APPLY TODAY FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2026-2027
Mastery operates 18 schools in Philadelphia. Once you’ve decided which school/s you’re interested in, you can apply for enrollment using one of the approaches listed below.
Please note: Students must be five years of age on or before September 1, 2026, to be eligible for enrollment in kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Apply online: Applying to Mastery schools is easy and convenient through the new Apply Philly Charter website. Simply sign in or create an account and complete your application.
- Apply with the help of a Mastery enrollment specialist: Have questions about our schools or need help navigating the process? Complete and submit this form, and one of our enrollment specialists will reach out within 72 hours to answer questions and support you to submit an application.
- Apply by phone: If you don’t have an email address, access to the internet, or don’t speak one of the languages offered on Apply Philly Charter, you can apply over the phone by calling 1-800-891-3999.
- Apply in person: Contact the front desk at the school you wish to enroll your child to schedule a time to complete an application on-site.
If you applied for the 2026-2027 school year by the January 20 priority deadline, lottery results will be made available via the Apply Philly Charter portal on February 6. Learn more about the lottery process and the actions you need to take to secure your spot for next year here.
Please note: If you are seeking a seat for your child for the current school year (2025-2026), simply log in to Apply Philly Charter and click the “Apply for Current Year” button.
Applications submitted for the 2026-2027 school year through the current year application in Apply Philly Charter will not be processed, as applications must be submitted for the correct school year to be eligible.
Questions? If you have questions or experience issues, please email the enrollment support team at [email protected].
Key Dates
- September 19, 2025: Application period opens
- January 20, 2026: Priority deadline for inclusion in the Apply Philly Charter lottery
- January 21 to February 22, 2026: Apply Philly Charter pauses acceptance of school year 2026-2027 applications. Applications for the current school year (2025-2026) can still be submitted during this period.
- February 4, 2026: Apply Philly Charter lottery takes place
- February 6, 2026: Families are notified about lottery results
- February 23, 2026: Apply Philly Charter reopens to accept applications for school year 2026-2027 on a rolling basis until all seats are filled.
About Our Schools
At Mastery Schools, students receive an outstanding education, the opportunity to participate in sports and extracurricular programs, and support to pursue their dreams and succeed after graduation. Our schools are free, public charter schools serving grades K-12.
We have both neighborhood schools and schools with citywide admission. Across all schools, we give preference to students with siblings currently attending the school they are applying to.
Use our school finder to determine the Mastery schools your child is eligible to attend and learn more about the schools below.
Primary
Clymer Elementary serves students in the Hartranft/Fairhill area who live in the school’s attendance zone within the 19133 zip code. The school cannot enroll students living outside of its attendance zone, even if they reside within the listed 19133 zip code. Learn more.
Frederick Douglass Elementary serves students in North Philadelphia who live in the school’s attendance zone within the 19121 zip code. The school cannot enroll students living outside of its attendance zone, even if they reside within the listed 19121 zip code. Learn more.
Grover Cleveland Elementary serves students in the Nicetown/Tioga area who live in the school’s attendance zone within the 19140 zip code. The school cannot enroll students living outside of its attendance zone, even if they reside within the listed 19140 zip code. Learn more.
Any student living in Philadelphia is eligible to apply for the lottery at Hardy Williams Elementary. Learn more.
Harrity Elementary serves students in Southwest Philadelphia who live in the school’s attendance zone within the 19143 zip code. The school cannot enroll students living outside of its attendance zone, even if they reside within the listed 19143 zip code. Learn more.
Mann Elementary serves students in West Philadelphia who live in the school’s attendance zone within the 19131 zip code. The school cannot enroll students living outside of its attendance zone, even if they reside within the listed 19131 zip code. Learn more.
Any student living in Philadelphia is eligible to apply for the lottery at Mastery Prep Elementary. First preference, however, is given to students living in the 19140 zip code. This is so we can serve as a neighborhood school, per our charter. Learn more.
Pastorius-Richardson Elementary serves students in the Germantown community who live in the school’s attendance zones within the zip codes of 19144 and 19138. The school cannot enroll students living outside of its attendance zone, even if they reside within the listed 19144 and 19138 zip codes. Learn more.
Smedley Elementary serves students in the Frankford area who live in the school’s attendance zone within the 19124 zip code. The school cannot enroll students living outside of its attendance zone, even if they reside within the listed 19124 zip code. Learn more.
Any student living in Philadelphia is eligible to apply for the lottery at Thomas Elementary. First preference, however, is given to students living within the 19148 zip code, followed by students living within zip codes 19145, 19146, and 19147, followed by all other applicants. This is so we can serve as a neighborhood school, per our charter. Learn more.
