2016-2017 STEM Honors Program Application
Simon Gratz High School Mastery Charter
& Mastery Charter Prep Middle School
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE APPLICATION
The Application must be completed and returned along with the required documents no later than Monday,
December 21st, 2015. We strongly suggest submitting a completed application as soon as possible as spots
fill quickly. If we do not have the application and all required documents by Monday, December 21st, 2015,
your application may be disqualified.
Required documents include:
ALL STUDENTS
 Completed application (All sections below)
 Two (2) teacher references (see instructions below)
ONLY STUDENTS NOT CURRENTLY ATTENDING A MASTERY CHARTER SCHOOL
 Transcript or report cards for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years
 Disciplinary History for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015
 PSSA scores from the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years
Submit your application to:
Nicole Padula-George
Simon Gratz Mastery Charter School
1798 W Hunting Park Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19140
Or you may send a scanned copy of the full application and supporting documents to
Nicole.padula@masterycharter.org
Due to space limitations in the program, not all students who apply to the program will be accepted. Please
submit your application as soon as possible; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Thank you for your interest in the STEM Honors Program! After you submit your application, you will be
contacted about the next steps of the admissions process.
Please contact Nicole Padula-George at Nicole.padula@masterycharter.org or 267-606-5238 if you have any
questions while completing this application.
Application Contents
Pages 1-2
About the STEM Honors Program
Pages 3-4
Expectations and Standards
Page 5
Contact Information
Page 6
Student & Parent Pledge
Page 7
Personal Statement
Pages 8
Student Questions
Page 10
References for Teacher Recommendations
About the STEM Honors Program
You are invited to apply for the 2nd year of the STEM Honors Program at Simon Gratz Mastery Charter High
School and Mastery Charter Prep Middle School. For the 2016-2017 school year, rising 7th and 9th grade
students (those starting either 7th or 9th grade in 2016-2017) are being accepted into the first-of-its-kind
program that is designed to encourage students to be excited by ideas and to become independent, creative,
and self-confident learners with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This is a
competitive program that will offer students an accelerated pace of learning and special opportunities to grow
academically and personally. Students who successfully complete the program through 12th grade will receive
a Graduation with Honors distinction on their diploma.
Students must be admitted to Mastery Charter Prep Middle School or Simon Gratz High School Mastery
Charter to be accepted to the STEM Honors program. Please complete an enrollment application to one of
these schools prior to applying for the STEM program.
In this program, you can expect to experience:
 Comprehensive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) coursework
 Hands-on learning and problem-solving
 Personal attention and intellectually challenging classroom environments
 Greater responsibility and flexibility for academic choices over time
 Creative teaching approaches
 Opportunities to get involved in research
 College & Career exposure
 Fun!
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Students who are accepted into the program will be able to take advantage of all that Gratz offers and will
additionally take part in:
 A 3-week summer program (summer 2016) to prepare you for your first year as a STEM Honors
student
 Advanced learning opportunities such as high school coursework in middle school, internships,
Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment courses at local colleges, and independent work
 Social events and STEM Honors group activities
 Personal academic advising
Applicants will be reviewed on the following factors:
 Enrollment at Gratz or Prep (You must submit an enrollment packet to Gratz/Prep to be considered
for the Honors Program)
 Grades (G.P.A.)
 Standardized Test Scores
 Entry Exam
 Attendance and Behavior
 In-person Interview
 Teacher Recommendations
 Completed application
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Expectations and Standards
Expectations
All students in the STEM Honors Program will be expected to demonstrate attitude, behavior, and actions that
are in line with the Graduation with Honors distinction and support the challenging and ambitious goals of the
program. In addition to the expectations for all Mastery students, these include:
 Strong work ethic, persistence in the face of obstacles, and a steady commitment to succeeding in the
program
 Integrity and honesty in academic work and activities
 Spirit of accomplishment and growth
 An openness to asking for help, offering help, and focusing on improvement
 Dedication to learning and preparing for a successful future
Standards
All STEM Honors Program students must adhere to the following standards to maintain their place in the
program.
