Julia R. Masterman School

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The Julia Reynolds Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School is a secondary school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a magnet school, located in the Spring Garden neighborhood.

Masterman is ranked highly in the School District of Philadelphia, and is considered one of the best college-preparatory public schools in the tri-county area. The school is routinely ranked a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. In the October 2004 issue of Philadelphia Magazine, Masterman was ranked #1 on the list of the "20 Best High Schools" in the Delaware Valley Region. In 2006, Newsweek rated Masterman as the 74th best public school in the country, which was the highest rank of any public school in Pennsylvania.[1] In 2007, however, Masterman's rank fell to 156th, but still higher than any other Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey or Delaware public school. However, the high school was ranking 53rd in the nation by U.S. News and World Report in 2007, too.[2]

Contents

[edit] History

The Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School was established in September 1958 as an academic magnet school for elementary school students in grades 4, 5 and 6. A junior high school program was initiated in 1959, and a senior high school was added in 1976. In 1990 Masterman was re-organized as a middle school (grades 5-8) and a high school (grades 9-12). Masterman is located in the former Philadelphia High School for Girls building.

Students are admitted from all areas of Philadelphia based on academic performance, and staff members are selected based on "professional" expertise. The mission of the school is the pursuit of excellence in both teaching and learning. The senior high school is a preparatory school for select students of superior ability.

The current dress code states that students must wear tasteful, solid-colored clothing, preferably in the school's colors. Usually, if attire is acceptable and not offensive, the "solid" part of this rule is overlooked. Jeans are allowed, but cannot be ripped in inappropriate places. Flip-flops and tank tops are not allowed.[3]

The school was named for Julia Reynolds Masterman. Masterman was instrumental in establishing the Philadelphia Home and School Council and served as its first president. The Masterman family still participates in school events and contributes awards at commencement.

The current Principal is Marjorie Neff, with Vice Principals Ms. Tancredi and Ms. Nicholson. The department heads are Dr. Ranjini for Sciences, Ms. Cohen for English, Mr. Gilligan for Social Studies, and Ms. Russo for Foreign Languages.

In 2007, Masterman was the filming location for the upcoming 2008 M. Night Shyamalan film The Happening starring Mark Wahlberg [4]. The trailer shows interior shots of a science lab on the fourth floor, the auditorium, and the main corridor of the first floor hallway.

[edit] Sports awards

2008 Boys and Girls Public League Swim Champions

2007 Boys and Girls Public League Swim Champions

2007 Philadelphia Public League Girls Volleyball City Champions

2007 Girls Soccer PIAA District 12 AA Champions

2007 Boys Volleyball PIAA District 12 AA Champions

2007 Boys Volleyball Philadelphia Public League Championship

2007 Girls Track AA Championship

2007 Boys Basketball AAA champions

2006 Boys Cross-Country PIAA District 12 AA Champions

2006 Philadelphia Public League Girls Volleyball City Champions

2006 Boys Volleyball Philadelphia Public League Champions

2006 Philadelphia Public League Boys Tennis City Champions

2005 Boys Volleyball Philadelphia Public League Champions

2004 Boys Cross-Country PIAA District 12 AA Champions

2000 Boys Volleyball Philadelphia Public League Champions

[edit] Extracurricular activities

Masterman offers a range of co-educational, interscholastic sports on both the varsity and junior varsity level including basketball, cross-country, soccer, tennis, track, volleyball, baseball, and softball, and participates on unified teams with other schools in gymnastics and swimming. Masterman offers many co-curricular activities including orchestra and jazz band, choir and other vocal and instrumental ensembles, student government, webteam, dramatics, yearbook, newspaper, an award winning literary magazine, a nationally-ranked chess team, a championship mock trial team, a debate team, a championship winning rowing team, a new frisbee team called M.O.F.O.(Masterman Outdoor Frisbee Organization competition in academic contests, science fairs, and many clubs. Most of these activities are only available for high school students.[5]

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] Masterman Hymn

We pledge our hearts to honor and loyalty
Hold high the unfurled colors blue and white
Cherish the ideals of excellence and dignity
Keep our standards high, our traditions true and bright.

Masterman's name be praised.
Standards and honor raised.
We'll ever faithful be,
throughout eternity.
Knowledge will light our way
Through every coming day.
Thy name be ever praised--Masterman School.

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ America's Top Public High Schools | Newsweek Best High Schools | Newsweek.com
  2. ^ America's Top Public High Schools | Newsweek Best High Schools | Newsweek.com
  3. ^ School Uniform Requirements
  4. ^ IMDb Locations http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0949731/locations
  5. ^ http://www.masterman.phila.k12.pa.us/about/profile.php
  6. ^ Leila Josefowicz - The Official Website