Simon Gratz High School - Mastery Charter School

Alert

PHILADELPHIA: Beginning Monday, May 23, all Mastery Philadelphia schools and offices will return to universal indoor masking. This also applies to students when they are riding on school buses and vans.

CAMDEN: Masking guidance in New Jersey has yet to change. Mastery Camden schools and offices will remain “mask optional” for the time being. Please note, that Camden’s community transmission rate is at the “HIGH” level and the New Jersey Department of Health recommends, but does not require, indoor masking.

Your Neighborhood School in Nicetown/Tioga

At Simon Gratz High School, you graduate with more than a diploma. Students have the opportunity to earn college credits and industry certifications – preparing them to enter college or start their career after high school. Their choice.

Gratz may be known around Philadelphia for our championship sports teams, but THE REAL GRATZ is about so much more.  We have a STEM Honors program, AP classes and dual enrollment. Our sophomores complete an internship experience to gain valuable real-world work skills. We have more than 25 extracurricular activities and electives, including art, drafting & design and band. We offer Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes in communications technology, health care technology and hospitality management & culinary arts.

Our school spirit and sense of community are palpable. Everyone – students and staff alike – genuinely care about each other and want to see all Bulldogs thrive.

1,025

Students

9-12

Grades

1:1

Computers

Our School

Our academically rigorous program prepares all students for success after graduation.

  • Varied Courses
    • Range of courses from introductory to college level
    • AP classes give students the opportunity to earn college credits
    • STEM Honors Program
  • College and Career Prep
    • Sophomores complete an 18-week internship
    • Seniors go on college visits, take a senior seminar course, get assistance applying for scholarships & loans and support with the college application process
    • Students graduate with a plan to enter college, the workforce or a pathway of their choice

Special Education Programming

    • We provide comprehensive special education programming to meet the individualized needs of each child, including:
      • Individualized Education Plans
      • Academic Interventions
      • Low Incidence Programs  (Autistic Support, Multiple Disabilities, Life Skills)
      • Emotional Support
      • English as a Second Language (ESL)
      • Psychological and Social Services

Simon Gratz students have tons of sports, clubs and extracurricular activities to choose from, including:

  • Art Club
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cheerleading
  • Comic Book Club
  • Cross Country
  • Dance
  • Debate Team
  • Drama Club
  • Drum Line
  • Fashion Club
  • Gay-Straight Alliance
  • Hip Hop & Rap Production
  • Journalism
  • Livewire Dance Crew
  • National Honor Society
  • Open Mic
  • Pick-up Basketball
  • Photography  and Film Club
  • Poetry Slam Team
  • Robotics
  • Rugby
  • Student Government
  • Track and Field
  • Video Game Club
  • Volleyball
  • Weightlifting
  • Yearbook Club
  • Yoga Club

We’re a member of the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) within the District XII Public League. Our Bulldogs football team won the district divisional (5A) championship game for four years in a row! (2018,2017, 2016 and 2015).  Our boys basketball won the (6A) district championship (2020).

  • The STEM Honors program at Simon Gratz prepares students for college and the workforce through a rigorous, hands-on program rooted in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills and concepts.
  • Students learn critical and creative thinking skills, communication and collaboration and real-world problem-solving.
  • Students who are accepted to the program participate in various opportunities that accelerate their learning, such as engaging summer programs, dual enrollment and STEM enrichment activities.

Career & Technical Education

This isn’t the old school wood shop class. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs of today are teaching teens everything from how to code and edit video to how to manage restaurants and prepare patients for medical exams. These programs are preparing students for the fastest growing jobs of the future – no matter if they choose to go to college or start their career right after graduation.

Why CTE?

Career Exploration

  • Students can discover new interests, cultivate gifts and talents, and find a career they love with hands-on training.
  • Many of the fastest-growing jobs are in CTE fields like health care and IT.

College & Career Preparation

  • Earn industry-recognized certifications and graduate ready for well-paying careers.
  • Earn college credits while still in high school.

Students who complete CTE classes have higher graduation and college completion rates than their peers.

How long is the program?

  • The program is three years, starting in 10th grade and running until graduation in 12th grade.

Who can apply?

Is your student an incoming 10th grader who wants to gain more real world experience before graduation? Our CTE programs will let you take classes during the day that prepare you for a career in the area you choose- not only will you learn things about that job, you’ll actually get to DO things related to that job. The three programs we currently offer are Health Technology (learn about the medical fields, practice medical techniques, prepare for a healthcare job), Culinary Arts (learn food safety and how to cook and run a restaurant business), and Communications Technology (learn photography, web design, sound mixing, and video editing). Accepted students will take classes in their chosen area from 10-12 grade and have the opportunity to graduate with not only a diploma but also college credits and industry certifications. Apply here:  www.bit.ly/GratzCTEapp

CTE Programs

Communications Technology

Web and graphic design. Video production. Photography. Animation. These are just some of the skills students will learn in our Communications Technologies program.

Students in this program will graduate ready to work in the field of multimedia technology – which includes everything from creating video content to repairing computers.

In addition to industry certifications, students in this program can earn up to two college credits for Arts & Humanities courses.

Industry Certification(s):

      • Adobe Photoshop
      • Adobe Illustrator
      • Final Cut Pro

Career Opportunities

Advanced Certificate:

      • Computer Support Specialist

Associate’s Degree:

      • Telecommunications Equipment Installer
      • Computer Support Associate
      • Television/Movie Equipment Operator
      • Sound Technologist

Bachelor’s Degree:

      • Software Developer
      • Applications Developer
      • Web Developer
      • Computer Systems Administrator
      • Television/Movie Producer
      • Graphic Designer
      • Print Shop Operator

Healthcare Technology

Many of today’s fastest-growing jobs are in the health care industry. Students in the Health Care Technology program will learn the fundamentals of health care, including how to use basic medical equipment, treat injuries and work in a lab.

