Your back-to-school guide for Manayunk, Roxborough and East Falls

 Principal of Cook-Wissahickon, Karen Thomas, stands at the doors of the school. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks, file)

Principal of Cook-Wissahickon, Karen Thomas, stands at the doors of the school. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks, file)

It’s back to school time again in Manayunk, Roxborough and East Falls. NewsWorks has put together contact information for area schools and a handful of school year highlights.

Major changes to the school landscape in Northwest Philly for the 2013-2014 academic year include the closure of Germantown High School, which will now feed students into MLK High School and Roxborough High School. Other area closures include Robert Fulton Elementary in Germantown and John L. Kinsey in West Oak Lane.

Keep in mind that Theodore Roosevelt will remain open, but will no longer be a middle school and will now serve K-8. Parkway Northwest High School has relocated from Germantown Avenue to share a location at 1100 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave. with Leeds Middle School.

NewsWorks will follow all area schools throughout the year to provide readers with additional updates. If you have a school-related story idea, send your thoughts to bhickey@whyy.org or nroshania@whyy.org.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Here’s a guide to going back to school in Roxborough, Manayunk and East Falls.

AIM Academy

Address: 1200 River Rd. Conshohocken, PA 19428Phone: 215-483-2461Principal: Pat Roberts

The school recently relocated from Manayunk to Conshohocken. 
AIM’s curriculum for late Middle School and Upper School students allows them to choose one or more curricular threads (electives, internships, etc.).
The school will continue STEAM programs, which stands for “Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Art.” 
The school’s 2013-2014 Speakers Series will feature global experts. 
AIM will continue to partner with the Vetri Foundation for “Eatiquette,” which aims to transform school lunch. Students will gather around tables for a family style eating experience.

AMY Northwest

Address: 6000 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19128Contact: 215-487-7600

AMY Northwest will be beginning its second year in the former location of William Levering Elementary School.

A. Philip Randolph Career and Technical High School

Address: 3101 Henry Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19128Phone: 215-227-4407Principal: Darryl Overton

Currently, the school offers several areas of career preparation including: Auto Mechanics, Auto Body, Construction Technology and Building Trades, Culinary Arts, Fire Academy, Health Related Technology and Vending Repair.
Extracurricular activities include Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball, Cheerleading, Co-ed Bowling, Newsletter Staff and Track and Field.
Students can partake in Conflict Resolution lessons and counseling.

Cook-Wissahickon Elementary School

Address: 201 E. Salaignac Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19128Phone: 215-487-4463Principal: Karen Thomas

Movement breaks will be incorporated into the school day to get students focused.
Lessons have been added to prevent and report bullying.
The curriculum now revolves around the Common Core Standards, which means that teaching is more about depth rather than quantity, mastery rather than test taking.
Monthly School Advisory Council meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of every month at 4:30 p.m. in the Library.

Eastern University Academy Charter School

Address: 3 Falls Center, Suite 2, 3300 Henry Avenue, Philadelphia Pa. 19129Phone: 215-769-3131Principal: Omar Barlow

The curriculum at EUACS has a focus on student passions and interests.
EUACS will continue the “Community Immersion” service learning program. For example, a river clean-up will include a study of river pollution and environmental policy reform.

Green Woods Charter School

Address: 119 Rector St. Philadelphia, PA 19127 (Kindergarten through 2nd grade)171 Conarroe St. Philadelphia, PA 19127 (3rd grade through 8th grade)Phone: 215-482-6337 or 267-428-6337CEO: Jean Wallace

The school’s move to a brand new building in Roxborough will take place over winter break.
The 2013-2014 school year will include book fairs, Earth Day celebration (April), a golf outing fundraiser, and Annual Museum Night (May).

James Dobson Elementary School

Address: 4667 Umbria Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19127Phone: 215-487-4460Principal: Patricia Cruice

The 2013-2014 school year will continue extracurricular programs like student council, school newspaper, performing arts, choir, instrumental music, and intramural and inter-scholastic sports.
Each month Dobson has a Student of the Month (SOTM) assembly. 
The school continues to participate in programs including Accelerated Readers, FamilyRead, 100 Book Challenge, School Safety Squad.

