Start the school year strong and ready to learn by ensuring your student is equipped with the necessary school supplies and proper school uniform from the first day. For school-specific requirements, please refer to your school’s webpage at the top of the page or contact the main office at your student’s school.

We understand that back-to-school shopping can offer financial challenges and resources are available for those in need of assistance.

Resources in Philadelphia

• Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia: Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia provides essential items, including school supplies, to children throughout the city. Through their network of community partners and donations, they ensure every child has the tools they need to succeed. Service sign-ups are available here.
• United Way of Pennsylvania: The United Way of Pennsylvania’s website provides location-based services throughout the Commonwealth, including family resources and school supplies. Visit their website here to find local community groups, organizations, and opportunities to get free and discounted school supplies.

Resources in Camden

• One Camden: One Camden has compiled a list of local back-to-school events and parties throughout August to give away school supplies and celebrate the upcoming school year. Specific event and registration details are available here.

Students and families received information about summer reading projects, including specific requirements, at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. It is important that students complete their summer reading book(s) and assigned project. The completed project should be brought to school with students on the first day on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

For questions about specific requirements for summer reading projects and due dates, please contact the main office at your student’s school.

It is crucial that all students have the required immunizations mandated by the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Health or Camden County Health and Human Services. Please review the guidelines below based on your student’s state of residence.

For additional questions regarding immunization and physical requirements, please contact the nurse at your student’s school. 

Immunizations & health resources for Philadelphia students

All Philadelphia students will be required to receive the following immunizations:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus & Acellular Pertussis (DTaP)
• Polio (IPV)
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis B (Hep B)
• Chickenpox (Varicella)

Philadelphia students entering the seventh grade will be required to receive the following immunizations:

• Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Acellular Pertussis (Tdap)
• Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4)

Philadelphia students entering the twelfth grade will be required to receive the following immunization:

• Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4)

Additionally, families should consider additional vaccines that are not required, including:

• Flu
• COVID-19
• HPV
• Meningococcal B

Please ensure that your student is up to date with the immunizations before the school year begins on August 21, 2024. Proof of vaccinations, a medical certificate, or an exemption form must be provided to your student’s school on the first day. Immunizations can be obtained at city health centers sponsored by the Department of Health. More information is available in the Department of Health’s School Immunization FAQs here.

In addition to vaccinations, the Pennsylvania Public School Code requires that students entering sixth grade and eleventh grade undergo physical examinations. This exam must be completed by the student’s primary care provider or a school provider and conducted within four months of the start of the school year. Schools will accept a doctor’s physical evaluation form or the Department of Health-approved form, which is available in English and Spanish.

 

Immunizations & health resources for Camden students 

All Camden students will be required to receive the following immunizations:

Kindergarten – First Grade

• Four (4) doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus & Acellular Pertussis (DTaP) with one of these doses on or after the student’s fourth birthday OR any five (5) doses
• Three (3) doses of Polio Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) with one of these doses given on or after the student’s fourth birthday OR any four (4) doses
• Two (2) doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
• One (1) dose of Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B)

Second – Fifth Grade

• Three (3) doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus & Acellular Pertussis (DTaP). Students seven years old and older who have not been previously vaccinated with the primary DTap series should receive three (3) of Td
• Three (3) doses of Polio Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)
• Two (2) doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
• One (1) dose of Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B

Sixth Grade – Twelfth Grade

• Three (3) doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus & Acellular Pertussis (DTaP)
• Three (3) doses of Polio Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)
• Two (2) doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
• One (1) dose of Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B
• One (1) dose of Meningococcal
• One (1) dose of Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis)

For more information, please review the New Jersey Department of Health’s immunization guidelines here.

Additionally, families should consider additional vaccines that are not required, including:

• Flu
• COVID-19
• HPV

Please ensure that your student is up to date with the immunizations before the school year begins on August 21, 2024. Proof of vaccinations, a medical certificate, or an exemption form must be provided to your student’s school on the first day. Vaccination clinics are being held at various schools across Camden. Visit the county website here to see the full schedule of vaccination clinics.

