More than 600 School District of Philadelphia employees gathered for the first annual Accelerate Philly awards at Martin Luther King High School on April 5, 2024. The ceremony celebrated both excellence and improvement across various academic and professional metrics aligned to the Board of Education’s Goals and Guardrails, and the strategic priorities outlined in the District’s five-year strategic plan, Accelerate Philly.
“These awards recognize the hard work and dedication of our school-based staff and I applaud their accomplishments as we work to accelerate academic achievement to make Philadelphia the fastest improving, large urban school district and prepare all students to realize any future they desire,” said Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D., superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia.
In the 2022-2023 school year, the District noted promising improvements as the District increased student and teacher attendance; as well as reduced the number of dropouts and increased the graduation rate. Additionally, the District also achieved modest academic improvement in 13 out of 17 of the K-12 tested areas on state exams. In February 2024, the District announced that it is outpacing other large urban districts nationwide, and similar-sized districts in Pennsylvania, in recovering from the pandemic.
Based on data from the 2022-2023 school year, schools were honored in their respective categories:
PSSA Math:
Highest increase in proficiency:
- Henry H. Houston
- Horatio B. Hackett
- Middle Years Alternative
Highest in proficiency:
- Albert M. Greenfield
- Abram S. Jenks
- CCA Baldi
PSSA ELA:
Highest increase in proficiency:
- George W. Sharswood
- Stephen Girard
Highest in proficiency:
- Albert M. Greenfield
- Anne Frank
- CCA Baldi
Third grade PSSA ELA:
Highest increase in proficiency:
- Laura W. Waring
- Julia W. Howe
Highest in proficiency:
- William M. Meredith
- Horatio B. Hackett
Biology Keystone :
Highest increase in proficiency:
- John Bartram
- Overbrook
- Philadelphia Virtual Academy
Highest in proficiency:
- Central
- Julia R. Masterman
- Science Leadership Academy
Algebra I Keystone:
Highest increase in proficiency:
- Martin Luther King
- Philadelphia Virtual Academy
- Strawberry Mansion
Highest in proficiency:
- Academy at Palumbo
- Central
- Julia R. Masterman
Literature Keystone:
Highest increase in proficiency:
- Kensington
- Lankenau
- Overbrook
Highest in proficiency:
- Central
- Julia R. Masterman
- Science Leadership Academy
NOCTI:
Highest increase in proficiency:
- Abraham Lincoln
- Parkway West
- West Philadelphia
Highest in proficiency:
- Franklin Learning Center
- George Washington
- Parkway West
Student Attendance:
Highest increase:
- Fitler Academics Plus
- Richard R. Wright
- William D. Kelley
Highest:
- Penn Alexander
Teacher Attendance:
Highest increase:
- Joseph H. Brown
- Mary M. Bethune
- Roberto Clemente
Highest:
- Henry A. Brown
- Parkway Center City Middle College
- Stephen Girard
- The Workshop School
Graduation & Dropout Reduction:
Largest reduction of school dropout:
- Frankford
Highest four year graduation rate:
- Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush
- Carver Engineering & Science
- Girard Academic Music Program
- Lankenau
- Parkway Northwest
More than 150 teachers across the District were also recognized for perfect attendance during the 2022-2023 school year and more than 30 school-based employees from across the District were recognized for more than 40 years of service (central office employees with 40 years of service will be recognized at a later date). The event was sponsored by the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia and Wawa, who provided goodie bags and gift cards to all attendees. The Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Phillies and Visit Philadelphia also provided raffle prizes to winners. Guests also enjoyed student performances from Overbrook High School, Frankford High School and the Carver Engineers Drumline.