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Maintain a grade of 80% or higher in all courses
For each report period, have an attendance record of 90% or better
Maintain good disciplinary standing with no Level IIs
Follow all rules and expectations of the school’s student handbook
Actively attend the 3 week summer academic program for 2016 summer
Dismissal/Withdrawal
If students do not adhere to the Expectations and Standards above, they risk consequences of being put on probation
and dismissal from the STEM Honors Program.
Grades
Students in the STEM Honors Program are expected to maintain a grade of 80% or higher in all courses. Students should
be aware of their academic standing throughout the report period. In addition to receiving weekly progress reports,
students are urged to discuss their grades with their teachers on a consistent basis.
At least once a report period, students grades are monitored by the Director or another program staff member. If a
student at that time has a grade lower than 80% in any class, a mandatory parent conference is scheduled. In the
mandatory conference, the parent/guardian, student, teacher, and director collectively determine the best next steps
for the student to earn and maintain an 80%.
A student who earns a grade lower than 80% in any class in one or more of the four report periods, is placed on
probation. Like with the mandatory parent conference, the parent/guardian, student, teacher, and director develop
together a plan designed to ensure the student maintains at least an 80%. During probation, the student remains a
member of the program, but is ineligible to participate in any STEM Honors Program activities or receive program
incentives. If the student meets the goals in the timeframe outlined in the plan, he/she is removed from probation and
becomes eligible again to participate in program activities and receive program incentives. If not, a meeting is scheduled
to discuss possible dismissal of the student from the STEM Honors Program.
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Attendance
Students in good standing in the STEM Honors Program have an attendance record of 90% of higher for each marking
period. Each student’s attendance record is checked at the conclusion of each report period. Any student who has less
than 90% attendance due to unexcused absences is placed on probation. Part of the probation is placing the student on
an attendance contract.
Behavior
STEM Honors students contribute positively to the learning environment. Therefore, it is expected they are not to
receive Level IIs. Level IIs are serious infractions and include actions such as major disrespect, pre-fights, and
insubordination. The first level II a student receives results in the student being put on probation. Part of the probation
is placing the student on a behavior contract.
Parent Asks
Family, especially parent/guardian, involvement is a known key factor to student’s academic success. Also, as
collaboration and community are two of the four pillars for the program, developing meaningful and impactful
relationships between families and the program is a priority. Therefore, we ask families to support their student in the
following ways:
 Ask questions and seek support – the number one goal is for your student to reach his/her potential and we are
here to make that happen! Please reach out at any time. If I am unable to answer your question, I will connect
you with the person who can. I am easily accessible by phone and email. My contact information is below.
Nicole Padula-George
Director of STEM Honors Program
Cell: 267-606-5238
Email: Nicole.padula@masterycharter.org
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Be motivational – You are a role model. Your student looks to you for inspiration and guidance. Always
encourage him/her that she can do it with hard work and perseverance.
Stay in contact with us – Teachers and leadership want to hear from you. You and your student deserve to know
how your student is performing in classes throughout the school year, not just at the end of report periods. It
should not be a surprise how your student is doing in school. Therefore, please initiate conversations with
teachers. You will be provided with a teacher directory with contact information in the STEM Honors Program
handbook. They are looking forward to hearing from you!
Attend at least one STEM Honors family workshop during the 2016-2017 academic year.
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Contact Information
Student Name: __________________________________________________ Date of Birth _____/____/_____
(Please Print)
First
Last
MM
DD
YYYY
2015-2016 School: ________________________________________________ 2015-2016 Grade: _________
Parent/Guardian #1: ________________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
First
Last
Contact Email #1: ______________________________________ Contact Phone #1:_____________________
Parent/Guardian #2: ________________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
First
Last
Contact Email #2: ______________________________________ Contact Phone #2:_____________________
Mailing Address: ___________________________________________________________________________
Street
___________________________________________________________________________
City
State
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Zip Code
Student Pledge – Mastery Charter STEM Honors Program 2016-17
I, ________________________________________________, have read and understood the Expectations,
Standards, and Dismissal/Withdrawal Policy of the STEM Honors Program. I understand that the program will
require a greater commitment and additional effort and time. I pledge to adhere to these Expectations and
Standards and understand that my failure to do so will result in the consequences described above.