Lankenau High School

Address: 201 Spring Lane, Philadelphia, Pa. 19128Phone: 215-487-4465

Principal: Karen Deen

The school will continue to participate in Fuel Up to Play 60, which encourages youth to eat healthy and move more.
Youthworks will be offered for service learning and career related opportunities for students.
Extracurricular Activities include Grade Recovery, Credit Recovery, Year Book Club, Chess Club, Dance Team and various athletic activities.

Roxborough High School

Address: 6498 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19128Phone: 215-487-4464Principal: Dana Jenkins

The school opens the 2013-2014 school year with a new principal, Dana Jenkins, former assistant principal. (Stephen Brandt is now principal at Bensalem High School).
Some students from the now closed Germantown High School are enrolled at RHS this year.
Extracurricular activities include: RHS Choir, Anime, Chess Club, Robotics Club, Debate/Mock Trial Club, School Beautification Club, Fitness Club, Drama Club, Science Club, Yearbook, Student Government and National Honors Society and various sports.

Shawmont School

Address: 535 Shawmont Ave., Philadelphia, Pa 19128Phone: 215-487-4466Principal: Eileen Hoffman

The school continues to pursue a strong sustainability program via “The Green Team,” a collaborative of teachers and students. The school operates a paper recycling program and hopes to improve the school garden, reduce energy consumption and recruit community members.

St. James School

Address: 3217 West Clearfield Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19132Phone: 215-226-1276Head of School: David KasievichPrincipal: Laura Hoffman-Dimery

The school continues to partner with Urban Blazers, a non-profit organization which encourages science, education, teamwork, and leadership through adventure-based trips and classes.
The seventh-grade kick-off will mark several important changes to the school, including a dedicated social worker joining the staff, as well as Spanish classes and new music offerings.
St. James School supporters are looking forward to the school’s first 5K fundraiser, scheduled for Sept. 7 on Boathouse Row.

Thomas Mifflin Elementary School

Address: 3624 Conrad Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19129Phone: 215-951-4007Principal: Leslie Mason

In addition to the core curriculum, students take classes in Physical Education, Health, Visual Arts, Instrumental Music, Library Sciences, and Computer Technology.
Currently the school has two full day Kindergarten classes, a learning support program, a school wide behavioral program, a recycling program, sports teams and extracurricular clubs.
Mifflin also has a relationship with the East Falls Community Council, Philadelphia University, The Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program, Intercommunity Action Inc., Tree Tenders, and Evangelical Lutheran Church and Sycamore After school program.

W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences

Address: 7100 Henry Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19128Phone: 215-487-4467Principal: Tamera Conaway

Saul continues to boast one of the largest FFA chapters in the country.
Multiple internship opportunities are offered each year with community organizations such as Longwood Gardens.
Students have the opportunity to participate in activities like Philadelphia Flower Show exhibits, Students Run Philly Style, Horse Club, Meat Judging, Livestock Judging, Landscape/Nursery Club and more.

William Penn Charter School

Address: 3000 West School House Lane, Philadelphia, Pa. 19129Phone: 215-844-3460Head of School: Darryl Ford

The school continues Service Learning with experiences ranging from conducting food drives to visiting the elderly.
Students will have the opportunity to partake in the Arts + Re-Creation invitational art show, which focuses on recycling.

Wissahickon Charter School

Address: 4700 Wissahickon Ave. Philadelphia, Pa. 19144Phone: 267.338.1020Co- CEOs: Kristi Littell and Jamal Elliott

WCS curriculum makes extensive use of the natural, historical and cultural resources in the Wissahickon Valley of Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. The outdoor program introduces students to the natural world.
The school offers several specials that students have one to two times each week including Physical Education, Art, Library, Discovery (an Environmental class), Techonology and Information Management (3rd to 8th), Guidance (6th to 8th), and self -selected electives for 7th and 8th.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal