As part of the Renaissance Schools Initiative, Martin Luther King High School will become a Promise Academy for the 2011-12 school year, the School District of Philadelphia announced today.
In an 8-1 vote, the School Advisory Council (SAC) recommended this option to Superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman and the SRC after two turnaround providers slated for King, as part of the Renaissance match process, withdrew from the process.
As a Promise Academy, King will continue to be managed by the District and will have a longer school day, Saturday classes twice a month for academic enrichment and intervention, family field trips once a month, and a summer academy which extends the school year. The Promise Academy school culture centers on high expectations for all, with college and university matriculation as the future path intended for every student.
“After evaluating the options for the future of our school, the SAC is confident that the Promise Academy model is one that can dramatically improve King and set our children up for success after high school,” said Conchevia Washington, chairperson of the SAC. “Throughout this process the SAC has been driven by the need to create an educational environment that would best benefit our students.”
In the weeks ahead, the District will provide information to parents, students, staff and the community about the changes that they can expect for next year.
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