First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School

Posted: November 11, 2023

Another student cut my child’s arm with a weapon and I was told “girls will be girls” by the assistant principal at the time. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN 3RD GRADE! I was then told to quit my job to homeschool my child if I am that worried LOL. My daughter had to say she was scared in order for me even to be seen. I ended up moving and sending my child to another school out of fear for her physical and mental health. Parents and students are very wild at this school. No thank you!

Posted: November 11, 2023

Posted: November 11, 2023

Posted: November 11, 2023

Posted: November 11, 2023

Posted: November 11, 2023

Posted: November 11, 2023

Posted: June 20, 2023

Horrible! My kids are traumatized by the violence inside this building. Both my kids lasted 6 months and I had to sign papers to get them out to save them. Be ready to receive calls for the nurse because of beating and black eye. And if the beating is in the stomach and not noticeable they wont call you or let you know about your child wellbeing. My kids were afraid to enter this building. There is no control and they don't follow their own policy. You will never get to meet who is in charge and staff put scary faces when you ask to talk to the principal as if the principal was untouchable and unreachable. Class will be disrupted daily by a group of kids cursing at teachers and throwing chairs. Grades are downgraded by class behavior not by kids at fault. So if 15 kids disrupt class and the others are just waiting, they all get F's with no exception. This charter School is worst than a public school.

Posted: June 20, 2023

Posted: June 20, 2023

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Posted: June 20, 2023

Posted: June 20, 2023

Posted: April 24, 2023

School is horrible. Been their for 7 years. Teachers couldn't care less. They stop teaching how to spell words in the 4th grade. Im in 9th now and I still have problems spelling words to this day. Asked teachers for help with division. They never helped me. One kid didn't like me so he lied to the principle and said I did something (Forgot what it was this was 4 to 5 years ago) Principle said he saw me do it on the cameras even tho I never did anything. Teacher in 3rd grade cursed me and another student out. When I told the principle what happened he gave me and the other student detenshon for lying and said he checked the cameras. When I was in Kidingarden a 3rd grader slamed a medal lunch box accros my face and choked me. The teachers and other staff tryed to hide what happend by saying that the lunch room was too full to see what happend, Yeah sure. Teacher threw away my work sheets and gave me 0's cause I drew on the back of a work sheet that was blank, I was 6. Fights happen often. Like ones a month. kid broke my glasses, never paid for them, I got susspend he was praised for standing up to bullies. What did I do? I said he couldnt play soccer cause the teams were full and resess was almost over. Kid in 4th grade punched me in the nose, and as it bled the teacher told be not to be a snitch. I could ramble on and on, on how bad this school is but its just the same thing. Teachers and staff not careing and letting kids do what ever they want. And it wasnt just me. This happend to every student. When I was in 5th grade a student made fun of me cause my dad died a week ago. I told the teacher and she said that since the studnent didnt phisically hurting me that I was snitching and threatend to explell me. Please If your a parent who is reading this and are thinking of sending your kid to this school, please dont. If you want to see them happy send them so a school where they care.

Posted: April 24, 2023

Posted: April 24, 2023

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Posted: September 18, 2021

this school is TERRIBLE i’ve been at fp for 9 years and have never been to another school… needless to say it’s HORRIBLE. the dean does nothing to help discipline kids and they have a who unknown definition of bullying. during the first two weeks of school there were 4 fist fights. NEVER send your kids here, they will be miserable.

Posted: September 18, 2021

Posted: September 18, 2021

Posted: September 18, 2021

Posted: September 18, 2021

Posted: September 18, 2021

Posted: September 18, 2021

Posted: September 18, 2021

Posted: April 3, 2019

Posted: April 3, 2019

Posted: April 3, 2019

Posted: April 3, 2019

Posted: April 3, 2019

Posted: April 3, 2019

My 6th grader rarely gets homework assignment and teachers rarely utilize the class dojo app to keep parents in the loop. This year has been very disappointing and I feel this school is hendering my child's educational progress. Something has to change.

Posted: April 3, 2019

2 out of 10 needs alot of improvement

Posted: September 9, 2018

Posted: September 9, 2018

Posted: September 9, 2018

Posted: September 9, 2018

Horrible. My high school student said there is a fight everyday. My middle school student said the older student bullies the younger ones. My Elementary student is scared of her teacher because she said her teacher yells all day and tells them to shut up. Last year there were 6 threats. Most were students fighting and saying they were coming up there to shoot the students and teachers. Once the news was up there. This school was the biggest mistake I have ever made.

