Your Neighborhood School in Nicetown/Tioga
At Simon Gratz High School, you graduate with more than a diploma. Students have the opportunity to earn college credits and industry certifications – preparing them to enter college or start their career after high school. Their choice.
Gratz may be known around Philadelphia for our championship sports teams, but THE REAL GRATZ is about so much more. We have a STEM Honors program, AP classes and dual enrollment. All of our sophomores complete an internship experience to gain valuable real-world work skills. We have more than 25 extracurricular activities and electives, including art, drafting & design and band. This year, we’re starting Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes in communications technology, health care technology and hospitality management & culinary arts.
Our school spirit and sense of community are palpable. Everyone – students and staff alike – genuinely care about each other and want to see all Bulldogs thrive.
Learn more about our school by clicking any of the items below.
1,100
9-12
Career & Technical Education
This isn’t the old school wood shop class. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs of today are teaching teens everything from how to code and edit video to how to manage restaurants and prepare patients for medical exams. These programs are preparing students for the fastest growing jobs of the future – no matter if they choose to go to college or start their career right after graduation.
Why CTE?
Career Exploration
- Students can discover new interests, cultivate gifts and talents, and find a career they love with hands-on training.
- Many of the fastest-growing jobs are in CTE fields like health care and IT.
College & Career Preparation
- Earn industry-recognized certifications and graduate ready for well-paying careers.
- Earn college credits while still in high school.
Students who complete CTE classes have higher graduation and college completion rates than their peers.
How long is the program?
- The program is three years, starting in 10th grade and running until graduation in 12th grade.
Who can apply?
Right now, only current 9th graders at Gratz with a 90% attendance rate are eligible to apply to CTE. Opportunities for students to apply who do not currently attend Gratz will be forthcoming.
CTE Programs
Web and graphic design. Video production. Photography. Animation. These are just some of the skills students will learn in our Communications Technologies program.
Students in this program will graduate ready to work in the field of multimedia technology – which includes everything from creating video content to repairing computers.
In addition to industry certifications, students in this program can earn up to two college credits for Arts & Humanities courses.
Industry Certification(s):
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Final Cut Pro
Career Opportunities
Advanced Certificate:
- Computer Support Specialist
Associate’s Degree:
- Telecommunications Equipment Installer
- Computer Support Associate
- Television/Movie Equipment Operator
- Sound Technologist
Bachelor’s Degree:
- Software Developer
- Applications Developer
- Web Developer
- Computer Systems Administrator
- Television/Movie Producer
- Graphic Designer
- Print Shop Operator
Many of today’s fastest-growing jobs are in the health care industry. Students in the Health Care Technology program will learn the fundamentals of health care, including how to use basic medical equipment, treat injuries and work in a lab.
Foundational classes will be in a traditional classroom setting, but as students advance through the program, they will begin working in a real-life clinical setting.
In addition to industry certifications, students in this program can earn one college credit for science and ½ college credit for health education.
Industry Certification(s):
- Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED
- Youth Mental Health
- HIPPA
- Certified Nursing Assistant
Career Opportunities
Advanced Certificate:
- Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
- Pharmacy Technician
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPN)
- Medical Records and Health Information Technician
- Nursing Assistant
- Dental Assistant
- Medical Assistant
- Phlebotomist
Associate’s Degree:
- Respiratory Therapist
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician
- Dental Hygienist
- Radiologic Technician
Bachelor’s Degree:
- Registered Nurse
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist
Graduate Degree:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Medical Doctor
Does your child dream of becoming a chef? If so, our Hospitality Management & Culinary Arts program is a perfect fit!
It prepares students to work in a variety of food service industry jobs, teaching them everything from food prep and menu planning to food safety and dining room operations.
In addition to industry certifications, students in this program can earn one college credit for humanities and ½ college credit for health education.
