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 Couldn't find the answer you were looking for? Click HERE to contact Tacony Academy and have your questions answered. |
 (Return to top) What are Charter Schools? In Pennsylvania, charter schools are public schools that provide educational choice to families. Charter schools are governed by a Board of Trustees and are opened under the specific terms of a contract with the School District of Philadelphia. Charter schools are held accountable to meet the expectations of the No Child Left Behind Act. With accountability, there is autonomy and flexibility to customize an educational program to meet the specific needs of students and their families. Charter schools promote educational innovation and excellence by brining new ideas, resources, and personnel to public education. Charter schools may not discriminate in admission and students are selected by lottery. (Return to top) What is the relationship between First Philadelphia Charter School for Literacy and Tacony Academy Charter School? Since its inception in 2002, First Philadelphia Charter School was developed to be a successful model charter school which would eventually be replicated. Gerald L. Santilli, the Founder of First Philadelphia Charter School, submitted a proposal to open Tacony Academy Charter School to the School District of Philadelphia. On February 18, 2009, the School District of Philadelphia announced in a resolution their approval to grant a new charter to Tacony Academy Charter School. (Return to top) What are the names of the overcrowded Philadelphia Public Schools from which Tacony Academy Charter School will draw its student population? • Hamilton Disston Elementary School – Zip Code 19135 • Ethan Allen Elementary School – Zip Code 19149 • Gilbert Spruance Elementary School – Zip Code 19149 We are accepting applications with a preference to those students who would normally go to Northeast High School and Lincoln High School. This would be students completing eighth grade from the following Middle Schools: Spruance, Farrell, Wilson, Austin Meehan, Ziegler, Mayfair, Brown, Disston and Ethan Allen We are also accepting students who live in the above designated school areas who have attended a Parochial School, a Charter School or a Private School. (Return to top) What is the Mission of Tacony Academy Charter School? The mission of Tacony Academy Charter School is to enhance, support, and promote creative and critical thinking as well as problem solving skills of school-age learners in the making of original inventions as amazing solutions to puzzling problems while mastering Pennsylvania and national academic standards for learning. (Return to top) What are the projected grade levels for Tacony Academy Charter School? During the 2009-2010 school year Tacony Academy Charter opened with 375 children in Kindergarten, first, second, third, and fourth grades. In 2010-2011 an additional 75 children will be accepted into the Kindergarten grade. The Tacony Academy Charter Prep School will accept 100 students into its first ninth grade class. Over the next five years, the school will grow to include students in Kindergarten through the twelfth grade. (Return to top) What is the curriculum of Tacony Academy Charter School? Our instructional practice throughout every grade will highlight identifying an actual problem, how to formulate an innovative solution to the problem, creating the product/item to solve the problem and finally presenting the results and or product to the school community and beyond. The intent of Tacony Academy Charter School is to engage every student successfully in the invention process, in order to incite learning so that achievement happens. Tacony Academy Charter School plans to partner with The Academy of Applied Science, of Concord, New Hampshire. The Academy sponsors the Young Inventors’ Program an educational standards driven state approved curriculum. The Academy also provides ongoing professional development on implementing the innovative thought process in the classroom. Mentors are available through the academy to support individual teachers. Currently, the Academy of Applied Science has been partnering with over two hundred schools in New Hampshire, Nevada, Massachusetts and New York since 1985. Additionally, Tacony Academy Charter plans to use the Inventive Thinking Curriculum Project an outreach program of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This particular curriculum will enhance the instruction and learning program for our high school.
Curriculums in more detail can be found on each Grade's page. (Return to top) School Supply Lists The grade level supply lists can be found on each Grade's homepage and will help you in determining the type of supplies that are most commonly used in our classes. (Return to top) Must students wear uniforms? Yes, all students enrolled at Tacony Academy Charter School are required to wear the Board of Trustees approved dress uniform (Winter), gym uniform and Spring/Fall uniform outlined below. 
Complete Uniform Policy can be downloaded HERE.
(Return to top) What is Tacony Academy's Academic Integrity Policy? Tacony Academy Charter Prep School is a place where learning and academic achievement are based on the character traits of respect, excellence, accountability, consideration, and honesty. We hold our students to the highest standards of performance and integrity and expect each student and staff member to maintain those standards and strive for continuous improvement. We expect our students to take responsibility for their actions to maintain academic honesty. This will support a positive teaching and learning environment for everyone.
