What is the name of the elementary school that is run by Penn and what area of University City do you have to live in to send you child there?

Sadie Alexander


http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/school...er/for-parents
http://www.phillyblog.com/philly/showthread.php?t=16492

You know this thing has a search function right? Its right on the top of the screen.

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Just to clarify - The Penn Alexander School is not run by Penn. It is a Penn partnership school with the Philadelphia Public School District. Penn contributes an additional $1000 per student to keep the teacher student ratio low. They also provide signficant resources in terms of student teachers, teacher development, etc. My son just finished 3rd grade at PAS after being in a private school PK-2nd, feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

We are seriously considering moving to Spruce Hill so our now 1 year old can attend Penn Alexander once she is 5 ears old and then having her apply to get into Masterman once she is in 5th grade.

We live in Center City and our neighborhood school is Greenfield.

Anyone else considering the same thing?

Our other options are to move to Lower Merion for the great public schools or buy a smaller house in CC and sending out child to Friends Select until 5th grade.

The Lower Merion option isn't all that appealing to me because of the lack of diversity in Lower Merion. Our child is of mixed race of Caucasian and Asian and I just think a city public or private school will be better for her emotional development. I say this because although I've never experienced overt racism in my personal and professional life, I am aware of terribly racist people. Before Lower Merion residents write me angry replies, I want to add, the terribly racist people that I know do not live in Lower Merion, they are mostly part of my spouse's family who is having a hard time accepting now WASPs into their lives. I guess it is just the fear of the unknown...

Any thoughts on the direction of the quality of Penn Alexander School is appreciated!

I think PAS is an excellent public school and the trend only appears to be improving on most fronts. You can check out GreatSchools.com to see the latest test scores. I just saw the most recent results were posted. We ranked number 1 in the city in reading and 9th in math. I think the 3rd graders scores are most impressive with almost 100% proficient or advanced in reading and math. I don't worry at all about the school's performance when it comes to teaching the children.

My concerns are generally around the issues that impact the school because it is part of the Philadelphia School District. While we have Penn's subsidy and the beautiful facility, PAS isn't immune to the challenges of the PSD. We lost our art teacher this year due to budget constraints and I think its a challenge for the school to offer all that the parent's want for their child's education with the current budget.

As for diversity, I don't think you could find a more diverse school. I encourage you to check out the school during one of the monthly open houses and see for yourself while walking around. Every time we have a school event such as the musical or winter concert, I'm always struck by the diversity of the school on all levels - racial, socio-economic and internationally.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

I thought it was 5K per child but I guess I am wrong because Orangina seems to be an expert and old timer in the Spruce Hill area.

Also, what are the chances Penn will seize funding PAS after 2011?

We visited the school in November of 2007. It was clean but the kids on their musical instruments played out of tune and the teacher too, played out of tune and were one decimal short of yelling the students! I am a trained pianest and so it was particularly painful to imagine my child having to listen to noise all day long because the school uses the atrium for lessons and for student musical instrument practice.

Also, one of the rooms was incredibly hot and when we ask why the school doesn't open a window for the kids the reply was well, that's just one of the defects of the building.

Don't get me wrong, I want to like the school and we are committed to the neighborhood as we just purchased a house within the catchment this month.

like the above post states PAS is still a part of the Phila SD, it is not a music school, or a performing arts school, or even a school with a focus on arts. they don't even have an art teacher. i think there are some partnerships with local arts programs (ucity arts league, mural arts, clay mobile, visiting artists, etc) but it is a public school, and has many of the same problems and issues all Phila SD schools have.

Hoagie is right, PAS is not an Art school or Performing Arts School. I do think because this is the case, we just thought it was not the most prudent thing for PAS to show case its many music students during open houses. It would be nice too if the students who are in regular classes do not have to listen to the music students' lessons and practice during school hours. It only distracts the students.

If someone chooses to move to University City, especially Spruce Hill, as a neighbor I can assure them it's a great neighborhood. It's safe, it's lively, there are lots of shops and restaurants nearby, and the tree lined streets of grand Victorian houses makes this one of the best places to live in Philadelphia! Besides there is a lot of cultural diversity and we are so close to Center City! You are most welcome to the neighborhood.

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The Penn subsidy is $1000 per child not $5000.

Penn Alexander does have a very robust instrumental music program and just received a $150,000 grant to further enhance it and expand it to more children. The kids practice in the atrium due to lack of space to practice behind closed doors. Not that I can speak for all kids, but it many ways the kids are all use to the "music." If the teacher closes the classroom door, it can hardly be heard in the classrooms. The open house tour is intended to provide a snapshot of life at the school and kids practicing their instruments in the atrium is regular part of the school day at Penn Alexander.