New School Year, New Beginnings

The first day of school ’ at two very different schools in Philadelphia - began today.

On the north side we have Vaux High School and Esperanza Academy Charter School.

Last year, only 7% of the student body could read at grade level at Vaux high. 43% of African American and 51% of Hispanics drop out.

At Esperanza, they boast a graduation rate over 95%. School administrators know that the majority of their students are on the path to graduate.

These two schools are less than 5 miles apart.

Fox 29’s Thomas Drayton takes an honest look at how the Philadelphia School District is working hard to increase it’s graduation rate. Right now, the graduation rate stands at 40%. Over the summer the district identified 6 underperforming schools and made some drastic changes.

What were those changes? Will this lead to success?

What is Esperanza doing right?

Thomas Drayton reports.