Success at Shawmont amidst pandemic

As Shawmont students end their 8th grade year unceremoniously due to the disruptions of COVID-19, they are still a class to be celebrated. Their hard work and determination gained 54 of 56 of them entry into a high school of their choice through the high school selection admission process. Of the 8th grade class of 2020, 96% were offered entry to one of their top selections made during this process. High Schools that offered admission to Shawmont’s class include competitive admission high schools such as, Science Leadership Academy (SLA), Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), Saul High School, the Academies at Roxborough High, Girls High, and Central High School.

Shawmont’s excellence for high school placement options, as well as their roster of specialty class offerings and extra curriculars have helped keep the neighborhood school as a competitive option against private and charter schools. This past year Shawmont added a third Kindergarten class to accommodate the influx of families looking to be part of Shawmont School. Even the obstacles of distance learning continued to set Shawmont School apart. With the School District of Philadelphia providing each student a chromebook, internet options when needed, and a whole library of online learning resources, both Shawmont students and teachers began meeting virtually even ahead of the district’s schedule. The commitment to each student, combined with the wide resources that the school district was able to pull together really made the end of this year a remarkable accomplishment.