Where is Bridesburg?

Bridesburg is a tight-knit, homegrown community situated along the Delaware River. It is located just south of Philadelphia’s Northeast region. The neighborhood has a strong history, culture, and identity that are often passed down from generation to generation. The 19137 zip code, of which Bridesburg is the major part, accounts for a population of 8,638 residents which is a 7% increase over the past ten years. Population trends based off of information from the 2000 and 2010 Census data studies show that Bridesburg has experienced a significant amount of growth. The “under 5 years old” population group has increased by 21.8% in the last decade; while the “5 to 9 years old” population group has increased by 2.7%. In addition, the “20-34 years old” population group, which would account for the highest number of new births in the neighborhood, has increased by a combined total of 72.2% in the past decade. These population increases show that the numbers needed to support a quality, public Middle School in Bridesburg are available.

2000 to 2010 Census Comparison for ZIP Code 191372000 2010 % Change

Total population 8,069 8,638 7.05%Under 5 years 449 547 21.83%5 to 9 years 551 566 2.72%10 to 14 years 635 590 -7.09%15 to 19 years 539 590 9.46%20 to 24 years 469 586 24.95%25 to 29 years 489 658 34.56%30 to 34 years 558 629 12.72%

Bridesburg Census Data

What is Bridesburg Elementary?

Bridesburg Elementary is a public elementary school that services students from grades Kindergarten through 5th. The school currently has 403 students enrolled in their program. The integrity of a school and the richness of its academic rigor are measured by annual PSSA test scores. The PSSA is administered in Reading and Math in grades 3, 4, 5,6,7,8 and 11. The top two performance levels measured by the PSSA test are “proficient” and “advanced.” The amount of students as related to the whole student body of a school that score in the “proficient” or “advanced” categories determines if a school makes AYP (adequate yearly progress.) These labels and benchmarks are healthy indicators for both school officials and parents that a school is providing high quality education. Bridesburg Elementary has CONSISTENTLY made AYP for the past 9 years.

Bridesburg Elementary

2011/12 Made AYP

2010/11 Made AYP

2009/10 Made AYP

2008/09 Made AYP

2007/08 Made AYP

2006/07 Made AYP

2005/06 Made AYP

2004/05 Made AYP

2003/04 Made AYP

Bridesburg AYP Data Page 9

In terms of comparison between Bridesburg Elementary and the School District of Philadelphia average for students at “proficient” and/or “advanced”, Bridesburg Elementary has CONSISTENTLY outperformed other district schools by as much as 57%. The following data tables break down these performance comparisons.

PSSA Grade 3 MathYear Bridesburg % SDP Average % % Greater2005-2006 93 59 57.60%2006-2007 86.3 52.4 39.20%2007-2008 82.1 55.3 32.60%2008-2009 86.7 59.5 31.30%2009-2010 96.1 66.5 30.80%2010-2011 87.1 66.8 23.30%2011-2012 81.4 49.4 39.30%

PSSA Grade 3 ReadingYear Bridesburg % SDP Average % % Greater2005-2006 84 42 50%2006-2007 72.8 46.6 35.90%2007-2008 80.8 52.1 35.50%2008-2009 80 54 32.50%2009-2010 81.9 52.6 35.70%2010-2011 81.5 58.3 28.40%2011-2012 74.3 44.6 39.90%

PSSA Grade 4 MathYear Bridesburg % SDP Average % % Greater2005-2006 93.3 51.3 45%2006-2007 81.2 53 34.70%2007-2008 86.8 55.2 36.40%2008-2009 85.6 61.2 28.50%2009-2010 91.9 66.1 28%2010-2011 93 68.2 26.60%2011-2012 66.7 55.9 16%

PSSA Grade 4 ReadingYear Bridesburg % SDP Average % % Greater2005-2006 76 36.1 52.50%2006-2007 73.9 42.8 42%2007-2008 67.1 42.8 36.20%2008-2009 64.5 47.3 26.60%2009-2010 75.8 49.5 34.60%2010-2011 66.2 51.7 21.90%2011-2012 56.2 41.8 25.60%

PSSA Grade 5 MathYear Bridesburg % SDP Average % % Greater2005-2006 81.7 41.6 49%2006-2007 86.1 44.7 48%2007-2008 86.9 49.7 42.80%2008-2009 85.3 52.4 38.50%2009-2010 77.7 52.3 32.60%2010-2011 76.3 56.5 25.90%2011-2012 55.5 45.1 18.70%

PSSA Grade 5 ReadingYear Bridesburg % SDP Average % % Greater2005-2006 61.9 31.6 48.90%2006-2007 75 31.9 57.40%2007-2008 67.2 36.3 45.90%2008-2009 55.8 40 28.30%2009-2010 57.4 40.3 29.70%2010-2011 61 45.8 24.90%2011-2012 44.4 34.5 22.20%

Bridesburg PSSA Data

The following is a list of academic achievements and awards, both local and national, which have been awarded to Bridesburg Elementary over the past decade.

