ACADEMY AT PALUMBO HIGH SCHOOL

At a Glance

Principal
Kiana L. Thompson | E-mail

Assistant Principal
Charmelia D. Bond | E-mail

Phone: 215-400-8130
Fax: 215-400-8131

Student Enrollment: 1,230

Address:
1100 Catharine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

SEPTA Routes:
32, 45, 64, C, 27, 47, Broad St. Subway

Mission & Approach to Learning

As an academic liberal arts magnet school, the clear mission of The Academy at Palumbo is to provide our students with the most comprehensive and intense preparation available in the public sector for the rigors of higher learning. As an integral part of this preparation, The Academy’s mission includes raising the aspirations of each student, developing universally applicable problem solving techniques, technological skills, and instilling a life-long passion for learning including a rich cultural arts experience.

Our History & Alma Mater

Our History

The Academy @ Palumbo held its grand opening on September 12, 2006. CEO Paul Vallas, South Region Superintendent John Frangipani, and CAO Gregory Thorton attended. Students entered in a procession with glow sticks to illuminate the hall. Afterwards the students sang “Imagine”. Later, Paul Vallas, John Frangipani, Gregory Thorton, Dr. Latoiya Bailey and Dr. Adrienne Wallace-Chew gave inspirational speeches to commence our first school year.

Alma Mater

We gather here today to claim our victory,
silver, teal, and black strong for eternity.
Our griffin is in flight, my guide protecting me.
Lessons that we learned are now a part of me
and it’s all I need so when I stand alone,
I have these memories to strengthen and to comfort me.
Everywhere I go, one thing I know…
I’ll always have a place, a very, very special place…
deep in my heart…
For the Academy at Palumbo High!!!

-2009 by Uriel H. Wallace, III

Points of Pride

  • #1 School Climate among Philadelphia High Schools according to District’s SPR
  • Ranked nationally among best high schools in the state according to U.S. News & World Report
  • Active Home and School Association
  • National Honor Society; WHYY Flash Media grant awardee
  • National Moot Court Finalists
  • All-City Choir and Orchestra Members
  • Youth Women’s Symposium
  • VIEW with Villanova
  • PIAA Girls Volleyball Champions
  • PIAA Boys Volleyball Champions
  • Produced full musicals
  • Philly Slam League 4-time poetry champions
  • Teacher Leader Collaborative Grant winner, Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders
  • 2nd place in state chess championship, 2018
  • National competitor in speech & debate

What We Offer

Courses & Program Highlights

  • African American History
  • Art (2D, 3D, Drawing)
  • Biology
  • Calculus AB
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese
  • Comparative Government
  • Computer Science A
  • Computer Science Principles
  • English Language & Composition
  • English Literature & Composition
  • European History
  • Government & Politics
  • Music Theory
  • Pre-Calculus
  • Physics B
  • Psychology
  • Spanish Language
  • Statistics
  • U.S. History
  • Dual Enrollment: On-site dual enrollment program through Arcadia University & Harrisburg University

Extracurricular Activities

  • Actors Studio
  • Adventure Club
  • Asian Culture Club
  • Black Student Union
  • Book Club
  • Charity Club
  • Cheer Team
  • Chess Club
  • Climbing Club
  • Coding Club
  • Debate/Speech Club (Forensics)
  • Environmental Club
  • Ethics Bowl
  • Fiber Arts Club
  • Griffin Ambassadors
  • GSA
  • K-Pop Club
  • Muslim Students Assoc.
  • News Team
  • National Honor Society
  • Poetry Team
  • Robotics Team
  • Rock Band
  • Rubiks Cube Club
  • Science Olympiad
  • Tabletop Club
  • Video Game Club

Sports Teams

  • Badminton
  • Baseball
  • Basketball—Boys and Girls
  • Crew
  • Cross-Country
  • Football
  • Girls Flag Football
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse—Boys and Girls
  • Soccer—Boys and Girls
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Track and Field—Boys and Girls
  • Volleyball—Boys and Girls
  • Wrestling

Partnerships

  • Beat the Streets
  • Fearless Athletics
  • Fox Chase Cancer Center
  • Lantern Theater and Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition
  • Mazzoni Center
  • Moonstone Daycare
  • Phila. Gay Men’s Chorus
  • Philadelphia Dance Foundation
  • Philadelphia Young Playwrights
  • PRIME Financial Literacy for girls
  • Prime Movers Journalism at Temple University
  • SEED Program
  • University of Pennsylvania School of Law
  • Women of Tomorrow

Admission Criteria

  • Grades: As and Bs
  • Attendance: 95%
  • Standardized Test: 65th Percentile in ELA and
    65th Percentile in Math