Under new management: Struggling schools?

Despite a troubling past, West Philadelphia High has made significant strides in improving its academics and school climate.

The new leadership had worked to quell violence that frequently broke out in the building. Meanwhile, students had a hand in shaping a new curriculum that divided the school based on academic and civic themes.

But now, some at the school fear that all their hard work was in vain, as they ponder the future of the school, one of 14 being considered for a dramatic transformation under the district's "Renaissance Schools" initiative.

"A lot of folks are scared," said Eric Braxton, of the Philadelphia Education Fund, who met with staff and students at the school last night.

"But some see this as an opportunity," he said. "Some people at West were saying that this could be an opportunity for people in that school to create their own plan to make their school work."

District officials echoed that sentiment at yesterday's School Reform Commission meeting.

Benjamin Rayer, who oversees privately managed and charter schools for the district, said qualified applicants, including charters, colleges and even district employees, will have the opportunity to run a Renaissance school under one of four available models.

"We're interested in hearing from everyone," he said, adding that those interested must adhere to a list of requirements. But "we are not going to experiment with the children."

Prospective operators will have to submit their applications in cooperation with other organizations that provide support services such as tutoring, mentoring and professional development.

It's not clear how many schools will eventually be designated a Renaissance school. The final list will be announced in March.

Rayer emphasized parent and community involvement during the process, which ends when the district pairs schools with their new managers in May. Applicants must submit their first application by Feb. 19 to be considered.

Once a school is identified as Renaissance, all teachers and administrators there will have to reapply or apply for positions at other schools. Up to 50 percent of the faculty may be rehired by the new managers of their original school, but they may be expected to work longer school days, two Saturdays a month and 22 days in July.

Critics of the program have warned that affected teachers, even the best ones, could end up transferring to other school districts.

West Philly High junior Azeem Hill, 16, said yesterday that the plan would hurt the school's culture. "Some teachers shouldn't go," he said.

Yesterday, during an editorial board meeting with the Daily News, teachers' union president Jerry Jordan said instructors shouldn't see the plan as a punishment for poor performance.

"This is not about blaming the teachers," he said. "You have a number of schools that have not been performing as well as we would like. It's about trying a different model."

The district informed schools and parents of their schools' status yesterday. Students will continue to attend the schools.

Schools made the list based on criteria that include test scores, Adequate Yearly Progress history, graduation rates and other factors.

District officials have already begun meeting with staff at affected schools, Rayer said. An audit by an independent firm will help determine the final list of schools.

The district will form a school-advisory committee and solicit input from parents and community leaders on what they'd like to see accomplished in their schools.

The Renaissance schools will be expected to meet targets in standardized test scores, school climate, student retention and in other ways. They will enter into a five-year contract with the district, which can terminate the contract if it is deemed necessary.

The district has said that it will set aside $1.29 million for Renaissance schools to fund the additional requirements.

The district also announced yesterday that 25 so-called "Vanguard" schools, the district's highest performers, will be granted more autonomy from district oversight.

Every year, the district plans to designate a new batch of Renaissance schools.

Of the 28 district schools currently run by private managers, a few are on the Renaissance list, but contracts for those few will end in a year or less.