 *School District Commendation/2000*PSSA Achievement Award/2000*Performance Target Award/2000*School District Commendation/2001* PSSA Achievement Award/2001*AYP/2002*AYP/2003*National School Change Award/2003*Best practice School Award/2003*Pennsylvania Department of Education Award/2003*School District Citation/2004*AYP/2004*Best Practice School Award/2004*School District Citation For Academic Achievement/2004*PSSA Achievement Award/2004*Best Practice School Award/2005*Best Practices Award/2006*AYP/2006*AYP/2007*Best Practice School Award/2007*NCUST Finalist (top 20 schools in the United States/2008*NCUST Winner of Excellence in Education Award/2008*Best Practice School Award/2008*AYP/2008*AYP/2009*AYP/2010*AYP/2011*Member of the National Elementary Honor Society

Bridesburg School Website

Why add a Bridesburg Middle School?

To quote the website for the Philadelphia School District, the mission of the PSD is to, “…provide a high-quality education that prepares, ensures, and empowers all students to achieve their full intellectual and social potential in order to become lifelong learners and productive members of society.”1 In addition, in his recent letters to district schools about

closings, expansions, and restructurings, Superintendent William Hite said, “The [school reorganization] plan also includes recommendations for investments to improve safety, education programs and supports for students. As superintendent, my goal is to create a better-run, safer and higher-performing system of public schools in Philadelphia.”2 However, the current system of public education options after 5th grade for Bridesburg families DOES NOT align with the Superintendent’s vision. The catchment area for the 19137 zip code sets up a linear pattern for students leaving Bridesburg Elementary to be “fed” into Warren G. Harding Middle School.3 The problem that arises at this juncture is the severe drop off in high quality education and safety. Using the same source, the Philadelphia School District website and Facilities Master Plan documents, it becomes clear that there will be a severe dip in terms of academic performance once students leave Bridesburg Elementary and enter Warren G. Harding Middle School. Warren G. Harding Middle School has not made AYP a single time in the past 9 years. In fact, they have been listed as receiving “Corrective Action” since 2003/2004 and have recently been named to the 2013/2014 list of PA Failing Schools. The comparison between Harding Middle School and other Philadelphia School District schools in terms of student achieving “proficient” and/or “advanced” is a very disturbing picture. Harding performs worse than other public schools in Philadelphia at a rate that is at least 25 percent BELOW the average. In most cases, Harding is anywhere from 30-60 percent BELOW the school district average.

Harding AYP

2011/12 Corrective Action II10

2010/11 Corrective Action II9

2009/10 Corrective Action II8

2008/09 Corrective Action II7

2007/08 Corrective Action II6

2006/07 Corrective Action II5

2005/06 Corrective Action II4

2004/05 Corrective Action II3

2003/04 Corrective Action II2

Harding AYP Data page 20

PSSA Grade 6 MathYear This School % SDP Average % % Change2005-2006 19.1 40.6 -52%2006-2007 30.8 46.7 -34%2007-2008 19 49.7 -61%2008-2009 27.9 54.3 -48.60%2009-2010 19 57.2 -66.70%2010-2011 30.9 61.3 -49.50%2011-2012 20.4 52.3 -60.90%

PSSA Grade 6 ReadingYear This School % SDP Average % % Change2005-2006 17 35.6 -52.20%2006-2007 22.2 36.6 -39.30%2007-2008 13.5 40.1 -66.30%2008-2009 24.1 42.7 -43.50%2009-2010 20.6 45.2 -54.40%2010-2011 28.1 45.4 -38.10%2011-2012 26.5 42 -36.90%

PSSA Grade 7 MathYear This School % SDP Average % % Change2005-2006 28.4 39.4 -27.90%2006-2007 21.3 40.2 -47%2007-2008 29.5 48.4 -39%2008-2009 26.5 53.7 -50%2009-2010 36.6 57.1 -35.90%2010-2011 37.5 58.7 -36.10%2011-2012 39 56.2 -30.60%

