9-12 Charter High School
Vision statement:
Philadelphia Public Safety Charter High School, in partnerships with local public service agencies, will create an academically challenging curriculum, supported by the latest learning technologies, that connects all students to public safety careers of their choosing. Students will participate in an extended school day, internships in public-safety related fields, and make connections with area colleges and other post-secondary programs where they may continue their learning after graduation.
Graduating students will:
1. Have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to pursue careers in law enforcement, public safety, and the judicial system
2. Be prepared to pursue post-secondary education if they choose to do so
3. Be proficient in core academic skills of Reading, Writing, Math, Science and Social Studies
4. Have completed an internship in the public safety-related field of their choosing
5. Be aware of the many ways in which community agencies and organizations work together to strengthen neighborhoods and cities
6. Be physically healthy and fit to pursue careers that require physical engagement
7. Be conversant in a non-English world language such as Spanish or Chinese
8. Be skilled in communication, cooperation and collaboration and be able to work as a team member
9. Have completed coursework focused on the areas of fire, policing, emergency management, and law
The school will:
1. Emphasize critical thinking and problem solving in all aspects of the school
2. Emphasize cooperation and teamwork as a central theme of all aspects of the school
3. Provide high quality instruction from teachers and experts in the public safety field in academics and career areas
4. Provide project-based learning as a major component
5. Ensure that all students are physically fit and healthy
6. Provide meaningful connections to a variety of cultures in Philadelphia and around the world
7. Provide a career-vocational track for all students, with a requirement to choose a career “major” by the beginning of 11th grade
8. Require all students to participate and ultimately lead community service projects prior to graduation
9. Promote community problem solving by teaching all students public safety techniques such as information gathering, problem-oriented policing, victimology, and fire prevention
The mission of the Philadelphia Public Safety Charter High School is to reduce the harmful influence of crime and violence on the growth of young people in the City and surrounding areas by providing a high school that provides a safe, orderly environment centered on learning about and making direct connections to a variety of careers in public safety. PPSCS will prepare high school age students from Philadelphia to enter careers in public safety and security upon graduation, offering a world-class, standards-based, hands-on education that teaches the foundations of careers in policing, fire safety, emergency management techniques, and law. PPSCS will ensure that all of its students develop the skills and have the experiences needed to become successful leaders and stewards in their communities.
