PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The School District of Philadelphia will be overhauling the offerings at three neighborhood high schools to prepare students for jobs in high-demand industries. The schools will aim to get students ready for jobs right after graduation.
Three schools were chosen for what the district has dubbed its 21st Century Schools model, starting next year.
Bartram High School will provide automotive, logistics, warehousing, and transportation studies.
“From the service component to accounting, sales,” said principal Brian Johnson.
Overbrook High School will offer entertainment industry programs including management and digital design.
Related
“Through this added support, we will be exposing students to more facets of the entertainment society in hopes of closing the opportunity gap here in West Philadelphia,” said principal Dr. Kahlila Johnson.
West Philadelphia High School will have urban development, real estate, and arts and cultural career prep.
“This 21st Century Schools mode — that's what it's called — is a blend of both academic and career-focused learning that prepares students for high-demand careers here in Philadelphia,” said School District of Philadelphia Deputy Chief of Postsecondary Readiness Ali Robinson Rogers.
“Students enrolled in these three schools will be able to determine a career pathway based on those industries. They will be immersed in an integrated academic and career-focused curriculum.”
Related
She said the goal is to put students on a path to gaining certifications that will help students land a job in their chosen fields.
Superintendent Tony Watlington calls it an effort to create options beyond the district’s criteria-based schools.
“I believe in investing in partnerships that provide life-changing opportunities and life-changing outcomes for our young people,” he said.
Watlington couldn’t say how much the program would cost, but he said it would require additional teachers.
If the program is successful, the district plans to expand it to other high schools.