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Founded in 2003

The Charger Creed

I am a Charger;
fearless in the face of challenge,
honest in my efforts,
and steadfast in my convictions.
Success is attainable with
determination, integrity, and honor.
I am a Charger,
I will succeed.

halls

Founded in 2003, Philadelphia Academy Charter High School serves 450 members of the community annually. Aligned with Pennsylvania State Standards our program provides students with a college-preparatory and career-ready education.

Utilizing state-of-the-art classrooms, such as a Bio-Tech STEM Lab with three aquaponics tanks and a “green” wall, multiple computer labs throughout the building, and 1:1 technology for every student, our educational philosophy is to continually inspire students through creativity, innovation, and research.

In addition to a college preparatory curriculum, Advanced Placement courses are available in US History, US Government, Calculus and Literature and Composition. A diverse range of electives provide students opportunity to personally shape their rosters, with offerings such as Robotics, Anatomy, Music, Art, Culinary, Ecology, Photography, and Graphic Arts.

Beyond academics, the high school experience at Philadelphia Academy includes extracurricular offerings in athletics, creativity, and social activities.

For the athlete, ten varsity sports compete as members of both the Philadelphia Public League, and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association: men’s and women’s teams in basketball, soccer, bowling, and golf; and baseball and softball.

The 21st Century afterschool program is always evolving to meet the needs of the students. New student-designed programs are continually being proposed and implemented. Some of the current programs include: Chess, United Nations, Mock Trial, Art, Music, Personal Finance, French, Community Service, World Views, Yearbook Committee, Gender Empowerment, Heroes Service, Fitness, Multicultural Club, and E-Gaming.

Post-secondary, we pride ourselves in the fact that 100% of our students leave Philadelphia Academy with an immediate path for the future, whether it is a career field, military service, or higher education, with approximately 85% of our graduating students choosing to pursue a college degree.

header-academic_programs

Philadelphia Academy Charter High School (PACHS) offers the following:

Mathematics

The Mathematics Department is committed to helping students become problem solvers and critical thinkers who are able to build on their knowledge of math through Algebra, Geometry and beyond. Our students will be able to use logical and abstract reasoning in real life problems, through the use of technology and in future courses in math and science. The Mathematics Department will engage students with lessons and projects that will illustrate multiple concepts and interdisciplinary interconnections with science, history, writing, art, music and technology. In order to accomplish our mission students will not only be assessed using traditional methods of testing but though, projects, homework, class work, cooperative activities, and class participation.

PACH’s Science Department will provide your students with a strong base in Environmental, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences. The goal of our program is to integrate classroom, laboratory, and field activities to build a strong foundation. Students will learn about such topics as Cellular biology, flora, fauna, human body, atomic models, chemical properties, chemical reactions, biomes, life cycles, environmental cycles, environmental threats, and physical laws (thermodynamics, relativity, force and motion).

The English Department is dedicated to student excellence in diverse fields of education. The English Department has developed a curriculum that furthers the goals of achieving this high level of comprehension and utilization in the areas of grammar, exposition, and literature. Beginning in 9th grade, students will be provided with a strong foundation in grammar, which will be reemphasized each subsequent year, becoming more challenging as they progress through school. Students will be engaged in and master the elements of rhetoric and composition, starting with the traditional five-paragraph essay and culminating in the research paper. Building on the strength of a progressive four-year textbook structure that covers such varied genres as poetry, drama, essays, fiction, and biographies, students will be exposed to some of the greatest masterpieces in World, British, and American literature via supplementary texts. All of the texts emphasize a diverse range of art and letters in genders, philosophies, religions, and ethnicities.

PACH’s Social Studies Department is committed to creating an innovative curriculum that is designed to produce well-rounded, socially aware students, equipped with real world skills that they will utilize for a lifetime. Our department will expose students to historical concepts, diverse civilizations and cultures, contemporary geography, philosophies, religions, gender roles in society, changes in government, economic theories, and race relations in society. The Social Studies Department will engage students in lessons and projects centered around literature, art, poetry, and music of the times being studied in order to create a worldly student. 
In order to accomplish our mission, it is crucial for students to become familiar with the entire world they are studying. Students will be required to read one novel per academic year (either written about or written during the time being studied) as well as complete two interdisciplinary projects (one relative to Math and Sciences and one relating to Arts and Humanities) per academic year. Students will also be required to think critically about music, art, poetry, and foods from different time periods. These requirements will make some abstract concepts of History more tangible to our students. The curriculum at Philadelphia Academy Charter stresses integrated learning, in which every subject works together to develop a unified experience, providing students with a holistic view of how each subject applies to the real world.

The Foreign Language Department is committed to creating an innovative curriculum that is designed to produce well-rounded, culturally aware students, equipped with real world skills that they will utilize for a lifetime. In the Spanish and French Departments, we advocate for an eclectic approach that focuses on language as a communicative tool and as a means to further learning via interdisciplinary thematic units. The Foreign Language program will enhance students’ language art skills, cognitive development, and multicultural awareness and will help students develop basic communicative skills in the target language.

extra

Extracurricular activities at Philadelphia Academy belong to our students. We offer a broad range of programs including National Honor Society, student government, and a community service corp. Student interest and commitment drive our programs and students partner closely with dedicated faculty moderators. Our goal is to extend learning through student participation in extracurricular programs. Students learn the importance of leading, serving, and engaging with their peers and the community through extracurricular programs.

Here are some of our extracurricular programs:

  • Environmental Club
  • Model United Nations
  • Academic Tutoring
  • Drama Club
  • Chess Club
  • Community Service Club
  • Robotics and Engineering Club
  • Student Council
  • Yearbook
  • Music Club

High School Resources

How to Order Uniforms

High School Chromebook Policy

High School Chromebook Policy Signature Pages

22-23 Driving Registration Procedures

Rising Seniors Course Selections

Rising Juniors Course Selections

Rising Sophomores Course Selections

High School Course Catalog

High School Dress Code Policy

High School Graduation Requirements

Act 26 Policy

Anti-Bully Policy

Safe2Say

Code of Conduct Policy

Truancy Policy

High 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.