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Temple Journalists Profile Northwood’s Excel Academy

Temple’s journalism students have made another visit to 19124 as Jennifer Reardon and Maria Konidaris profile the Excel Academy in it’s first year of operation on the grounds of Friends HospitalCamelot Schools of Pennsylvania, Excel’s operator, has been contracted by the school district to bring students that have fallen behind in other northeast Philly high schools the opportunity for them to catch up and graduate.  It received unanimous approval for its zoning variance last fall by the Northwood civic.

The last time they stopped by was for a piece on Frankford’s Main Street.

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Aerial Photos of Friends Hospital

Thankfully I’ve never had to be on the grounds of Friends Hospital.  But Microsoft’s Bing Maps has bird’s eye view of the grounds and after driving by it for so many years I didn’t realize how big the grounds were or how extensive the the buildings were.  Check it out.  You’ll have to click on “Aerial” then “Bird’s eye”.

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Northwood Civic Gives Greenlight to Camelot

The Northwood Civic met Tuesday night to discuss the proposal by Camelot Schools of Pennsylvania to operate an Excel Academy on the grounds of Friends Hospital at 4641 Roosevelt Boulevard (map) . Camelot is seeking zoning variances to open this school year and needs the support of Northwood.

The school would be under contract to the School District of Philadelphia and similar to the one operated at present on Bustleton avenue.  It would only serve students in the Northeast.  The purpose is to help students who have fallen at least two or more grade levels behind to catch up and graduate.  It is not a disciplinary school but an accellerated program to get these kids back on track.

The Civic has been negotiating for several weeks and a vote was taken on the proposed agreement.  It was approved unanimously.