Program Description
Philadelphia Learning Academy West (PLA-West) is a District-managed alternative education high school that supports students who were formally expelled, returning from court-sponsored placement or are referred through the MTSS process. The program provides smaller structured classrooms and personalized learning opportunities.
Students receive direct instruction and are also exposed to a computer-based instructional program (Edgenuity), used exclusively for credit recovery. In addition, PLA-West collaborates with the Philadelphia Virtual Academy (PVA) and offers both credit recovery and initial credit courses to students in need of credit acceleration. This is especially helpful to students that are overaged and under-credited.
By nurturing student’s academic, social, and emotional growth, PLA-West staff will ensure that students become productive citizens, lifelong learners, and leaders in the global community.
Program Eligibility
Students who come from court-sponsored placement, are referred through the District Transition Center. The Student Transition Center receives students returning to the district from placement. Staff from the Transition Center, assign students based on academic needs, student interventions and juvenile justice stipulations. Referring schools must meet with students and parents to inform them of the student’s performance and the recommendation to refer them to PLA-West.
Additionally, students are admitted on a voluntary basis as some families inquire about our school and an interview is scheduled where the principal and assistant principal meet with the family to discuss possible admittance.
Intake/Orientation Process:
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A Welcome Meeting is conducted for every student that will eventually become a PLA-West scholar. The PLA-West Welcome Team consists of Principal Blackwell, Assistant Principal McCall, Ms. Harbour (Roster Chairperson), Ms. Edda Loredo (School Counselor), Mr. John Stuart (Climate Manager), and Dr. Kristin Cooke (Special Education Case Manager)
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During this meeting, school-wide expectations are covered and a personalized roster is developed for the new student.
Transition Process/Plan
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Our students are expected to show progress in three key areas: Academics, Attendance, and Behavior.
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If there is sufficient progress made for a period of two marking periods, a student qualifies for transition to his/her neighborhood school. This decision is made only if the student’s family is agreeable to the transition. Most students enjoy the learning environment here at PLA-West and decide to graduate from the school.
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If a student fails to live up to the school-wide expectations and numerous interventions have been unsuccessful, students may be transitioned back to their neighborhood schools.
Academics/Learning Model
PLA-West aligns instruction with the District’s scope and sequence guides. Teaching strategies focus on student-centered learning, providing all students with the academic, technological and social skills needed to be productive and contributing citizens in our society.
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Students are exposed to the traditional classroom environment where direct instruction is happening. Content area teachers in the core subject areas for the entire school year lead these classes.
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Students attend core content classes such as, English, Math, Science, as well as a World Language.
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Edgenuity allows students to recover unrealized credits from previous attempts. Many of our students are over-aged and under-credited. This online component allows students to recover classes/credits that they are missing.
Special Education
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Students with Individualized Education Learning Plans are included in the regular education classes. Special Education teachers provide push-in support in the general education English and Mathematics courses.
Student Support Services
The small school campus engages students in positive interactions with their peers and teachers. Staff provides modeling for students and a high degree of respect and responsibility is set on an ongoing basis. PLA-West supports students by partnering with community service agencies such as Juvenile Probation, Department of Human Services and Community Behavioral Health. We offer an in-house behavioral health provider (Family Therapy & Consultation Services), to provide counseling services to students. In addition, the ELECT Program is a district initiative that is facilitated by Communities In Schools of Philadelphia. Elect Program staff assist pregnant and parenting teens with earning their high school diploma. With the Elect Program being on site here at PLA-West, students receive parenting skills, are made aware of local resources and programs, and given help with the transition to employment or higher education after graduation. PLA-West also has a STEP program that offers additional counseling resources to students and families.