Len Lipkin

Pew Reports: Charters Booming, But Parents Want More School Choice

In a study released today, Pew Charitable Trusts found that more and more parents are sending their children to charter schools, but even with the huge increase in charter school enrollment (170%), many families (72%) say city parents actually need more good choices than currently exist.  The losers?  Public schools, because the increased free choices have drawn more students away, and Catholic Schools,...

Len Lipkin

Beyond the Usual Suspects

When I talk to other parents about Philadelphia public elementary schools, inevitably the same handful of schools are of interest to them.  In no particular order, they are Penn Alexander (West Philly), Greenfield (Center City), and Meredith (Queen Village).  Then there are the popular charter schools like Independence Charter (Center City), Russell Byers Charter (Center City), and Green Woods Charter...

Len Lipkin

School Choice Influenced by… the Movies?

Two films will be coming out over the next several months that will put my school search into a much broader perspective. The first is a documentary called “The Lottery” (out now in limited release, not sure of the Philadelphia release) In a country where 58% of African American 4th graders are functionally illiterate, The Lottery uncovers the failures of the traditional public school system...