Franklin Learning Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Franklin Learning Center (formerly Williams Penn High School for Girls)
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Franklin Learning Center, August 2010
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1501 Mount Vernon St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1908–1909 |
| Architect | Henry deCoursey Richards |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | Philadelphia Public Schools TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003316 |
| Added to NRHP | December 1, 1986 |
The Franklin Learning Center, once known as William Penn High School for Girls, is a historic high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located in the Spring Garden neighborhood. This building was designed by Henry deCoursey Richards and built between 1908 and 1909. It is part of the School District of Philadelphia and is known for its unique learning programs.
Contents
A Look at Franklin Learning Center's History
From Girls' School to Co-ed Campus
The school first opened as an all-girls school. It was one of the earliest schools in Philadelphia to welcome students of all races. The school was named after William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania.
In 1970, the School District of Philadelphia decided to update this school. They also planned to update Benjamin Franklin High School, which was an all-boys school nearby. The goal was to make both schools co-ed, meaning they would accept both boys and girls.
A new campus was built for William Penn High School. This new building was finished and opened for students in the 1974-1975 school year.
A New Kind of Learning: The FLC Program
At Benjamin Franklin High School, a science teacher named Frank Guido had a new idea. He wanted to create a special learning program for his school. This program would let students learn at their own speed.
It used a "competency-based" system. This meant students could earn credits by showing they understood a topic. If a student worked hard, they could even finish high school in three years instead of the usual four!
The school district liked Mr. Guido's idea. However, they decided to move this new program. It was moved to the old William Penn High School building instead of staying at Benjamin Franklin High.
Becoming Franklin Learning Center
During the 1974-1975 school year, the old William Penn building became co-ed. It was renamed the Franklin Learning Center (FLC). For its first year, FLC was like a branch of Franklin High School. Frank Guido was in charge as the site director.
The next school year, FLC became its own magnet school. A magnet school is a special public school that focuses on certain subjects. Mr. Guido was promoted and became the school's first principal. He later retired in 1993 and passed away in 2006.
What FLC Offers Today
Exciting Programs and Majors
Today, Franklin Learning Center offers many different subjects or "majors" for students. These include health, business, music (singing and instruments), visual arts, dance, and computer science. Students can choose a major that fits their interests.
FLC has been recognized for its excellent education. It was named a National Blue Ribbon School two times. This award is given to schools that achieve very high academic standards. FLC received this honor in 1992 and again in 2010.
The school now uses a traditional grading system. Students receive grades like A, B, or C, instead of the old credit system.
A Historic Building
The building where Franklin Learning Center is located is very old and important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. This means it is recognized as a special historic site. The building is made of brick and limestone. It has a Classical Revival style, which looks like ancient Greek or Roman buildings.
