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The ceremonial groundbreaking for the new West Philadelphia High School took place underneath a tent this morning. (Clem Murray / Staff Photographer)

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District breaks ground for new West Phila. High School

By Sam Wood

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Philadelphia School District officials formally broke ground today for a new $66 million West Philadelphia High School that will rise at 49th and Chestnut Streets.

The project, which has been in the works for years, is the last of former schools chief executive Paul Vallas $1.5 billion capital campaign. Construction is slated to begin in late-November. It is projected to open with the start of the 2011 school year.

The current West - a big, bulky structure that takes up an entire city block at 47th and Walnut Streets - was constructed in 1912 and is one of the district's oldest buildings. It has never had major renovations.

The new West will occupy 4.5 acres where West Catholic High School for Boys once stood. For the first time, West students, which number about 1,000, will have access to state-of-the-art amenities.

"The current school doesn't have its own science labs," said Vincent Thompson, a school district spokesman. "In 1912 there wasn't much of a need for it."

The new three-story building will have those labs, along with a new theater, computer rooms and two gymnasiums, Thompson said.

Kahlif Dobson, 17, was one of a group of West students who worked to forge the new school's identity.

A senior, Dobson trekked to Harlem and Brooklyn in New York to see model schools in action.

"We wanted to make sure the new school promoted a culture of family and a culture of friends," said Dobson, a senior. "So we visited schools around the country and asked ourselves how we could get the best parts of those schools into the new West."

The new edifice will house three of the West's four academies, the schools-within-a-school focusing on urban leadership, business and technology, and creative and performing arts. The heralded automotive academy will remain at its current location, near the old West building.

Dobson said he wasn't disappointed he won't be taking classes at the new West.

"The fact I won't be in the school is a little sad, but I'll know I contributed to it and it will serve so many students from my community."

Contact staff writer Sam Wood at 215-854-2796 or at samwood@phillynews.com.

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Comments

Posted 04:34 PM, 10/27/2009

Dutch of N

*fingers crossed*

Posted 05:01 PM, 10/27/2009

The Truth

Its great that those students of the future will have a school where they can soar... I just hope they appreciate the gift and exploit all that it has to offer! Just my two cents!

Posted 05:44 PM, 10/27/2009

john 16

last year they had shoot outs, gang fights, and arsons, just what the kids need a new school funded by the taxpayers great investment

Posted 06:44 PM, 10/27/2009

Bob1

"The current school doesn't have its own science labs," said Vincent Thompson, a school district spokesman. "In 1912 there wasn't much of a need for it." They weren't needed in 1972? 1992? 2002? By the way "john", some of the kids there do want an education. Are you going to condemn them to a continued cesspool of a building because the school district won't lay down the law? Instead of condemning the innocent kids who suffer there at the hands of thugs, you should be demanding that they make sure your "tax investment" also goes to more security there. You would do better to read the Gospel more carefully before you take its name. You creep.

Posted 06:51 PM, 10/27/2009

jt126

Hooray for state of the art facilities for a West Philadelphia school. How about the Northeast schools? Oh wait, they get the West Philadelphia kids bussed in. Wasted $. FAIL.

Posted 07:36 PM, 10/27/2009

thoughtful

If you noticed in the first picture of the ground breaking, the principal was in the back, allowing her students a moment to shine (look directly in the middle of the picture, that's her, in the background)? Many posters questioned her authinticity after reading the story about her last week. This shows you her character. She could have easily been at the forefront of the picture (they asked her to be in the front, but she respectfully decline), hogging up the spot light. But no, she let the kids have their moment. NIce job again Saliyah!

Posted 08:18 PM, 10/27/2009

Fernando08

Congratulation, hopefully this public investment will result in less money being wasted on some private for profit business, like credit cards, payday loans or other exploitative practices masquerading as private enterprise. Tax money well spent, seriously, I hope they regulate some of those financial services out of existence. Join a credit union.

Posted 10:09 PM, 10/27/2009

Down in the Basement

West Philadelphia will be a great success like the School of the Future...with its millions of dollars... Mark my words...

Posted 05:15 AM, 10/28/2009

akaman

From all indications it appears West has turned around, not because of district mandates, but because of students like Khalif who demanded, worked for it,demonstrated it, and ultimately received it. The it is respect. Principals who were willing to treat people like people played a large role. The district can learn something here. You get respect by giving it, not mandating it. So much potential has been wasted by this school district, perhaps this is the turning moment where all are listened to and treated with respect. It has been the missing ingredient for too long.

Posted 02:35 PM, 10/28/2009

Jeffrey909

I agree with you, akaman. Let this be a lesson to the district. It takes organized communities to demand the right leadership. All too often once we get it we get written out of the history. Thankfully it looks like that isn't what's happening at West. I was at the groundbreaking yesterday. One consistent theme is that there is still a long way to go. A new building is an important step along the way. Now we need to keep listening and building on the work of students and others to make the education at West what it needs to be.