I also acknowledge that submitting this application is not a guarantee of acceptance into the STEM Honors
Program. If accepted, I am committed to succeeding in this program and will try my best to do so.
Signature:___________________________________________________ Date: _______________________
Parent/Guardian Pledge
I, ________________________________________________, have read and understood the Parent Asks,
Student Expectations, Standards, Dismissal/Withdrawal Policy of the STEM Honors Program. I understand that
the program will require a greater commitment and additional effort and time for both my child and myself. I
pledge to support my child in adhering to these Expectations and Standards and understand that his/her failure
to do so will result in the consequences described above.
I also acknowledge that submitting this application is not a guarantee of my child’s acceptance into the STEM
Honors Program. If my child is accepted to this program, I commit to supporting him/her toward success.
By signing this pledge, I also promise to support my child in fulfilling the expectations and following the rules in
the student handbook for all Gratz students.
Signature:___________________________________________________ Date: _______________________
Relationship to Student: ________________________________________
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Personal Statement
Student Statement
In the space provided below or on a separate sheet of paper, please explain why you think you should be
admitted to the STEM Honors Program and describe the difference you expect this program will make in your
life.
Parent Recommendation
In the space provided below or on a separate sheet of paper, explain why you think your child should be
admitted to the STEM Honors Program, how you are prepared to support your child’s success in the program,
and what impact you expect this program will make in his/her life.
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Student Questions
Please respond to these questions with written or typed answers on separate sheets of paper. Submit those
sheets together with this application.
1. ESSAY (Required) The STEM Honors Program is focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (STEM) as a theme throughout the program. Studying STEM means applying concepts
from the S, T, E, M subject areas to solve real-world problems and make connections between what
you are learning in the classroom, what is happening in the community locally and globally, and what
you might do in your future career. Why are you interested in a program focused on STEM? Limit your
answer to 600 words or less.
2. SCENARIOS (Required-Choose 2 of the 3 scenarios to respond to) Limit your answer to 150 words or
less for each scenario.
A) Your teacher just handed back an assignment and you see that you received a 76, which at Mastery
means you passed but just barely. What do you do?
B) Your teacher has given you detention that you don’t feel you deserved. What do you do?
C) You know that the ACT college entrance exam is coming up in 5 weeks. What do you do between
now and then to feel prepared on the day of the test?
3. SHORT ANSWER (Required-Choose 1 of the 3 questions to respond to) Limit your answer to 300
words or less.
A) Describe an obstacle that you have encountered in your life, and explain how you overcame it.
B) What is the problem in your community that worries you the most? How do you think it should be
solved?
C) Tell us about a person in your life who inspires you. What is inspirational about that person, and
how does that inspiration influence your attitude and choices?
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4. MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS (Required; please answer on this page)
Did you already submit your enrollment
 Yes
packet for Gratz or Prep?
 No
How did you hear about the STEM Honors
 Postcard in the mail
Program? Please check all that apply.
 Cover page from Gratz enrollment packet
 Brochure
 Phone call
 Home visit
 Teacher
 Principal
 Friend
 Event at my school
 Event at Gratz
 Other (Please specify)
______________________________
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References for Teacher Recommendations
Part of the application to the STEM Honors Program is teacher recommendations. You should select two of
your teachers, from either this school year or last school year, and ask them to provide recommendations for
you. Write the teachers’ names, schools, subject areas, and email addresses below. The teachers will receive
an email message with a link that invites them to fill out a brief recommendation form about you.
TEACHER #1
Teacher’s Name: ___________________________________________
Teacher’s School:___________________________________________
Teacher’s Subject Area: ______________________________________
Teacher’s Email Address: _____________________________________
TEACHER #2
Teacher’s Name: ___________________________________________
Teacher’s School:___________________________________________
Teacher’s Subject Area: ______________________________________
Teacher’s Email Address: _____________________________________
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