A look behind the scenes at two Philadelphia schools

For some adults, memories of elementary and middle school include visions of dark, dreary, gray hallways, overused textbooks and uninspired teachers. But students at the newly established Penn-Assisted School say those are just things of the past for them, too. The infant school -- officially known as the Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander University of Pennsylvania Partnership School -- first opened its doors at a temporary location in September 2001 to a limited number of students. It now houses about 225 students in the pre-K to second grades at its newly constructed facility and is set to expand through the eighth grade by September 2004, eventually reaching a population of 700 students. With its wide glass windows and three-story open atrium, administrators agree that the school is a welcoming environment, something of an oasis in a city known for its ailing public school system. Its 26 classrooms are equipped with sinks, television monitors and computers, and connected by halls with yellow, green and blue walls covered in student artwork. "The school is wide open, airy -- a lot of sunlight and a lot of glass," Principal Sheila Sydnor says. But physical improvements aren't the only thing the school has been working on. Launched amidst controversy surrounding the state's takeover of Philadelphia's school district and the subsequent privatization of about 20 of its ailing schools, the West Philadelphia school -- a joint effort by Penn, the Philadelphia School District and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers -- was intended as a model for urban education. While aided by Penn, the school has not been taken over by Edison. Its curriculum -- which includes Spanish, art and computer courses -- is "very hands-on and child-centered," according to Sydnor. The teachers encourage their students to venture outside the classroom, using the mini-ecosystem on the school's property as a tool to learn about environmental issues. "There is a lot of hands-on learning in science and math, as well as social studies," Sydnor says. "It's a great interaction between the kids and the adults." By 2004, administrators hope the student-teacher ratio will be 17 to one in kindergarten and 23 to one in the first through eighth grades. "For now, it's a phasing-in process to have the school grow culturally," Sydnor says. The school's students are all from the surrounding neighborhood and within walking distance -- its catchment spans the area between 40th and 47th and Sansom and Woodland streets. But its current student body represents about 19 countries, providing good cultural education and awareness, according to Sydnor. Amy Neukrug, whose daughter is a first grader at the school, says that she and her daughter have been pleased. "I don't think that you'd find a parent that's disenchanted," Neukrug says. "We really love the school. We're really happy." "It's big and newer, and there's no graffiti," explains one fifth-grader. The "Sadie School," as some students call it, has implemented a number of programs specifically toward this purpose. Older students act as "safeties," helping the little ones cross the street. "We watch out for the little kids," a fifth-grader explains. The school also has a "buddy system" in which fifth and sixth-graders act as mentors to younger kids. They read and share stories with them about twice a week. "We go see our buddies and help them with reading or science," a fifth-grader says. "It's good for the little kids because some of them don't have big brothers or sisters," a sixth-grader adds. • Sydnor credits Penn's support for the notable difference of this school compared to others in the area. The University provides per-student funding and also supports the school through the Graduate School of Education. "The University is so attached to the school," Sydnor says. "They give the teachers support and help in professional development." Neukrug agrees, saying that the school provides a "different experience" from what her older son has at the Powell School, which is at 36th Street and Powelton Avenue. Powell "doesn't have the support of the University like this one does," she says. "The class size is larger." • The school's administrators also plan to focus on integrating itself into the West Philadelphia community. Some of its facilities, such as the gym, cafeteria and library, will be open to local residents for certain events. "They view it as a way to revitalize West Philly and keep families within the community," Sydnor says. Students are also encouraged to be active in the community, and teachers take classes for walks around the city and help them do research in the city's Free Library. "People come from all over trying to enroll their kids," Sydnor says."There are still people in the community who haven't registered their kids." "This isn't just a viable option, it is a great school," Neukrug says. "It's what you dream for."