In addition to vaccinations, the following students will be required to undergo physical examinations:

• All students entering kindergarten
• Students new to the state of New Jersey
• Students in sixth grade and above who plan to participate in interscholastic sports
• Students who do not have an updated physical exam on file

To be eligible to participate in fall sports at Mastery Schools, students must:

• Have successfully matriculated to the next grade level
• Not carry below a score of 65% in two (2) or more classes (including half-credit courses)
• Undergo a physical examination to be cleared for athletic participation (Please review the specific requirements for your state below and complete the required forms before the start of the school year.)

Eligibility will be assessed bi-weekly by the athletic director at your student’s campus.

 

Please see the information below for guidance on preparing your student to participate in athletics.

Forms for Philadelphia students 

Before students can participate in practices, scrimmages, or games, the students and their families are required to complete sections 1-6 of a Comprehensive Initial Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation (CIPPE) form.The document is available in English and Spanish, and the completed CIPPE form must be submitted to your school’s athletic director before tryouts. 

Forms for Camden students 

Before students can participate in practices, scrimmages, or games, students are required to undergo a Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (PPE) and submit a Medical Eligibility Form, as mandated by the New Jersey Department of Education. As part of the requirements, families must submit a Health History Form and Annual Athletic Pre-Participation Physical Examination Form to a healthcare provider who will perform the examination.

The Medical Eligibility Form, Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes Parent/Guardian Sign-Off Form, Opioid Use and Misuse Parent/Guardian Sign-Off Form, and Concussion Acknowledgement Form are the only forms that must be submitted to your school’s athletic director before tryouts. All other forms should remain with the healthcare provider or in family medical records.

Please visit the NJ DOE website here to access all forms and additional resources in English and Spanish. 

 

Learn more about athletics at Mastery

Be sure to attend Back to School Night at your campus to hear more about current sports programs and offerings available to your students.

For more information about sports at Mastery Schools, visit our Athletics page.

At Mastery Schools, we are committed to creating safe and secure environments where students can learn without distraction. We invest heavily in ensuring both psychological and physical safety for all students, staff and families. To enhance safety and boost student achievement, we are introducing a new weapons detection system, continuing partnership with the Safe2Say Something program, and expanding our Rebound program for school year 2024-2025.

For more information about the comprehensive approach to safety at Mastery Schools, visit our Safety page.

 

Our families are our partners in ensuring positive student outcomes. As we start the new school year, we are encouraging all families to be actively involved in their child’s experience at school and at home.

Families can get involved in various ways.

• Join Your School-Based Parent Association: Collaborate with other parents and contribute to your school’s community.
• Join the Mastery Parent Action Team (MPAT): Be part of a network-wide group advocating for meaningful progress for all students at Mastery.

For more information on how to get involved, visit our Family and Community Engagement page. 

All high school students will receive Chromebooks before the first day of school. The distribution period is from August 1 to August 19. For specific dates and times, please contact your respective school.

It is mandatory for all high school students to pick up a brand new Mastery-issued laptop, which includes a charger and case. Students and families will be required to review and sign the Mastery Technology Policy. This policy acknowledges the receipt of a Mastery-issued Chromebook and outlines the proper use of technology for school purposes only.

Students must bring their charged laptops to school every day, as these devices are essential for daily learning and coursework. Please be aware that there is a replacement fee of $100 for any broken or lost laptops. We strongly encourage students to take good care of their devices to avoid any additional costs.

We have updated our grading policy in school year 2024-2025 for students in grades 3-12 to ensure that grades accurately reflect student grade-level learning. This change comes in response to the learning loss experienced nationally during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite grades remaining relatively unchanged post-COVID. Our new policy will place a heavier emphasis on the accurate completion of work and will ensure that grades provide a true picture of students’ mastery of the material.

Key Points of the New Grading Policy:

• Accurate reflection of Mastery: Grades will now more accurately represent students’ understanding and proficiency in the material.
• Emphasis on work completion: Greater importance will be placed on the accurate and timely completion of assignments.
• Support for academic proficiency: This change aims to ensure that students develop the academic skills and work habits necessary for future success.

We are committed to partnering with you to provide accurate and timely information about your students’ performance.

If you have any specific questions or need further clarification regarding the grading system, feel free to email us at [email protected].