Hardy Williams High has been selected as the launch site for an innovative program co-developed by Mastery Schools and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and supported by a nearly $20 million investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies. 

This exciting news was announced at a press conference on Friday, April 5, 2024, in partnership with CHOP and Bloomberg representatives and local elected officials who have long supported Mastery’s efforts to increase postsecondary opportunities for students in Philadelphia.

The program, which will kick off in September 2025 and serve approximately 620 students in grades 7-12 at capacity, will offer robust academic programming, specialized healthcare classes, work-based learning, and the opportunity to earn industry-valued credentials and certifications along with a traditional high school diploma so that students can transition directly into high-demand healthcare jobs at CHOP upon graduation. Career pathways associated with the program include clinical care, hospital operations, and healthcare administration.

“Preparing students to pursue their dreams and achieve postsecondary success is core to everything we do at Mastery Schools. By equipping students with the knowledge, experience, and confidence they need to enter the workforce and guaranteeing job placement with one of Philadelphia’s top-ranked employers, this partnership will benefit our students, families, and communities in meaningful ways for years to come. ” – Dr. Joel D. Boyd, CEO of Mastery Schools

Amid these changes, Hardy Williams High will continue to be a city-wide admission charter school, enrolling approximately 50% of families from within its prescribed catchment area in West and Southwest Philadelphia and 50% from across the city.

Use the links below to learn more.

• Watch the press conference announcement
• This Philly high school is getting $20 million to train thousands of students to get jobs at CHOP, Philadelphia Inquirer
• A Southwest Philly high school is partnering with CHOP to guarantee jobs for graduates, WHYY
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s healthcare high school to open in 2025, Becker’s Hospital Review
• Mastery Schools, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Announce Innovative Healthcare High School to Address Local Healthcare Workforce Shortages with Support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Street Insider
• Mastery Schools, CHOP Launch Healthcare High School with Bloomberg Aid, Mirage News

Special thanks to the many special guests and elected officials who joined us for this historic announcement. Pictured above from left to right:

• Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, City of Philadelphia
• Dr. Debora Carrera, Chief Education Officer, City of Philadelphia
• Representative Joanna McClinton, PA Speaker of the House
• Dr. Joel D. Boyd, CEO, Mastery Schools
• Elizabeth Polk, Student, Hardy Williams High
• Madeline Bell, President and CEO, CHOP
• Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, City of Philadelphia
• Justin Meltzer, Principal, Hardy Williams High
• Howard Wolfson, Education Program Lead, Bloomberg Philanthropies