Part II in a series dedicated to National Charter Schools Week
99 percent.
That was the rate at which 2012 graduating seniors at Boys’ Latin Charter School in West Philadelphia were accepted into colleges across the United States.
Quite fittingly, Boys’ Latin is a self-described college preparatory high school, and judging by college acceptance and matriculation rates, educators make good on that promise.
Like all charter schools, Boys’ Latin was founded with a clear vision in mind of what could provide a productive educational experience to students in need. Young men, 78 percent of whom qualify for free and reduced price lunch, attend a four-week academy the summer before their freshman year.
Additionally, students take Latin throughout their four years of high school. In fact, fifteen students were awarded performance medals on the National Latin Exam in 2011. If Ancient Romans time-traveled to 21st century America and needed to be interpreted, it wouldn’t hurt to point them to West Philadelphia.
Boys’ Latin families have access to an expansive college-advising department to help navigate the path to apply the wealth of knowledge obtained from the previous four years.
Pioneers of the school, including school CEO David Hardy, responded to a distinct need for helping the young men of Philly who stand to benefit from the Boys’ Latin high expectations for both academics as well as character development.
The positive impact of an institution such as Boys’ Latin is extraordinary, and the commitment to excellence that goes beyond the classroom is nothing short of commendable.