PSSA Grade 7 ReadingYear This School % SDP Average % % Change2005-2006 27.5 39.4 -30.20%2006-2007 22.6 40.7 -44.40%2007-2008 32.4 47.8 -32.20%2008-2009 23.9 50.2 -52.30%2009-2010 36.3 53.3 -31.80%2010-2011 38.1 55.7 -31.50%

2011-2012 33.9 51.7 -34.40%

PSSA Grade 8 MathYear This School % SDP Average % % Change2005-2006 23.3 37 -37%2006-2007 26.5 43.9 -39.60%2007-2008 24.6 48.9 -49.60%2008-2009 32 50.6 -36.70%2009-2010 28.4 55.6 -48.90%2010-2011 42.6 57 -25.20%2011-2012 33.2 52.4 -36.60%

PSSA Grade 8 ReadingYear This School % SDP Average % % Change2005-2006 31.6 44.5 -28.90%2006-2007 33.9 49.4 -31.30%2007-2008 40.5 55.9 -27.50%2008-2009 46.6 62 -24.80%2009-2010 45.4 67 -32.20%2010-2011 44.7 62.6 -28.50%2011-2012 38.7 57.9 -33.10%

Harding PSSA Scores

The platform that Superintendent Hite is basing his education reform on is two fold. The first part is increasing high quality educational opportunities. The transition from Bridesburg Elementary to Warren G. Harding Middle School does not fulfill that promise. The second part is increasing student safety. The school climate at Harding is much different than what students are used to at Bridesburg Elementary. Citing data from the School District of Philadelphia, there were a total of 8 serious incidents at Bridesburg Elementary from 2009-2012. The number for serious incidents at Harding, which includes assault, drugs, and weapons, was 113. The data proves once again that the transition from Bridesburg Elementary to Warren G. Harding Middle School does not fulfill the promise of improving student safety.

In many neighborhoods, the alternatives to underperforming and unsafe public schools are Charter and/or Catholic schools. The community of Bridesburg has watched both of its neighborhoods Catholic schools close in the past 10 years. That option is now more costly than ever for parents since any Catholic school alternative is out of the neighborhood which results in higher tuition and transportation fare. The local Charter school options, Franklin Towne and First Philadelphia, have outrageously long waiting lines that hinder families from getting their children into those schools after 5th grade. The only option that guarantees a linear transition from K-8th in those schools is entering at Kindergarten. However, even this is not always an option. Franklin Towne Charter Elementary recently held its lottery to draw for the open Kindergarten spots for next year. Of the 350 applicants submitted, only 30 were chosen. What options do the parents have after that for enrolling their child in a high quality and safe school that will see them through from Kindergarten to 8th grade? The best option for the neighborhood and its families is to reward the academic achievements of Bridesburg Elementary by allowing them to expand by adding a Middle School.

1. School District Mission Statement

2. Superintendent Hite's Vision for Schools

3. Catchment map for 19137 zip code

Are other schools expanding in Philadelphia?

The School District of Philadelphia will see three K-6 schools and one K-5 school expand to become K-8 models. However, these schools do not align the Superintendent’s vision of, “…create[ing] a better-run, safer and higher-performing system of public schools in Philadelphia.” The 4 schools are Stearne Elementary, Comegys Elementary, Harrington Elementary, and Mitchell Elementary. Stearne has not made AYP ONCE in the past 9 years. Comegys has not made AYP since 2003/2004. Both Mitchell and Harrington were issued warnings for the 2001/2012 academic year. The only appealing number with these schools is that they are all under capacity. However, they are underperforming when measured against the

same standards that Bridesburg Elementary is held to. Furthermore, Bridesburg is currently at or over capacity. Both the need and numbers are there to support a Middle School option for Bridesburg residents.

SRC School Change Recommendations page 3

Samuel Powel Elementary School, a K-4 public school in West Philadelphia, recently received a grant in the amount of $215,000 from the Philadelphia School Partnership to develop plans to add a Middle School. Samuel Powel is a high quality option that deserves this expansion. However, when you compare Powel’s achievements with Bridesburg’s, the evidence is there to show that Bridesburg deserve the approval for expansion as well.

