6 finalists in running of Renaissance schools

Six groups are still in the running for a chance to transform some of the district's failing schools, district officials announced yesterday.

The providers, most of whom run charter schools in the city, were asked to demonstrate a proven track record of boosting student progress, and now must make presentations to advisory councils at nine of the 14 schools targeted under the district's Renaissance reform plan.

Some providers have expressed a preference as to which schools they are interested in working with, a district official said.

"There is a potential, but there are no guarantees," said Carly Bolger, who is overseeing the final matches between schools and their turnaround teams.

The schools up for possible private management are: elementary schools Bluford, Daroff, Douglass, Harrity, Mann, Potter-Thomas and Smedley; Stetson Middle; and West Philadelphia High.

The rest will be managed by the district as so-called Promise Academies: elementary schools Ethel Allen and Dunbar, Clemente Middle, and University City and Vaux high schools.

Personnel at each school will be expected to work longer school days, two Saturdays a month and 22 days in July.

The advisory councils will visit schools run by turnaround teams, interview administrators and submit recommendations to Superintendent Arlene Ackerman, who will make the final recommendation to the School Reform Commission. They are expected to finalize the matches next month.

The six finalists are:

Aspira, Inc., Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Johns Hopkins/Diploma Now, Mastery Charter Schools, Universal Companies and Young Scholars Charter School.