John Wister Elementary serves students in the 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. Learn more.
Secondary
Gratz Prep Middle serves students who reside in the Simon Gratz High School attendance zone. Preference is given to students who attend Clymer Elementary, Dr. Tanner G. Duckrey Public School, Edward T. Steel School, Grover Cleveland Elementary, Kenderton Elementary, Mary McLeod Bethune School, and to those with siblings already enrolled at Gratz Prep Middle. If space allows, a lottery is run each year to fill remaining seats. Learn more.
All students residing in Philadelphia are eligible to apply for the lottery at Hardy Williams High School. Preference is given to current Hardy Williams Elementary and Harrity Elementary students, and students with siblings currently attending the school. Learn more.
All students residing in Philadelphia are eligible to apply for the lottery at Lenfest Campus. Preference is given to current Smedley Elementary students and students with siblings currently attending the school. Learn more.
All students residing in Philadelphia are eligible to apply for the lottery at Pickett Campus. Preference is given to current John Wister Elementary and John B. Kelly Elementary students and students with siblings currently attending the school. Learn more.
All students residing in Philadelphia are eligible to apply for the lottery at Shoemaker Campus. Preference is given to current students of Mann Elementary and Bluford Elementary, as well as to students with siblings currently attending the school. Learn more.
Simon Gratz High School serves students in the North Philadelphia area. Students who live within the school’s attendance zone, as well as those currently attending the schools listed below, are eligible for priority admission. If any seats remain available after priority admission, a lottery will be held to fill those spots. Learn more.
- Clymer Elementary
- Dr. Tanner G. Duckrey Public School
- Edward T. Steel School
- Grover Cleveland Elementary
- Kenderton Elementary
- Mary McLeod Bethune School
All students residing in Philadelphia are eligible to apply for the lottery at Thomas Campus. Preference is given to students who reside within the 19148 zip code, followed by students who reside within the 19145, 19146, and 19147 zip codes, and students with siblings currently attending the school. This is so we can serve as a neighborhood school, per our charter. Learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
All students living in Philadelphia are eligible to enter lotteries for admission to the following Mastery schools: Hardy Williams Elementary, Hardy Williams High School, Lenfest Campus, Mastery Prep Elementary, Pickett Campus, Shoemaker Campus, Gratz Prep Middle, Simon Gratz High School, Thomas Campus, and Thomas Elementary.
Admission to Mastery neighborhood schools is granted on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to students who live within the school’s attendance zone. Neighborhood schools include Clymer Elementary, Frederick Douglass Elementary, Grover Cleveland Elementary, Harrity Elementary, Mann Elementary, Pastorius-Richardson Elementary, Smedley Elementary, and Wister Elementary. Please use our school finder to identify your neighborhood preference zone where you will get priority when you apply.
Across all schools, we give preference to students with siblings currently attending the school they are applying to.
Students do not have to take an entrance exam or meet academic requirements to attend Mastery schools.
Mastery serves students in grades K-12.
No. All of our schools are free public schools.
Like all other public schools in Philadelphia, we do not provide bus transportation to kindergarten students. Students in grades 1-12 receive a free SEPTA Fare Card to commute to school if they live more than 1.5 miles away from the school they are attending. Door-to-door bus service is also available for IEP students who require it. Students at elementary schools serving children from across the city (Mastery Prep Elementary, Hardy Williams Elementary, and Mann Elementary) may qualify for bus transportation if they are in grades 1-6 and live more than 1.5 miles away from the school. Families should contact the school they are interested in attending for more information and confirmation of services.
All Mastery schools provide free breakfast and lunch.
This varies by school. Please contact the school that you are interested in for details.
Arrival and dismissal times vary by school, but all schools start between 7:30 AM and 8:05 AM and end between 3:10 PM and 3:15 PM. Please contact the school that you are interested in for more specific details.
Mastery schools offer over 200 extracurricular activities and enrichment programs, including basketball, cheerleading, student government, and robotics. Activities vary by campus. Please contact the school you are interested in for more details about offerings.
We believe school uniforms promote pride and community while fostering professionalism and presentation skills in students. Uniforms must be worn neatly, in the appropriate size, and cover undergarments. Please contact the school you are interested in for more details about uniform requirements and vouchers.
If you have additional questions or experience any issues as you try to enroll, please contact the Mastery school you’re applying to directly via phone or email or email our enrollment support team at [email protected].