Fair lets children and parents shop for high schools

For Stephanie and Gerald Wright of Philadelphia's Germantown section, the ideal high school for daughter Nyla would be a public school with rigorous programs in science, math, and the arts.

"I'm looking for a high school that's going to be geared toward 21st-century learning," Stephanie Wright said.

Wright was among more than 1,000 students, parents, and counselors attending the Philly High School Fair on Friday afternoon.

The free two-day event at the Armory at Drexel University features representatives from more than 100 public, charter, private, and archdiocesan high schools from around the region, offering information to prospective students.

Stephanie Wright said she was looking at public schools including Girls High, Central High, and Hill-Freedman World Academy.

"I'm really focusing on public schools," Wright said, adding she wanted Nyla, 13, to attend a school that offers studies "that would make her more marketable out here."

Lynn Banks of the Overbrook section, there with son Jalen, 13, said she was looking at charter schools with "small settings, an academic focus, and close to our home."

She said she was focusing on charters because "I think the class sizes are a little smaller, and I think they are more hands-on."

Banks said Boys' Latin of Philadelphia was one of the schools she was considering. Jalen Banks said that he is interested in arts and animation and that he would like to attend Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts.

Raul Lahee, a counselor at John B. Stetson Charter School, brought 50 eighth graders to the fair.

"They are at the stage where they don't know which school they want to apply to," Lahee said. "This gives them a good opportunity to speak to people from different schools."

He said the parents are looking at a "mixed bag" of schools. "Some have three public schools and two charter schools" they are considering, Lahee said.

The fair, which continues Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is an annual program sponsored by Peco and hosted by Great Philly Schools, a nonprofit providing information on all elementary, middle, and high schools in Philadelphia, said Kristen Forbriger, a spokeswoman for the organization.

Nick Haase of Chestnut Hill said his son, Nico, a 10th grader, was looking for a school that offers arts and athletics, because he wants to play basketball.

Haase said his son was considering CAPA and Central.

Nico Haase, 15, said he wants to attend a school that offers "individual teaching, one-on-one instruction, and good athletics."