The Inquirer today published a story on how the Penn Alexander School has led to a positive transformation of its university city neighborhood. As a life-long Philadelphian, I know how the area around Penn has historically been a haven for poverty and crime, and as a Penn alumnus I have personally enjoyed watching the change.
Only on the last couple of paragraphs of the article does my personal worry about choosing Penn Alexander appear.
There are about 50 kindergarten slots at Penn Alexander. Acceptance, unnervingly, is first come, first served.
Anecdotally, I have also spoken to friends in the catchment who are amazed with the recent influx of families to the catchment and wonder how the school will respond. Ummm, what if I move into the Penn Alexander catchment and thenI am unable to secure a spot for my child? It is hard to justify paying a $100K premium on a house to move into the catchment just to have to find a school elsewhere. The fact that the article was published can only lead to more interest in the school, making the admission that much more difficult. I’m not sure that I understand how a public school (albeit partially sponsored by The University of Pennsylvania and its Graduate School of Education) can be allowed to deny admission to students within its catchment. How many are turned away? What do those families do?
The responsible thing to do would be to open up more classes to meet the needs of the catchment area. Just like some schools need to close due to inadequate enrollment, some schools will need to increase the number of classes per grade to meet the needs of the communities the serve. Public schools are about meeting the educational needs of the residents, right?
As a parent in the catchment, I certainly understand the nervousness about getting your child into Kindergarten at PennA. It's worth noting that even if the worst happens – you don't get in line in time and your child does not get in – it's only a problem for one year. Yes, you'll have to find an alternative for K because it's not state-mandated and PennA is not required to take all students from the catchment who would hope to attend K at their school. As of first grade, however, PennA is legally required to take all students in the catchment. So, you haven't wasted tons of money by buying in the catchment even if your child spends their K year at Powell, or the Caring Center, or a Friends school, or wherever.
@phillymom–definitely, that's how I feel. But I do feel better given @Cate's statement, that only K has a limited enrollment. I didn't know that and it makes the possibility of moving into the P.A. catchment that much more attractive.
In all Pennsylvania public schools kindergarten enrollment can be limited because THE STATE (not city or district) does NOT mandate kindergarten. That is why many suburban districts have 1/2 day kindergarten (either morning or afternoon sessions). All public schools must take ALL children in the catchment area in grades 1-12. So,theoretically, a thousand kids could sign up for first grade at Penn Alexander, and the school would have to hire more teachers.
I wonder about this. My brother lives in New Haven and said that about 13 kids could not attend their local public school last year because there simply wasn't room. I realize New Haven is not Philly, but isn't it possible that Penn Alexander one day might not be able to accommodate all the children who live in that catchment?
Will a child currently relocating to Philadelphia
(w/in catchment) from Japan,
entering SA the 4th grade, have any trouble registering on Aug 31? What is anticipated
4th grade class size – if anyone knows?
Does SA have a website? summer reading
and fall supplies list would be helpful – but I
cannot find them – any ideas?
Thanks in advance! Hope someone can help!
I asked for reading list before looking for myself when it was right in front of me – how ridiculous!
There are typos on the reading list tho' – rather serious ones
Sill wondering about class size and if there is a possibility of a child living in the catchment NOT being able to register (after req. documents are produced satisfactorily)
Thanks again
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it's time Penn Alexander clearly stated what laws they are or aren't subject to, and what their long-term plans wrt increased demand
public schools within Philly are required to take all students within their catchment (1 – 12) – regardless of when they show up to register. That is why some schools end up with too-large class size after school actually begins (for instance, by June pre-registration yields only 15 catchment kids for a 1st grade class so during the summer the school fills the remaining 5 spots with transfers, resulting in a reasonable class size for 1st grade – then 6 more catchment kids register in late August/early September resulting in a too-big 1st grade class of 26).
We are planning to move to Philly in August and were looking for places in University City, but Penn Alexander told us that it would not have room for our son in first grade and he could not enroll because they already have too may families on their wait list who could not get into the school in kindergarten. Does anyone know what public school options a kid in the Penn Alexander catchment has if denied admission to Penn Alexander? Thanks!
Melinda, I'm not sure that I understand that. It is my understanding that a school is obligated to take all post-kindergarten students in their catchment. I am not sure about how long you have to have lived in catchment, though. Are you sure that the house that you are looking at is in catchment? I would post your question on the email group listed below under "useful resources"–West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools. Someone there would probably be able to give you sound advice.
Henry Lea School 47th and Locust Sts. My Son goes there and it is great.
Iam a Penn Alexander parent. My child was in an overcrowded 1st grade classroom this year. The classes–all classes– have been capped for the future. This is a new policy going into effect for 2011-2012. Many people will not get off the first grade wait list. Yes, it is a neighborhood school but they are only required to accept students up to capacity.. A building cannot hold more kids than it can hold and the classrooms at PAS are smaller than in other schools in the district. People moving to West Philly for the school should think long and hard. I have lived in the neighborhood since before the school was built, have a child enrolled currently, and am already quite concerned that my infant may not get in when the time comes. Time to focus on improving other public schools, in West Philly and elsewhere.
Oh, I forgot to mention there were 33 kids in my daughter's 1st grade class this year in a classroom that is much smaller than average.
Aren, could you or someone else point us to where this new policy (capping the upper grades at PAS) been posted? I've heard it mentioned by others, but never seen any official word. Thanks!
Aren, could you or someone else point us to where this new policy (capping the upper grades at PAS) been posted? I've heard it mentioned by others, but never seen any official word. Thanks!
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Are the kids that are currently enrollef in Pre-k guaratnee a spot in Penn Alexander ?
West Philly parents: Do yourself a favor and check out Henry Lea School om 47th and Locust Sts as an option to Sadie Alexander and the private schools.. My Son attends Lea and it is great. 21 students in his 3rd grade class. No wait list. Competent teachers. Wonderful students. .