Honoring the Philadelphia School on its Forty-Year Anniversary for continuing its unique commitment to excellence in education and cultivating lifelong learners with pride in their city and country.

WHEREAS, Founded in 1972, the Philadelphia School is a coeducational, nonsectarian independent school educating children from preschool through eighth grade. They have a proud tradition to progressive education that encourages diversity in their student body and teachers and have maintained a steadfast commitment to encouraging middle-class families to stay in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Their mission, as a progressive school and vibrant learning community, is to educate the character and intellect of children. They work to inspire their students to become engaged citizens who are critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, and lifelong learners; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia School's core values are emblematic of how we desire all our children to be taught. Their innovative stance values a relational and constructivist model to learning that places emphasis on a developmental perspective for how an individual child learns best and pieces together the world around them

; and

WHEREAS, At the Philadelphia School, the importance of diversity is closely linked to their commitment to progressive education. They believe that progressive education fosters critical, empathetic, and socially engaged intelligence. A diverse community best fosters this kind of intelligence. Students who are conversant with difference learn to think in more complex and ethically responsive ways. As a result, they are better able to participate effectively in their communities to achieve a common good. They believe that when students of varied backgrounds, abilities, and identities share a classroom, all are the beneficiaries; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia School's founders set out to create a professionally run school guided by the following ideas: use the vast resources of the city of Philadelphia in meaningful ways, facilitate direct and frequent experience with the natural world, foster creativity and innovation, respond to new developments in education, set high academic standards, celebrate joyful learning, and respect and educate the whole child; and

WHEREAS, Nearly four decades later, The Philadelphia School continues to succeed at these goals. Their original vision of a City Country Classroom endures and they have grown from 14 children to 385; from rented rooms in Rodeph Shalom Synagogue on Broad Street to our own facility on Lombard Street and are here to stay; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize the incredible impact The Philadelphia School has had on 40 years of students, honor its commitment to critical thinking, appreciation for the natural world, love of city and country and a passion for learning.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to The Philadelphia School as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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