BOYS LATIN OF PHILADELPHIA CHARTER SCHOOL

Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia is a Title I college-preparatory school for students in grades six through 12, and the only all-boys public school in Pennsylvania. Founded in 2007 to address the extreme dearth of quality educational opportunities for students in Philadelphia, Boys’ Latin is dedicated to the development of confident and independent learners who will be actively engaged as global citizens in our interdependent world. As a public charter school, there are no admissions requirements and the school enrolls by randomized lottery. With a 14:1 student/teacher ratio, we offer an intimate learning community in which each young man is encouraged to be the “architect of his own fortune” by pursuing excellence across a range of endeavors.

We provide a rigorous academic model, blending classical education and contemporary pedagogy, which prepares students for college matriculation and sets high standards for achievement, character development, and emotional intelligence. Our boys engage in daily opportunities to read, write, and analyze; to think critically and creatively; to understand and use various technologies; to grapple with challenging questions within and across disciplines; and to develop curiosity and enthusiasm about learning. Unlike the neighboring schools, Boys’ Latin students attend an extended day of classes (8:00am – 5:00pm), receive after-school tutoring, and have Saturday classes twice monthly, totaling over 40 academic hours per week. In comparison, the average inner city school provides only 25 hours of instruction each week. This means that on average our students receive over 60% more hours of instruction than their peers across Philadelphia.

Learning is underscored by practical experiences and extracurricular activities. Our “Best of Philly” acclaimed after school program offers more than 35 options, developing our students’ intellectual, moral, social, creative, and athletic potential.

Boys' Latin educates 850 students in grades six through 12. We serve a 100% male and 99% African American population, 80% of whom qualify for free and reduced lunch, and approximately 70% of whom reside in the surrounding neighborhoods in West Philadelphia.

Over the past decade we have built an effective model for educating minority boys, a demographic that suffers the worst educational and quality of life outcomes in the nation. We firmly believe that all students, regardless of background, are capable of going to, and graduating from college. Our students matriculate to and persist through college at rates three- to four-times the Philadelphia average for those same metrics.