Welcome to the James Alcorn Elementary School’s Website.Our school is named after a former City Solicitor and Public Service Commissioner.James Alcorn was born in Philadelphia in 1853.He attended Central High School and graduated from the law department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1874.He was admitted to the bar in 1874.
The James Alcorn School was built in 1932.It has served the Grays Ferry Community faithfully for seventy-eight years.
Principal's Message
September 15, 2011
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself as the new Principal of the James Alcorn Elementary School. I feel extremely fortunate to serve the students of this community and look forward to working closely with incoming staff, parents or guardians, and community members.
Previously, I served as Principal of Thomas Holme Elementary School in The School District of Philadelphia. For years the school was an under-performing school with significant climate issues. However, last year the school met it's performance targets and made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as a result of higher standards, expectations, and accountability. The school experienced double-digit growth in one year's time.
As you are aware, Alcorn School has experienced similar issues surrounding under-achievement and climate for several years but in a short period of time, dramatic change and improvement will be a reality. Our charge is simple. We must make dramatic progress by the end of this school year.
Although, Alcorn will not become a Promise Academy for the 2011-2012 school year our commitment to parental engagement remains. Parents, guardians, and other caring adults are the most important and often underutilized resource in the school. We must work together in order to accomplish significant gains in our students' academic achievement. I invite you to become an active participant in your child's education. Soon you will hear about opportunities to become more involved in the school in a variety of ways. Please take advantage of them. We need your help and support. We will draw upon every viable resource to ensure that this happens. Both you and our children deserve better. Together, we will make our school, a model school in which every parent will want to send their child.
By the end of October 2011, we will launch our Volunteers for a Better Alcorn(VBA) Training Program. Parents, guardians, and community members who are interested in volunteering in the school during the school day will submit an application and complete a 3 -hour training program. A maximum of 15 volunteers will be selected as a part of the first graduating class of volunteers. FBI and Child Abuse clearance must be obtained at the start of the program. These clearances must be current within 6 months of the start date. Upon completion of the program, potential volunteers will receive a certificate and have the opportunity to begin volunteering.
The James Alcorn Promise Advisory Council (SAC) is one opportunity for school stakeholders to discuss ways to improve student achievement. The SAC is a part of the overall leadership structure at the school.
As members of the School Advisory Council, you will have the opportunityto contribute to the shared goal of improving student achievement, be informed about what's happening at school, be an important partner in the education system, andhave a vehicle through which to express opinions.
The council is comprised of approximately 15 members. At least 51% of the School Advisory Council will be parents/legal guardians of children attending our school. Community stakeholders who directly service or work with our school may include: community and faith based organizations, local/business community owners, elected officials, community residents, educators, college or university representatives and economic development organizations.
We look forward to working with you in the coming months.
