Last Updated: Friday, September 19, 2011

Masterman is a middle and senior high school serving culturally diverse, academically talented students in grades 5-12. They come from all parts of the city, primarily from public schools, but also from non-public schools. Masterman has been named a 2010 National Blue Ribbon school, one of just two high schools in the state of Pennsylvania.  For the past four years, Masterman has been cited by Philadelphia Magazine as one of the best high schools in the tri-state area.  Masterman teachers are “demonstration” teachers who are expected to provide an enriched and accelerated curriculum and to support students’ involvement in curriculum-related activities.

Middle School Program

In the middle school, the core curriculum standards are implemented at an advanced level, using various pieces of literature as well as an anthology in the language arts curriculum. The fifth and sixth grade curricula are enriched with art, music, Latin, physical and health education, and computer instruction. Gifted support and enrichment are provided to all fifth and sixth grade students.

In addition to the arts, the seventh grade students take beginning Algebra, those who excel have the opportunity to test into Algebra II in eighth grade, and to further accelerate the math program if they are admitted to the high school. Eighth grade students also study both earth and physical science in preparation for ninth grade biology.

There are numerous extra-curricular activities which include: nationally ranked chess and athletic teams, a championship National Academic League team, world languages, math and social studies competitions, science fairs, musical ensembles, choir and a yearbook.

Almost all of the students admitted to Masterman High School, a college preparatory program for approximately 450 outstanding students, are selected from Masterman Middle School. Masterman provides opportunities for interaction between middle and high school students. Activities include Project T.E.E.N. (peer counseling by high school students), peer mentors and tutors, multi-cultural programs and big brother/sister programs.

Admissions Process

The Julia R. Masterman Middle School accepts most of its students in the fifth grade. A few students are admitted in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. The high school, however, very rarely accepts students outside of Masterman Middle School. Only approximately half of the students from Masterman Middle School will be admitted to the high school, which consists of about 100 students in the 9th grade and around 400 overall.

Admission Guidelines for Masterman School:

• A local percentile of 88 on the PSSA test in both Reading and Math are the minimum requirement. 

• Public school families should contact the child’s present school for score conversion information. The national percentile on a nationally recognized standardized test will be considered when it is available, for non-public school students.  Independent school students may submit ERB scores.  
• In addition to test scores, a recent individual psychological test with a score of 130 or above may be submitted but will not necessarily guarantee admission.
• A lower reading score may be considered for students who have lived in the U.S. for three years or less.

• All A’s and B’s are the minimum grades required to apply. Most of the students who are admitted have nearly all A’s. The highest levels of other marking systems are also expected.
• A full year of French or Spanish and algebra are required prior to grade nine.                                                   
• The behavior/citizenship grades in all areas should be B or higher.
• Good attendance and punctuality are required.

Application Process:

• The Elementary/Middle School Application and Student Data Transcript Forms are used for middle school admission and the High School Application Form and Data Transcript is used for high school admission.
  • Public school students may receive forms from their school counselor.
  • Private school students may receive forms upon request from the Philadelphia School District, Julia R. Masterman School, or any other public school in the Philadelphia School District.
  • The forms may also be downloaded from the Voluntary Transfer Program section of the School District of Philadelphia's Website.
• The student's end-of-the-year report cards for the past two years, as well as the most recent standardized test scores, should be included with the Data Transcript Form for Special Admission Middle School. 
• The Student Data Transcript forms are to be sent directly to Masterman.  The Elementary/ Middle School Application forms are to be sent to the Office of Student Placement, 440 N. Broad Street, Phila., PA  19130.
• The deadline for applications for the 2012-2013 school year is October 28, 2011.
  
• Some students are waitlisted, but very few students are accepted from the waitlist.

Please contact Teresa Burke, our school's admissions coordinator,  at (215) 299-4661 for more information.

Notification of Acceptance

The Office of Student Placement sends out acceptance decisions in the winter. Public school counselors will be able to get a list of students accepted, not accepted and wait-listed from their school computer in the Transfer Menu. Non-public school students will receive acceptance letters by mail from the Office of School Placement.


Visit Masterman

A “Prospective Parents” meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 9:30 A.M. The meeting lasts approximately one and one-half hours and includes an information session and a short tour of the school. The meeting is designed primarily for parents and not for students. There is an Open House for students and parents in the spring after the admissions process has been completed. An Orientation Day will be held just prior to school opening in September. Individual visits by students are not usually possible due to space and time limitations.