6 applicants qualify to run Renaissance schools

The Philadelphia School District announced yesterday that only six of 28 applicants to operate the new Renaissance schools next year have been selected as best qualified.

The six finalists are Aspira Inc., Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Mastery Charter Schools, Universal Companies, and the Young Scholars Charter School, all from Philadelphia, and Johns Hopkins/Diploma Now, of Baltimore.

The district came up with the Renaissance-schools initiative to help transform the lowest-performing schools by seeking applications from individuals or organizations with proven track records of operating high-achieving schools.

Fourteen public schools were named as possibly becoming Renaissance schools in September.

After the finalists submit their proposals, district officials and members of school advisory councils will evaluate them and announce the "turnaround teams" on April 13.

"The goal of the [Renaissance] initiative is to turn underperforming schools into highly effective schools that provide exceptional opportunities for student academic achievement and preparedness for success in college and the workforce," a district statement said.

Renaissance schools are set for some major changes intended to boost academic performance, such as a longer school day and year.

Teachers who want to stay at their schools will have to reapply for their jobs with the outside turnaround teams, but only up to 50 percent can be rehired, according to the district and the recent Philadelphia Federation of Teachers contract.

The 14 schools that may be turned into Renaissance schools are Ethel D. Allen, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, John B. Stetson Middle School, Guion S. Bluford, William F. Harrity, University City High, Roberto Clemente, William B. Mann, Robert Vaux, Samuel H. Daroff, Potter-Thomas, West Philadelphia High, Frederick Douglass and Franklin Smedley.

More information about the timeline for converting Renaissance schools is available at www.philasd.org/renschools.