Industry Certification(s):
- SP/2 – Culinary
- ServSafe – Food Handling
- ServSafe – Food Manager
Career Opportunities
Advanced Certificate:
- Fry Cook
- Line Cook
- Fast Food Worker
Associate’s Degree:
- Chef
- Caterer
- Fast Food/Franchise Restaurant Manager
Bachelor’s Degree:
- Hotel Management
- Event Planning
- Chef
- Food Consultant
- Dietitian
- Nutritionist
Graduate Degree:
- Hotel General Manager
- Food and Beverage Director
For questions about the CTE program contact Isobel Dewey at 215-704-3253.
Our School
Our academically rigorous program prepares all students for success after graduation.
- Varied Courses
- Range of courses from introductory to college level
- AP classes give students the opportunity to earn college credits
- STEM Honors Program
- College and Career Prep
- Sophomores complete an 18-week internship
- Seniors go on college visits, take a senior seminar course, get assistance applying for scholarships & loans and support with the college application process
- Students graduate with a plan to enter college, the workforce or a pathway of their choice
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- We provide comprehensive special education programming to meet the individualized needs of each child, including:
- Individualized Education Plans
- Academic Interventions
- Low Incidence Programs (Autistic Support, Multiple Disabilities, Life Skills)
- Emotional Support
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Psychological and Social Services
- We provide comprehensive special education programming to meet the individualized needs of each child, including:
Simon Gratz students have tons of sports, clubs and extracurricular activities to choose from, including:
- Art Club
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cheerleading
- Comic Book Club
- Cross Country
- Dance
- Debate Team
- Drama Club
- Drum Line
- Fashion Club
- Gay-Straight Alliance
- Hip Hop & Rap Production
- Journalism
- Livewire Dance Crew
- National Honor Society
- News Crew
- Open Mic
- Pick-up Basketball
- Photography and Film Club
- Poetry Slam Team
- Robotics
- Singers & Songwriters Studio
- Student Government
- Track and Field
- Video Game Club
- Volleyball
- Weightlifting
- Yearbook Club
- Yoga Club
We’re a member of the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) within the District XII Public League. Our Bulldogs football team won the district divisional (5A) championship game for four years in a row! (2018,2017, 2016 and 2015)
- The STEM Honors program at Simon Gratz prepares students for college and the workforce through a rigorous, hands-on program rooted in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills and concepts.
- Students learn critical and creative thinking skills, communication and collaboration and real-world problem-solving.
- Students who are accepted to the program participate in various opportunities that accelerate their learning, such as engaging summer programs, dual enrollment and STEM enrichment activities.
There is guaranteed enrollment at Simon Gratz High for students living in Gratz attendance zone (click here to see the attendance zone map) and students attending:
- Cleveland
- Clymer
- Kenderton
- Bethune
- Duckrey
- Steel
Students from schools not listed above and outside the Gratz attendance zone may also apply for the lottery, however they can only enroll if seats are available.
Life at Gratz
View GalleryOur Team
Le’Yondo Dunn, Principal
LeYondo.Dunn@masterycharter.org
Le’Yondo Dunn is the principal of Mastery Charter Simon Gratz High School. His passion for working in education stemmed from his own experiences, which mirrors many students attending Gratz. He is a firm believer that all students should have access to a high-quality education regardless of their zip codes.
Before becoming principal at Gratz, Mr. Dunn served as the school’s assistant principal of operations. Prior to joining Mastery, he worked as the director of operations at KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools and Green Dot Public Schools. He started his career in educational advocacy in his hometown of New Orleans.
Mr. Dunn attended the University of New Orleans where he received degrees in business administration and business management. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and keeping up with the latest music trends through his students.
Nicholas Medaglio, Assistant Principal of Operations
Nicholas.Medaglio@masterycharter.org
Bob Victor, Ex-Officio Chair
Don Kimelman, Treasurer
Sulaiman Rahman, Secretary
Suzanne Biemiller
Hosea Harvey
Markida Ross
Stacey Sellers
Judith Tschirgi
John Walsh
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