A Vanguard School is acknowledged as a public school in the Philadelphia public school system that continually performs at a high academic level. The schools are chosen because their performance in all areas -- including state testing -- and student growth indicators remain consistently above the levels of similar schools. Schools that are identified as Vanguard Schools have a special admissions process.
The school district has a School Performance Index. The SPI measures criteria such as performance outcomes associated with academic progress and achievement. Also, parent and student satisfaction are rated in the SPI. A school's score on the SPI is meant to indicate how well that school performs within the district and compared to similar schools overall. Those schools that perform at the highest levels in the district and are ranked higher than their similar counterparts outside the district are considered Vanguard Schools.
There are three main benefits to being a Vanguard School. Vanguard Schools are granted a greater amount of autonomy within the district. As long as Vanguard Schools meet district performance criteria, they have the opportunity to apply their preferences in staffing, budgeting, scheduling and other basic operating procedures.
Vanguard Schools receive additional training, resources, and support so that the administration and staff are more qualified to operate autonomously over the long run.
As Vanguard Schools establish their own educational model, they have the opportunity to engage historically poor performing schools and help them transition into more effective educational institutions based on a Vanguard School model. Essentially, a Vanguard School can transform other schools to operate based on the same model.
In total, 25 Vanguard schools are currently listed., as of 201. Philadelphia's elementary schools are neighborhood schools. Several neighborhoods are home to Vanguard Schools. Cayuga, Comly, Day, Decatur, F. S. Edmonds, Emlen, Frank, Greenberg, Loesche, Logan, J. Marshall, McCall, McClure, Meredith, Moffet, Penn Alexander, Pollock and Welsh elementary schools all showcase Vanguard banners. Conwell and Wagner Middles Schools are Vanguard Schools. Vanguard high schools include Bodine and Central.