The Renaissance Schools Initiative is an opportunity for school communities to rally around the transformation of their neighborhood school in partnership with organizations and individuals who can bring dramatic improvements to chronically underperforming schools.

The Renaissance Schools initiative is highlighted in the School District's "Imagine 2014" strategic plan and is based on the belief that the School District has chronically underperforming schools that are not serving the needs of students and families, and that these schools need fundamental change that facilitates a transformation of the learning environment, not simply school improvement. Because of the urgency to dramatically improve the learning environment in these underperforming schools, the School District is seeking innovative ways to embrace bold new educational approaches with proven track records for success.

Renaissance Schools will have greater degrees of autonomy in school management in exchange for a high degree of accountability for performance. Schools will be identified as Renaissance Schools based on an assessment of academic performance and growth, and will be matched with Renaissance turnaround teams who can demonstrate the capabilities and competencies to undertake the substantial challenges of a whole school turnaround process. 

The District recognizes that community engagement is integral to the process of school transformation, and is committed to involving the Philadelphia community in the process of implementing the Renaissance School initiative.

For more information, about how parents and community members are participating in School Advisory Councils, click here.