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Philadelphia High School for Girls (building)
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| Location: | Seventeenth and Spring Garden Sts., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Built: | 1848 |
| Architect: | Irwin T. Catharine |
| Architectural style: | Classical Revival |
| Governing body: | Local |
| MPS: | Philadelphia Public Schools TR |
| NRHP Reference#: | 86003302[1] |
| Added to NRHP: | December 4, 1986 |
The Julia Reynolds Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School is a secondary school located in Philadelphia. It is a magnet school, located in the Spring Garden neighborhood. Prior to 1958 the school building was used by the Philadelphia High School for Girls and the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places under that name in 1986.[2]
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. in 2009/2010, it was ranked the 53rd best in America. It is currently one of the top schools in Pennsylvania. [3] In 2007, however, Masterman's rank fell to 156th, still higher than any other Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey or Delaware public school. [4] In 2009, Masterman was ranked the third best High School in the Philadelphia area by Philadelphia Magazine. Recently, the high school was ranked 45th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report in 2009. [5] However today, Masterman ranks 12th best in the national schools.
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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.[6]
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 Mr. Lee for Sciences, Ms. Cohen for Math, Ms. Avelin for English, Mr. Gilligan for Social Studies, and Ms. Stranix for Foreign Languages.
In 2007, Masterman was a filming location for the 2008 M. Night Shyamalan film The Happening starring Mark Wahlberg.[7] The film shows interior shots of a science lab on the fourth floor, the auditorium, and the main corridor of the first floor hallway, along with various other shots of the school.
In 2010, President Barack Obama chose Masterman as the site of his second annual back-to-school speech, which was broadcast nationally. There, he spoke about how the core of America's future is represented by the students of this generation. [8]
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 honors raised.
We'll ever faithful be,
throughout eternity.
Knowledge will light our way
Through every coming day.
Thy name be ever praised—Masterman School.