Posted: September 9, 2018

Posted: September 9, 2018

Posted: September 9, 2018

Posted: August 19, 2018

Posted: August 19, 2018

Posted: August 19, 2018

Posted: August 19, 2018

Posted: August 19, 2018

Posted: August 19, 2018

Posted: August 19, 2018

I would rate this school an eight out of 10. My children have attended this school for 6 years and I’ve been very happy with their curriculum and learning style.

Posted: August 16, 2018

If i had to give it a 1 to 10 probably a 5

Posted: August 16, 2018

They give to much homework out my son is suppose to be lerning all day it's hard to get them to do more work.

Posted: August 16, 2018

Posted: August 16, 2018

They have not did that much for my son and he's having a hard time with reading

Posted: August 16, 2018

Posted: November 29, 2017

Posted: November 29, 2017

Posted: November 29, 2017

Posted: November 29, 2017

The code of conduct is not held up and kids know there are no real consequences so behavior is horrible I can not wait to leave this school!

Posted: November 29, 2017

Posted: November 29, 2017

Posted: November 29, 2017

Posted: August 23, 2017

Posted: August 23, 2017

Posted: August 23, 2017

Posted: August 23, 2017

Posted: August 23, 2017

Posted: August 23, 2017

This school is wonderful my daughter even loves it

Posted: October 5, 2016

Posted: October 5, 2016

Posted: October 5, 2016

My daughter has attended for 4 years. Our experience has been good. No school is perfect but this school offers many activities and provides a safe environment condusive to learning. They have gym and an extensive library and other things that are not present in many other schools in the school district.

Posted: April 27, 2015

In my opinion all schools are what you make of them. This school provides inner city children a wonderful safe campus to foster a love of learning. I was grateful that my daughter was selected by lottery for kindergarten class two years ago. They take the students on almost monthly field trips. Wonderful library that they borrow books from on a weekly basis. It's a great school!

Posted: October 6, 2014

My daughter has attended this school for 2 years I love the school There are about 800 people every year trying and praying to get chosen through the lottery to all the people who have negative things to say about the school and teachers give up your spot and go to your neighborhood school

Posted: February 7, 2014

This school is great, our pricipal is okay and ms Mccoy is one of the best people ive ever incontered! So whatever parents think that our school/ staff is horrible, i come here everyday , and i love them. We all are like one big family

Posted: January 22, 2014

Rude, inconsiderate , unprofessional, mrs. Mccoy should be demoted. Do not know howvto talk to children. Mrs. Arcarol always claims she will handle it but it goes dismissed.

Posted: October 5, 2013

Not as great as I thought. This is my daughter's first year here and I am not impressed at all. Her teacher is not approachable at all. My daughter learned more from her preschool than she does in here.

Posted: September 26, 2013

My child is doing wonderfully attending this school. Her grades are fabulous. And her PSSA scores from last year were out of this world!!

Posted: August 15, 2013

It's a wonderful brand new modern facility , incredible clean , very well organized, teachers are well educated and experts in their fields. My son is very happy to go every day and learn from his teachers education, manners, music, physical education and socializing. He comes every day with new exiting stories and great experiences. That is very important for me as a parent, that he wake up happy to know that he is going to a magical place.

Posted: August 15, 2013

My first opinion of the school was, wow republicans are really doing their thing for the children. I'm a child care provider and valuing a child education is important. Sometimes the quality of a school of a child effects the help a child receives at home. It does my heart good as someone who loves and works with children to see a school where this effect is taking place.

Posted: August 14, 2013

My child is enrolled in the Devaraux campus, recently relocated to Bustleton Ave. I understand that this branch has just recently been added but the moving and relocating has become something of an issue, the communication between the staff and the parents is lacking. Almost all school functions and any other parent/teacher occasion that goes on seems to be put together very last minute or at least the notifications given to parents is. Giving working parents only a few days (2 to 3) notice to schedule a meeting or meet the staff is not enough time, they need to remember that most if not all workplaces request ample time (a week or more) notice for a day off or even an early leave. It's hard enough that the school has 35 days off this year alone along with 15 half days. That's a ton of time off! not many people are able to say they even have half that time accured in vacation/sick time an then to schedule all other functions before 6 is just asking a lot from the parents and seems a bit unfair since most will not be able to participate.

