Freire Charter School
Philadelphia Restaurant School manager and entrepreneur Jay Guben founded the Freire Charter School in Philadelphia in 1998. Guben wanted to make a difference in his community and collaborated with individuals from the business sector to set up this school for grades 8-12, which now serves 224 students.
The school draws on the philosophy of Brazilian educator and philosopher, Paolo Freire, who outlined a way to teach individuals critical thinking, utilizing the context and environment that they already know. As an outgrowth of this philosophy, students are engaged in internships and community service in the school’s neighborhood of Center City, Philadelphia. School director Kelly Davenport talks about “honoring student voice” at the same time that the importance of preparing for college is emphasized. She says, “Our challenge is in integrating this real learning and real knowledge that comes with the students’ interaction with the community with college and test preparation.”
Davenport describes the open environment of the school, where students are able to leave campus for lunch. “Kids have to be able to self-manage,” she notes. A strict code of conduct is enforced on this open campus, and students are expected to make the right choices in order to maintain their freedom.
Freire also prides itself on being a nonviolent school. When asked what they liked about their school on a recent school survey, a significant number of students noted that they like the school because they feel safe there. The school has become a real community, offering strong after-school programs that include tutoring, chess club, drama and sports.
Russell Byers Charter School
The Russell Byers Charter School, which opened in 2001, is also located in the City Center neighborhood of Philadelphia. Laurada Byers, the wife of the late Philadelphia Daily News columnist Russell Byers, founded the school in her husband’s memory. Russell Byers was murdered in 1999 in an attempted robbery and had written passionately about public education. The school is open to all Philadelphia residents and has a unique two-year kindergarten program that begins with 4 year olds. It currently serves 200-plus students from the 4-year-old kindergarten program to the fourth grade with a 20-to-1 student/teacher ratio.
The school uses the Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound program, a curriculum that stresses learning by doing. Teachers plan and teach “learning expeditions” using topics and questions based on state standards and student interests.
Reading and writing are the everyday focus of the classroom and gardening, Spanish, music, art, exercise and computers are integral parts of the daily lessons.
The Peace Program, designed to create a safe environment, employs principles that include: “Talking it Out,” “Using Your Words,” and pairing lower and upper grade students in a buddy program. The school holds a yearly Peace Immersion Day dedicated to peacemaking studies and activities.
Career Connections Charter High School
Career Connections Charter High School (CCCHS) was created in 1999 through a partnership between the Pittsburgh Public School District and the Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania. The aim is to provide a safe, structured and practical learning environment for 200 high school students.
Students take career exploration classes in the ninth and 10th grade, designed to promote self-awareness and exploring different career options. By the senior year, students are required to participate in an internship or a dual enrollment program by attending courses at the local community college. Students can also participate in a summer job program at a local business.
CCCHS has also built a café called “The Spot,” run by student interns. After-school activities abound on campus and include: yearbook, cheerleading, the national honors society, student council, a music program, girls' and boys' basketball.
Additional Resources
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