John Wister Elementary - Mastery Charter School

Your Neighborhood School in East Germantown

Welcome to Wister Elementary! We’re a neighborhood elementary school serving over 500 students and their families in Kindergarten through 5th grade.

Wister offers children academic excellence in a fun, joyful environment. From math to music and reading to field trips, our students receive a well-rounded education from loving teachers and leaders.

We focus on 5 core values: respect, responsibility, hard work, teamwork and kindness.

Wister students have the opportunity to automatically attend our Pickett Campus for 6th – 12th grade, giving them a full K-12 Mastery experience.

At Wister, we believe all of our students have greatness within. With love and high expectations, we support them in finding their own paths to success.

Stop by and visit us any time!

500

Students

K-5

Grades

1:1

Computers

Our School

  • Students come to school excited to start their day, with their laptop in hand.  
  • The day starts with free breakfast.
  • Students are greeted by their teacher and head to their classroom for morning meeting.  
  • We value reading.  Students have at least 2-3 hours of reading where they work in small groups with the teacher.  
  • Students have classes in math, social studies, and science.
  • Students head back to the cafeteria to enjoy free lunch.
  • Afterwards, students enjoy free play or structured recess.
  • Students engage in art, physical education, music or Spanish. We are proud to educate the whole child at Mastery.
  • Once the school day is over, students may stay to participate in clubs or the aftercare program.  

Learn more about our K-12 Approach.

Wister offers a variety of after school activities and clubs.  Aftercare is available through local providers.

Some examples include:

  • Art Club
  • Basketball
  • Book Club
  • Cheerleading
  • Choir
  • Cooking Club
  • Games Club
  • Homework/Tutoring Club
  • Lego Club
  • Performing Arts
  • Reading Enrichment
  • Running Club
  • Step Club

John Wister Elementary serves students in the East Germantown community who live in the school’s attendance zone within the 19144 zip code.

The school cannot enroll students living outside of its attendance zone, even if they reside within the listed 19144 zip code.

Life at Wister

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Wister boy smiling on the carpet
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Our Team

Erica Smith is the principal of Mastery John Wister Elementary School. Ms. Smith is an active and passionate school leader who believes every child will achieve their goals and dreams with a great school!

Prior to being named Principal, Ms. Smith was the Assistant Principal of Specialized Services. Before joining the leadership team at Wister, Ms. Smith served as a Principal and science teacher in NYC. She also previously served as a special education lead case manager at Mastery’s Shoemaker Campus in West Philadelphia.

Ms. Smith earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education and Chemistry Education from Manhattanville College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Trinity College. She completed the School Leadership Program and earned her Principal’s Certification at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Smith has grown to truly love the Wister community and is proud to be partnering with families and the Wister staff to ensure students are learning and growing every day.

Our staff is available to support you and your child throughout their school experience. We are available to meet with families and answer questions via the email addresses listed here.