Posted: August 13, 2013

I have 2 high school age children that have attended this school from K-8th grades, and I have had a wonderful experience with both of my girls! Although they are making new friends at their new high school, they have an amazing group of friends they met, and grew up with from this school. A very diversified and intelligent group of kids, and I am proud of my girls for having such great friends. These children all share an amazing value system and have learned the importance of staying true to that. I credit the school, in part, for these kid's healthy and accepting views of other people and life circumstances. Not only did this school perform accademically for the children, but the teachers and counselors and other faculty, know each and every child by name, and establish working relationships with the parents. I now have a young child that is in 1st grade at First Philadelphia, and I look forward to his following years to come, the friends he will make, and the wonerful opportunities that will come his way from following the guidance of the school. Hard work is well rewarded and self-esteem is worked on daily!!! I recommend this school!!!!!

Posted: August 10, 2013

So far so good! Although I wish the school were a bit less corparatized, I still love that they include art, music, gym/sports and language arts as important components in learning and development. Though my son is still little, I can't wait for him to grow and experience the many clubs and extracurricular activities the school offers. As for supposed racial issues, I must say that this school is one of the most diverse schools I have ever seen and all the children get along great for the most part. The energy is young and sharp, and I like that they expect a lot from my child.

Posted: July 31, 2013

My children attend this school for 8 years absolutely love it !! love the teachers all the programs after school , the safety of the school I truly recommended the best school in the area .

Posted: June 6, 2013

I have two children that have attended first Philly and in the beginning I loved the school. The principal knew the students by name, was friendly, and very involved. As time went on the principle was promoted to start a new school and that's when things went DOWN.. A new dean was appointed. He had worked in the prison system and attempted to conduct the school as such. Children and parents don't have a voice and parents are not allowed to be involved. The teachers are young minded, inpatient, and bring personal issues to work. I knew all their buisness from who was getting divorced to worker rivalries. The new principal is not involved and has no interest in the children and is clearly their to collect a paycheck and move up the Paridagm Money Making Ladder. The raised tons of money for the school to have a salad bar for healthy eating and has yet to set it up and there only excuse is that the don't have anyone to run it. (HUNH??) The curriculm is okay but they only teach to the test. The upper grades music teacher is the Best!! A lot of the teachers are racist and one sided. You will have no voice or control over the proper treatment of your child especially if your a minority.

Posted: May 22, 2013

This is the first year my daughter attended First Philadelphia Charter. She cam from Saint Martin of Tours which was very expensive and the staff was not friendly and her teacher did not have patience with any of the students. I love her first grade teacher she is wonderful and my daughter looks forward to going to school everyday. My daughter struggles with reading and First Philadelphia offers tutoring to help my daughter improve with her reading and as a result she has made great improvements throughout the year. This is a wonderful school my daughter is looking forward to 2nd grade.

Posted: May 2, 2013

It is such a beautiful school I am a proud mother of a student of this schooll

Posted: April 1, 2013

I think First Philadelphia iis a great school, my grandson is in their reading club, and has went up 5 reading levels since December. Great Job to Mrs. Volpe & her staff.....

Posted: September 23, 2012

Alright, So I am a student at First Philadelphia Charter School For Literacy and i would recommend this school but don't expect anything spectacular except for expensive uniforms, a lot of fundraising for our 8th grade trip to italy this year. Now i've gotten to know every teacher in the entire school and some of them are the best ever about 3/4 the other 1/4 are just fill in's from teachers that have just given birth (we have 5 pregnant teachers this year ) we normally have a lot of subs everyday. In kindergarten my teacher had given birth to her first child. I had a sub the first half of the year. Now, yes we have an excellent basketball and flag football team very good poets. The only way to express your individuality is on dress down days every other friday that we have to pay a dollar for to "fundraise." Now, my favorite teacher got promoted to dean of our "sister" school Taconey academy and then they screwed her over.. she's presently teaching at another charter school in west philly. She loves it there. I rated this school average and that's exactly what it is.

Posted: June 14, 2012

My son is going into 2nd grade. The staff, teachers, & administrators have always been helpful, pleasant, and "EASY" to get in touch with. My son is very happy and loves going to school. He is reading a grade level above his & is challenged. There is good communication about behavior as well as expectations. The children are held responsible for their actions& there are standards, which I feel is a good thing. The principal has always been pleasant and smiles to greet parents. There are not alot of opportunities for parents to be in the classroom, however too much involvement can be a distraction. But I am always comfortable contacting his teachers and asking questions about his daily routine etc.

Posted: June 13, 2012

Parents be very careful when sending your child to this school! I ignored the reviews from previous parents based on the very strict discipline, needless to say your child may be sent to the dean for frivolous things such as laughing, playing or even crying! and my child is a second grader..lastly the principal isn't friendly she doesn't even greet the parents in the morning with a hello! she just stares while drinking a cup of coffee! and just for the record they willingly accept minorities just to keep their quotas up..but rest a sure,,they really don't want any there especially the latinos..seeing is believing!