Bridesburg 3rd Grade Math

Powel 3rd Grade Math

Bridesburg 3rd Grade Reading

Powel 3rd

Grade Reading

Bridesburg 4th Grade Math

Powel 4th Grade Math

Bridesburg 4th Grade Reading

Powel 4th

Grade Reading

2005-2006

93 84 84 63 93.3 51.8 76 42.8

2006-2007

86.3 59.3 72.8 70.3 81.2 75 73.9 71.2

2007-2008

82.1 59.5 80.8 65.9 86.8 66.7 67.1 62.8

2008-2009

86.7 43.8 80 56.3 85.6 66.7 64.5 71.1

2009-2010

96.1 61 81.9 56.1 91.9 49 75.8 43.2

2010-2011

87.1 78.8 81.5 68.1 93 70 66.2 70

2011-2012

81.4 61.3 74.3 70.4 66.7 83.4 56.2 66.7

Bridesburg has higher percentage all 7 academic years.

Bridesburg has higher percentage all 7 academic years.

Bridesburg has higher percentage 6 out of 7 academic years.

Bridesburg has higher percentage 4 out of 7 academic years.

Out of 28 measure test scores (7 academic years multiplied by 4 grade and subject levels) Bridesburg outperformed Powel by a ratio of 24:28 or 6:7. Those types of consistent scores overwhelmingly support the idea that Bridesburg should receive the expansion approval to accept Middle School students.

How can Bridesburg Elementary expand?

In order to accommodate a Middle School expansion, Bridesburg Elementary will need additional building space. The school just completed a renovation to the existing building that added more room for the K-5th students. Therefore, an addition to that building seems farfetched. When surveying the neighborhood for possible options, one thing becomes clear: there are two abandoned Catholic schools that could accommodate the space and need for a Middle School. Of the two available choices, Saint John Cantius/PJP II appears to be the better option. The first reason is that it has been empty for the shorter period of time since it only closed its doors this past summer. The second reason is square footage of the building. According to a report from the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Property Assessment, Saint John Cantius/PJP II has a land area of 39,600 square feet. The school already has R9A zoning which is described as “single family row and twin.” The certified values for 2012 list the school as having a market value of $316,800. When the school was operating as Catholic school, it served grades K-8 with two classrooms per grade level. That accounts for a total of 19 available classrooms. In addition, the school has an established gymnasium with stage, cafeteria, kitchen, library, music room, science lab, and computer lab. The school already has an established parking space on the side for staff parking and ample school yard space around the school itself for use during lunch, recess, and physical education class. In the past 5 years, the school had restructured its parking lot to allow for early morning school drop offs to happen in a smooth and orderly fashion. These logistical figures make this site a very attractive option that is currently underutilized. By allowing this site to be used for Bridesburg Middle School, there will be a domino affect on the local economy and community. Birdesburg is already an attractive option for younger families. However, I know from speaking with parents recently that they are reluctant to enroll their children in Bridesburg Elementary because of the uncertainty that exists after 5th grade. By utilizing this site, parents will be encouraged once again to not only enroll their students at Bridesburg

Elementary but also commit to living in Bridesburg by hopefully buying a home here. The addition of a high quality and safe Middle School option for the neighborhood could also have a positive affect on the property values of homes in the neighborhood. Families that would consider moving because of a lack of school choice will now be more likely to stay. Growth within the community and into the community will be positively affected by the addition of Bridesburg Middle School. Saint John Cantius School Property Assessment

Front of Saint John Cantius/PJP II School:

Staff parking lot/Almond Street Exit of Saint John Cantius/PJP II School:

Schoolyard at Saint John Cantius/PJP II School:

Area of Schoolyard where buses and parent drop-offs/pickups would occur:

Street view from East Thompson Street of gated entrance to front of Saint John Cantius/PJP II School:

Aerial view of Saint John Cantius/PJP II property:

A. Drive way where school buses and parent drop-offs/pickups would enter.

B. Drive way where school buses and parent drop-offs/pickups would exit.

P. Staff parking lot with enter/exit driveway

The final and seemingly most important factor driving my argument is student success, achievement, and confidence as they move along on their educational journey. Recent studies from Dr. Martin West, an assistant professor of education at Harvard School of Education, make a strong case for the K-8 model. His studies focused on districts in New York and Florida but he referenced Philadelphia as a similar situation due to the size and diversity of the district. His research showed that the K-8 model increased student success because of the collaboration and linear curriculum that can be established from the beginning of a student’s entry at the Kindergarten level. And although the plan I am offering is not a traditional K-8 model in a single building, the closeness of the buildings would allow for a smoother transition from the elementary to middle school years. In addition, teachers and school administrators would be able to work in a more effective manner at planning for the transition since a large majority of students that would attend Bridesburg Middle School would be coming from Bridesburg Elementary. This trend would establish a link between the two separate buildings and establish a strong foundation that the students and staff could build upon.

K-8 Model Information