• Dissertation on UCHS history (Oliff 2000)
• Leadership history

  • Dr. Davis Martin (1973-1991)

  • Ms. Lucille Logan (1992-1994)

  • Mr. Mickey Shoemaker (1994-1995)

  • Dr. Torch Lytle (1995-1997)

  • Ms. Florence Johnson (1998-2003)
  • Ms. Mary Sandra Dean (2004-2005)

  • Mr. John Chapman  (2005-2006)

  • Dr. Anthony Irvin (2006-2008)

• Political Hot Buttons
  

  • History of community tension between students from Overbrook and Mantua, “the Bottom”

  • Community and staff concerned about rumors of school closing, as well as known asbestos issues in the building

• Original vision for school according to an article in the Evening Bulletin:

 "the school was scheduled to open in 1970 and was designed to be both 'comprehensive' and 'magnet' with special science programs-15 science and 10 commercial labs, a planetarium, poll, orchestra hall, communications center, tennis courts, extensive playing fields and a bookstore.  The 3,000 students were to be composed of 75% neighborhood students and 25% magnet students, which of course would allow for West Philadelphia High School to be converted into a middle school.  The school opened in 1973  under the leadership of Dr. Davis Martin, who served as the building Principal until 1991." 

• West Philadelphia/University City information & history links
  • West Philadelphia Data & Information Resources, Univ. of Penn. (2004)
    
  • Neighborhood History and "The Plan for West Philadelphia" (1994)
  • Cities of Knowledge:Cold War Science and the Search for the Next Silicon Valley (Politics and Society in 20th Century America), based on dissertation by Margaret Pugh O'Mara, Univ. of Penn. (2002)