variety of writing styles concentrating on building vocabulary, developing thesis statements and exploring the writing process. Critical thinking skills are developed through the use of novels and the Prentice Hall Literature Series. Our science program consists of hands-on learning in the classroom as well as weekly experiments in our science lab. Students develop algebraic and geometric skills and concepts throughout middle school culminating in both pre-algebra and algebra courses in 8th grade. In social studies, students explore cultures around the world and relive United States history with highly interactive programs. Ultimately, our teachers create environments in which our students graduate as independent, responsible learners who are well-equipped with the necessary tools to continue their success in high school.
Philadelphia Academy Charter School provides instruction in creative and performing arts, technology, and physical education in an effort to complete our students’ education.
All students from Kindergarten to 8th grade attend multifaceted art classes that feature a variety of techniques, styles and media.
Classroom music instruction in grade K 3-8 allows students to develop their listening skills, read music and perform vocal and instrumental music from many different time periods and cultures. Students in grades K-4 take dance classes to develop kinesthetic awareness and coordination. Media classes in grades K-5 expose students to computer technology and library. Technology classes in grades 6-8 give students needed skills in many relevant computer applications. Physical Education classes are offered in all grades K-8 allowing students to develop coordination, build teamwork, and develop skills to help them maintain a physically active and healthful life. Health is offered in grades 5-8.
Through our 21st Century grant, PACS offers a variety of academic and enrichment programs. For all programs, students enjoy a snack and water provided by the school and homework help. The following programs will be offered: focused remedial work in the areas of English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics for grades 1-8, Lego Robotics for grades 4-8, Yoga, which is designed for our students with special needs that spans multiple grades, Swimming for grades 4-8, an art program for grade 3 and mural arts for grade 8.
Students at PACS have the opportunity to participate in musical theatre productions appropriate for their grade level. Through these productions, students gain self-confidence, skills in music and theatre techniques and learn how hard work pays off to produce a great end result!
Students in grades 1 & 2 practice after school to perform a 30 minute musical play each fall. Students are given the opportunity to audition for small speaking or solo parts. All students who participate dance in a group, and sing with the full cast in the chorus. Typically, 60-70 students participate in this musical each year.
Students in grades 3-8 are welcome to audition for the spring musical each year. They may choose to be a part of the chorus, or audition for a speaking or singing role, as well as featured dance parts. In the past, our productions have exposed students to historical musicals such as “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Guys & Dolls” as well as more modern musicals, like “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” and “Suessical”. Main parts are double cast as to give more students opportunities to develop their talents. Through working as a member of the stage crew, an usher, or being on stage as an actor, around 150 students participate in the 3-8 musical each year.
Student Council is a wonderful way for students at Philadelphia Academy Charter to become more involved in their school. These students work hard to ensure that every student has a voice and concerns are communicated to administration. Student Council is composed of students in sixth to eighth grade. This 16 member group works diligently to promote unity among the student body and increase awareness of global concerns. Student Council has been actively involved in fundraising for charities such as Aid for Friends, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Participants meet monthly to share ideas about how to best meet the needs of our students. These meetings offer opportunities for students to gain valuable skills in the areas of leadership, collaboration, problem solving and responsibility.
Grade School Resources
Grade School Dress Code Policy
Grade School Homeless/Displaced Student Handbook
Click forComprehensive Plan
Philadelphia Academy Charter School’s Comprehensive Plan was developed through the collaborative efforts of the planning committee, which was comprised of administrators, teachers, parents, and community members. The Comprehensive Plan contains goals, strategies, and action plans that will guide the district through the next three years. If you have any suggestions for the Comprehensive Plans, please contact Megan Simmons, at 215-673-3990, or by email at [email protected].
Notification of Rights under FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), a federal law, affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records – Please download the file Current FERPA for more information regarding these rights.
The Charter School recognizes the need to protect the privacy rights of its students. The Charter School will adhere to the provisions of state and federal law pertaining to those privacy rights, including but not limited to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (“FERPA”), as amended, and its accompanying regulations; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”), as amended, and its implementing regulations; the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949, and Chapter 12 of the Pennsylvania Administrative Code containing the regulations of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. The CEO of the Charter School is designated as the Administrator responsible for the maintenance, access and release of student records and the maintenance, access and release of academic records.
Parents and eligible students shall be notified annually of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (“FERPA”). The notice must inform parents of students currently in attendance, or eligible students currently in attendance, of their
rights under the Act and this part.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), a federal law, affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records – Please download the file Current FERPA for more information regarding these rights.