The full Academic Integrity Policy can be downloaded HERE.(Return to top) What is Tacony Academy's Code of Conduct, Disciplinary Policy and stand on bullying? In order to create an environment for positive student development and achievement which enhances learning and leads to success in school,we have established a number of “Expectations for Student Behavior.” These expectations may be divided into two (2) categories- those that apply to academic endeavor and those that apply to student behavior. Compliance with these expectations will foster positive and productive behavior. Failure to comply with these expectations may result in disciplinary action being taken against the student. The Tacony Academy Charter School will not tolerate bullying. Recent legislation requires Pennsylvania Public Schools to create a policy regarding bullying and the discipline of students who are found to engage in bullying. This Policy will be reviewed with students and posted where all can see it. The full Code of Conduct can be downloaded HERE.(Return to top) When does school start and end? Tacony Academy is scheduled to start the 2010-2011 school year in late August and end in mid June. (Return to top) Arrival and Dismissal Procedures Arrival and Dismissal procedures are available HERE. For the safety of all students we ask that you please follow the instructions of all school personnel. (Return to top) How do I apply for enrollment at Tacony Academy Charter School? Applications for grades that are currently accepting enrollment can be found on each Grade's Curriculum page. (Return to top) Could you explain the application and admission process for Tacony Academy Charter Prep (Tacony Prep)? Applicants qualified for the ninth grade during the 2010-2011 school must submit a completed online application by the deadline. In order for the ninth grade applicant‘s completed online application to be submitted into the lottery every section must be filled. Two randomly selected, public lottery sessions are scheduled for Tacony Prep on the same day. The first lottery session is for ninth graders residing in the Northeast High School and Lincoln High School neighborhood/attendances zones. A second lottery session is held to fill any vacancies left from the first lottery. The second lottery session is for ninth graders living outside of the above listed neighborhood/attendance zones. Students who are not selected by the lottery are given a wait list number and placed on a waiting list for one year. Families are notified as vacancies occur throughout the school year. (Return to top) Do any communities have priority in the first session lottery? Yes, priority for the 2010-2011 school year is given to ninth grade applicants residing in the attendance zones feeding Northeast High School and Lincoln High School. (Return to top) How do I get an online application? Applications for grades that are currently accepting enrollment can be found on each Grade's Curriculum page. Once you complete the application and submit it, you will automatically receive a confirmation number by email. (Return to top) What is the deadline for applying online? The deadline for the 2010-2011 school year is midnight on January 19, 2010. (Return to top) What are the enrollment requirements for Tacony Prep? The College Preparatory Program, at Tacony Academy Charter School will actively recruit a diverse ninth grade student population from Northeast High School and Lincoln High School attendance zones who understand and value the mission and are committed to our instructional and operational philosophy. These ninth grade students will have preference for admission and should the school over subscribe additional ninth grade students will be selected through a random lottery session. This random lottery for students living within the attendance zones is called “The First Lottery”. Ninth grade students living outside of the attendance zones are also eligible to apply for admission. These students will be randomly selected through a separate lottery system to fill vacancies from “The First Lottery”. The lottery session used to select children living outside of the attendance zone is “The Second Lottery”. All ninth grade students who are not admitted will receive a randomly selected wait list number and may be offered admission throughout the year if vacancies become available. 1. Required Student Enrollment Presentation As part of Tacony Academy’s High School enrollment, each student must complete an Independent Research Presentation and present the results to a panel of teachers and administrators. The Independent Research Presentation should be science related and either follows Scientific Method, the Question-Answer model, or the Problem-Solution model.
The panel of teachers will evaluate your Independent Research Project based on the following: 1. The content of your project- How well the student follows Scientific Method, Question-Answer, or Problem-Solution 2. Your presentation skills- Student may use notes, but should NOT read the notes word-for-word, the student should speak in a loud, clear voice and use eye contact, etc. 3. Your visual aid- The visual aid should be attractive and help explain the project- A sample rubric that the panel will use to evaluate the presentations should be reviewed. Click HERE for some tips for a stellar presentation!2. Letter of Recommendation Ninth grade students selected for admission to Tacony Prep must submit one recommendation form completed by a school official or a faculty member on the date of their scheduled interview. The Recommendation Form can be downloaded HERE.3. Complete and Submit Online Application The online application can be found on the Ninth Grade Curriculum Page. (Return to top) When does the lottery happen? The lottery date is Thursday, January 28, 2010, 6:00PM, at the Tacony Academy Charter School, 1330 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111. (Return to top) If my student is accepted for admission, how do I schedule a student interview and oral presentation? You will be contacted by the admissions committee to schedule an interview and time for the oral presentation for students selected for admission through the lottery process. Click HERE for Enrollment Requirements. (Return to top) My student is very interested in science and inventions, but has not had any experience in interviewing or doing an oral presentation. How can I help? On the website, www.taconyacademy.org you can find presentation guidelines, tips and two student presentation videos to serve as examples for when your child prepares this very important requirement. (Return to top) What does my waiting list number mean? When the two lottery sessions take place, applications are randomly sorted and selected to fill openings. Once opening are filled, the computer assigns waiting list numbers to the remaining applications. (Return to top) How long will I be on the waiting list before I get in? As openings occur, applicants on the waiting list are called. There is often no way to predict exactly when an opening will occur. Students stay on the wait list for one year. Interested students still on the wait list at the end of the 2011 school year must apply for the tenth grade on line during the open application period. (Return to top) Can I transfer my child into Tacony Academy Prep? Applicants on the waiting list have preference over any late applicants. In the rare event there is an opening and no waiting list, it is sometimes possible to move quickly through the application and enrollment process. (Return to top) I already have a student at Tacony Academy. How do I get my other child into Tacony Prep? For the 2010-2011 school year all eligible ninth graders must complete the application process. Students are selected by lottery. There is no sibling preference. (Return to top) I am desperate and your school could save my child’s life, so could you please make an exception in our situation? We are, of course, sympathetic to individuals in difficult situations. However, we are legally required to honor the waiting list and all other state requirements. (Return to top) What should I do if I do not know if my student will be promoted to the ninth grade? What grade should we apply for? Candidates for admission are required to apply for the grade immediately following their current grade. Students must successfully complete the eighth grade to be admitted. |
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HOME | OUR MISSION | FAST FACTS | CURRICULUM & STAFF | CALENDAR | NEWS | SITE MAP | CONTACT Tacony Academy Charter School, 1330 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111-2899 | P: 215.742.5100 | F: 215.742.5200 © 2010 Tacony Academy Charter School, A First Philadelphia Paradigm School. All Rights Reserved. |