Foundational classes will be in a traditional classroom setting, but as students advance through the program, they will begin working in a real-life clinical setting.

In addition to industry certifications, students in this program can earn one college credit for science and ½ college credit for health education.

Industry Certification(s):

      • Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED
      • Youth Mental Health
      • HIPPA
      • Certified Nursing Assistant

Career Opportunities

Advanced Certificate:

      • Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
      • Pharmacy Technician
      • Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPN)
      • Medical Records and Health Information Technician
      • Nursing Assistant
      • Dental Assistant
      • Medical Assistant
      • Phlebotomist

Associate’s Degree:

      • Respiratory Therapist
      • Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician
      • Dental Hygienist
      • Radiologic Technician

Bachelor’s Degree:

      • Registered Nurse
      • Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist

Graduate Degree:

      • Nurse Practitioner
      • Medical Doctor

Hospitality Management & Culinary Arts

Does your child dream of becoming a chef? If so, our Hospitality Management & Culinary Arts program is a perfect fit!

It prepares students to work in a variety of food service industry jobs, teaching them everything from food prep and menu planning to food safety and dining room operations.

In addition to industry certifications, students in this program can earn one college credit for humanities and ½ college credit for health education.

Industry Certification(s):

      • SP/2 – Culinary
      • ServSafe – Food Handling
      • ServSafe – Food Manager

Career Opportunities

Advanced Certificate:

      • Fry Cook
      • Line Cook
      • Fast Food Worker

Associate’s Degree:

      • Chef
      • Caterer
      • Fast Food/Franchise Restaurant Manager

Bachelor’s Degree:

      • Hotel Management
      • Event Planning
      • Chef
      • Food Consultant
      • Dietitian
      • Nutritionist

Graduate Degree:

      • Hotel General Manager
      • Food and Beverage Director

 

For questions about the CTE program contact Isobel Dewey at 215-704-3253.

Mask

All students will be required to wear masks while in the building as a part of their regular uniform.

 

Polos

All students will be required to wear a Simon Gratz Mastery polo shirt which can be purchased for $10. Each uniform shirt color is determined by grade as outlined below:.

9th Grade (Black), 10th Grade (Light Grey), 11th Grade (Red), 12th Grade (Charcoal Grey)

 

Outerwear

Students will be allowed to purchase quarter zips for $20 to wear as an option for uniform. If you are passing all of your classes and have earned perfect attendance the first month of school, you qualify for a free quarter zip.

 

Pants

Only plain solid black or navy blue pants without rips/holes and/or distressed/fraying are acceptable. The following pants are NOT acceptable: jeans, jeggings;  shorts; leather/faux-leather, sweat or exercise pants; pajama pants, colored, striped, designed or decorated pants; pants worn below the hips; torn, ripped or overly worn pants/faded pants; excessively large or skin tight pants including but not limited to jeggings, leggings, and tights.  

Families will be able to begin purchasing uniform tops starting Friday, August 20th during Student Orientation. 

 

ID CARDS, LANYARDS & ID CLIPS

Bringing your ID card to school will be mandatory this school year.  Students will be able to take their picture during orientation and will receive their IDs within the first week of school.

There is guaranteed enrollment at Simon Gratz High for students living in Gratz attendance zone (click here to see the attendance zone map) and students attending:  

  • Cleveland 
  • Clymer  
  • Kenderton 
  • Bethune 
  • Duckrey
  • Steel  

Students from schools not listed above and outside the Gratz attendance zone may also apply for the lottery, however they can only enroll if seats are available.

You must be enrolled first at Gratz to apply for the STEM Honors Program and CTE.  To apply to Gratz click here.

We are  excited to offer our Science Technology Engineering and Math program at Gratz for the 21-22. This program provides students with classes in computer science and robotics along with opportunities to tour colleges and see STEM professionals in action. If your student has a passion for STEM and would benefit from an accelerated curriculum please have them apply at the following link: https://bit.ly/gratzstem by July 31st– we currently have 1-2 openings per grade.

Life at Gratz

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In The News

Gratz on brink of perfect Public League regular season

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Three Mastery Schools Provide Hot Meals To Families On Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Weekend

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Simon Gratz head basketball coach Lynard Stewart has the Bulldogs playing at a high level

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Brotherhood, Honesty, Competitiveness: Gratz Rugby

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Our Team

Le’Yondo Dunn, Principal

[email protected]

Le’Yondo Dunn is the principal of Mastery Charter Simon Gratz High School. His passion for working in education stemmed from his own experiences, which mirrors many students attending Gratz. He is a firm believer that all students should have access to a high-quality education regardless of their zip codes.

Before becoming principal at Gratz, Mr. Dunn served as the school’s assistant principal of operations. Prior to joining Mastery, he worked as the director of operations at KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools and Green Dot Public Schools. He started his career in educational advocacy in his hometown of New Orleans.

Mr. Dunn attended the University of New Orleans where he received degrees in business administration and business management. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and keeping up with the latest music trends through his students.

 

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.

 

"There's a charter school called Mastery in Philadelphia. And in just two years, three of the schools that Mastery has taken over have seen reading and math levels nearly double - in some cases, triple...Now, if a school like Mastery can do it, every troubled school can do it."

-President Barack Obama