Academy at Palumbo

This school is a joke!!!! My son has attended for two years and I have now encouraged him to transfer for his junior year. Not only does the staff lazily prepare our children for college, they barely ever show up to work. According to the staff attendance record, they rate at 47% this year alone. (this information provided by the school district to any parent that wants the information) My son has barely had any homework, classwork, projects, etc., and when a test is given,(of course they have to hurriedly provide an exam to be able to put in grades), the children aren't afforded the opportunity to finish the exam leaving them with of course with an overall unsatisfactory grade. (luckily, my son, is an achiever, and has EASILY remained on the honor roll since he began) This is apparently acceptable to both the principal and the staff. Thanks so much for placing our children at the bottom of the achievement pole! This is what they claim to be an uprising college preparatory school... how dare they and shame on them all! With all of the recent budget cuts, the principal at this school should have been the first on the list!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is by far one of the best schools in the city of philadelphia . The teachers strive for the best and take there job very serious . The principle is wonderful and she shows a great amount of respect to just about anyone . My daughter has been here for 3 years and will soon be graduating so I know a couple things about this school . Even though the kids may play around,they have a drive and determination for success that drives this school into a path of total success . Every year palumbo just keeps getting better and better . For a new school that was established in 2006 , I would say that this school is going to go a long way .
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going to Academy at Palumbo for two years. This school is really big on eduaction, but it allows students to do fun activitiesThis school prepares them for college and gets them ready for the real world. I am glad we chose this school for her. It is wonderful!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a joke! The teachers at the school is top notch!! But the administration and the principal leaves something to be desired. Their reputation was built on teachers and staff coming from Central, to make a similar environment in South Philly. However, they have fallen short. My son graduated from Central many years ago, so I am very familiar of what Central has to offer. Central has built their own reputation which they can be proud of, however, Palumbo has not established their own reputation. Instead, they drill it into students that they are like Central's sister...please stop! Dr Chew is going to run the school into the ground. She doesn't have the support of her staff because she has no integrity. I hear from staff and my child, the inequity in the students, staff and it makes me sick. I've been there and have heard the snide comments Dr Chew makes about certain staff, students, etc. If it weren't for the awesome teaching staff, I would pull her out and report this school to the Board of Education. They don't encourage parent participation at all. If it weren't for the active Home & School Association, we wouldn't know anything! Keep watching!!
—Submitted by a parent

I'll be a junior this sept. and I feel really lucky that I chose to attend this school. All the teachers are very brilliant and fair and taught their students well. The students, though playful at times, are well disciplined and hard working. and I appreciate that the school is trying hard to give the students as much credits we need.
—Submitted by a student

I thought Academy@Palumbo was a school for kids that were striving to be the very best,and to get good grades,respect one another it turns out to be just another neighborhood school where the kids do whatever they want what a joke. My daughter wanted to be challenged so if she fails a test she can't makeup a test because her overall grades are well,but a failing child can do something they call recovery and the school will give them a chance bring their F's up to a C now how is that helping a child to learn. Other kids are really working hard for their grade while others are goofing off the classes need to be stricter and kids need to get their own grades instead of a teacher trying to ease them on by. Again this is supposed to be for smart kids,so what happened this does not need to be a magnet school.
—Submitted by a parent

I've went to this school for 3 years now and out of all my schools I'll say that this has been the one that pulls me closer into education. Next year will be my last and I hopefully hope that as each year goes Academy at Palumbo will grow stronger and stronger
—Submitted by a student

I am an very involved parent and this is my daughter Senior year. Academy overall is an excellent academic high school. The school is five years old and Dr. Chew(principal) is working very hard to make Academy a great school and become a pillar in South Philadelphia. I also want to fair and clear there needs to be some more work with social activities for the student ; a stronger participation from current parents and more discipline with the student body on the honor system.
—Submitted by a parent

this is the best school i have ever attended in my life,the teachers strive 4 us to push and push our selfs cause they know we have the potential to go 2 college graduate and make something of our lives in the future i look foward to graduating in 2013 with all my friends and teachers by our side.
—Submitted by a student

My son will be graduating in the Inaugural 2010 class and it has truly been a great 4 years for him. The teachers are very warm and caring and the work is definitely college preparatory.
—Submitted by a parent

The Academy at Palumbo is a fantastic school. Fabulous teachers a great principal and good kids too. My daughter is looking forward to another great year there!
—Submitted by a parent

The Academy at Palumbo is a 4 year old, college prep magnet high school in South Philadelphia. It is housed in a school building, but has undergone extensive renovations to make it quite safe, comfortable and pleasant. The principal, Dr. Chew, has the students as her #1 priority, that is evident. The student body is multicultural and from all walks of life. School spirit abounds, both with the students, the staff and the parents. I am quite happy that my daughter chose to begin her high school years at this wonderful school.
—Submitted by a parent

The school needs to work on student discipline. Latenesses should lead to detentions and then suspensions. The teachers are wonderful. The school needs more parent involvement, home and school is very small and needs more support. Students should be required to join a club, this is supposed to be a college prep school, if the school is prepping for college, they need to work on interviews, resumes, college applications, and enhancing the student's profile.
—Submitted by a parent

I am in the 12 grade this year, and I am very proud to say I attend The Academy at Palumbo. This year the Class of 2010 will be the first graduating class at the Academy and we are super excited. It saddens me at the same time because I have built a wonderful relationship with many teachers, staff and students. If you want a great place to learn this is the right school for you. It is all about Academics and its small. So your not just a number your a person that every teacher knows. Help is always around when ever you need it. Being the First Class there were many things we couldn't get that classes to come will establish but this is a VERY GREAT school, no if's and's or but's.
—Submitted by a student

Excellent School. Wish my other children would have attended.
—Submitted by a parent

I just started at Academy and I believe that it is a wonderful school. Their dedicated teachers can show students a successful path. As a student I know I'm not just a number but I am a person that wants a good education.
—Submitted by a student