SLA @ Beeber at a Glance

Science Leadership Academy at Beeber

At a Glance

Principal
Christopher Johnson | E-mail

Phone: 215-400-7270
Fax: 215-400-7271

Student Enrollment: 696
Lower School (5-8): 193
Upper School (9-12): 503

Address:
5925 Malvern Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19131

SEPTA Routes:
Bus: G, 65, 44, 52 Tolley: 10 Regional Rail: Thorndale line

Mission & Approach to Learning

“How do we learn? What can we create? What does it mean to lead?” These three essential questions form the basis of instruction at the Science Leadership Academy at Beeber. Science Leadership Academy @ Beeber, an Inquiry School, is a Philadelphia high school expansion of the original Science Leadership Academy model. SLA@ Beeber is built on the notion that inquiry is the very first step in the process of learning. SLA provides a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum with a focus on technology, engineering, and teacher preparation programs.

Students at SLA learn in a project-based environment where the core values of inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation and reflection are emphasized in all classes. Our schedule on Wednesdays allows lower schools to engage in enriching non-traditional learning experiences, while upper school students participate in service learning, internships, and cumulative capstone experiences in the afternoon.

At SLA @ Beeber, learning is not just something that happens during school hours, but a continuous process that expands beyond the four walls of the classroom into every facet of our lives. We believe in teaching students HOW to think, not WHAT to think.

What We Offer

Courses & Program Highlights

  • Project-based learning and hands-on learning environment
  • Upper school and lower school Makerspaces
  • Music class
  • Approved CTE Program:
  • Dual Enrollment Program: Drexel University, U. Penn Scholars and Community College of Philadelphia, Temple University, and LaSalle University
  • Internships and Service Learning in 10th – 12th grades
  • Capstone in 12th grade
  • Opportunities for professional certificates in engineering, education, computer science, and additional areas
  • 4 year advisory model where students stay with their same advisory teacher throughout their time at SLA @ Beeber

Extracurricular Activities

Clubs:

  • Cycling
  • Podcasting
  • Robotics
  • Debate
  • Theatre/Drama
  • Music
  • Chess
  • Dungeons and Dragons
  • Gaming
  • NHS (National Honors Society)
  • Muslim Student Association
  • Student Government
  • GSA (Gay Straight Alliance)
  • Green Team

Sports Teams

Upper School: Grades 9-12

  • Baseball—Boys
  • Basketball—Girls and Boys
  • Cheerleading
  • Cross country
  • Cycling—Coed
  • Football
  • Lacrosse
  • Golf – Coed
  • Soccer—Girls and Boys
  • Softball—Girls
  • Swimming—Coed
  • Track—Girls and Boys
  • Volleyball—Girls and Boys
  • Wrestling—Coed

Lower School: Sports only offered for grades 6-8

  • Basketball — Girls and Boys
  • Track — Coed
  • Flag Football — Girls

Partnerships

  • Drexel University
  • Temple University
  • LaSalle University
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Community College of Philadelphia
  • Eat Right Philly
  • Public Health Management Corporation
  • City of Philadelphia
  • Center for Black Educator Development
  • Pennsylvania Educator Diversity Consortium
  • Tiny WPA
  • SLA Center City
  • SLA Middle School

Admission Criteria

  • Grades: As and Bs with one C
  • Attendance: 90%
  • Standardized Test: 50th Percentile in ELA and
    50th Percentile in Math
  • Additional Requirements for Lower School (5th-8th Grades): Group project-based presentation.