• Step 1
  Complete parts 1 to 4 of this application and mail to the Eastern University Academy via the instructions below.


• Step 2
  Read and sign the top section of part 5 (and part 6, if applicable). Then, return to Eastern University Academy.
  
  Please Note: It is your responsibility to make sure that you sign the Release of Records form (s), part (s) 5 (and 6). Eastern University Academy will send these forms to your child's Guidance Counselor who should then attach the appropriate records to the form (s), and send them directly to Eastern University Academy Charter School – without this information your application will be incomplete.


• Step 3
  Submit three typed letters of recommendation: school principal and/or teachers, person from your community/community organization (i.e., Boy Scouts, YMCA, track team, etc.), religious organization (i.e., mosque, synagogue, or church). At least one recommendation must come from a community person or religious leader.


• Step 4
  Send the completed application with references.


• Step 5
  Once a completed application is received, you will be invited for an interview with an advisor, or Eastern University Academy staff member. You will receive a schedule for your interview. All applicants must bring a copy of their book choice and essay to the interview.


• Step 6
  After preliminary acceptance, you should mail or fax your final report card and diploma as proof of completion of your current grade to the address below.


• Step 7
  Attend a scheduled Student & Family Enrollment Meeting.


• Step 8
  All incoming students will attend a one Summer Orientation Program Monday, July 9, 2012 - Friday, July 13, 2012. This is a program for incoming students that supports their transition to Eastern University Academy Charter School.

Application Process (Please keep for your records.) DEADLINE JANUARY 31, 2012

All application materials should be sent to:
Eastern University Academy Charter School
Attn: ADMISSIONS 3 Falls Center, Suite 2, 3300 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19129
O: 215.769. 3131
F: 215.769. 3112

We will continue to accept applications until all openings are filled. After all vacancies are filled, we place students on an active waiting list for the current academic year only. Those who wish to be placed on a waiting list for the next academic year must re-apply. Please be advised that Eastern University Academy Charter School is required to select students by independent lottery when applications exceed the number of openings.

Any misstatement, failure to disclose or inaccurate information provided in the application may be grounds for revoking the child's admission to the school.

One of the hallmarks of our school is real world learning; that is, once students identify their passion, we aggressively seek to partner students with a mentor who can provide them with assistance in completing a real world project.

As a school we have a great opportunity to build partnerships with individuals, companies, and nonprofit organizations.  We are creating a culture in which our "Excel at Life Partners" - persons who have made the commitment to mentor a student - remain committed to the school.  A number of these mentors ask, "How else can I be involved with the school?" A committment to the school can be exercised in donations of equipment, services, professional support, etc.  If you would like to become a part of a network of professionals who provide internships and mentor students please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bob Oliver, Chair (has served the board since 2009) is Senior Vice President for US Sales & Operations for Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. a multi-national holding company headquartered in Japan. Mr. Oliver has built an exemplary record as a sales and marketing leader over his more than 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry.  Mr. Oliver earned an MBA degree in Marketing from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and a BA degree in Urban Studies from Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ. Currently he serves on the Board of Elders at New Covenant Church of Philadelphia, where he is also an Associate Pastor.

Colleen Bynum  (has served the board since 2011) has 25 years of experience in all modalities of Neurodiagnostics (recording brain activity, performing sleep studies, and monitoring brain activity during surgery).  Colleen has worked in healthcare networks in PA, NY, and NJ.  Colleen was honorably discharged from the United States Army Reserve (USAR) after 12 years of service and activated during Desert Shield/Desert Storm for six months.  While in the military she worked in supply, trained soldiers, and managed the military library.  Colleen has an AAS in Electrical Engineering Technology from New York City Technical College, a BS in Health Administration from Saint Joseph’s University (SJU), and is currently a MA student at SJU studying Health Administration. 

Dr. Heewon Chang (has served the board since 2009 and is currently Vice Chair) is professor of education and organizational leadership at Eastern University. She has served the School of Education as Graduate Education Chair for the last five years and will be transitioning into a new role as Interim Director of the Ph. D. in Organizational Leadership program.  As a multicultural educator, she believes in educational equity for all students and this belief has fueled her work with the EUACS Board as Vice Chair.  She has authored three books, Adolescent Life and Ethos: An Ethnography of a US High School (1992), Autoethnography as Method (2008), and Spirituality in Higher Education: Autoethnographies (2011, with Drick Boyd), and edits a peer-review scholarly journal, International Journal of Multicultural Education. 

Jerry Clampett (has served the board since 2009) retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1998 after 34 years as an agricultural statistician and systems analyst.  Retirement interests have included part-time employment/volunteer stints with Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, Eastern University, Palmer Theological Seminary, Deeley-Mattes Author Escorts, The Philadelphia Project, political campaigns, and church/community leadership tasks.  Growing up on a small farm in Southern Illinois and attending a one-room elementary school (with the same wonderful teacher for all 8 grades) and a small high school provided the basis for a BS degree from Southern Illinois University and MS from Ohio State University.  

Michael Evans (has served the board since 2009) is currently the Associate Director of Association of Christian Schools International’s (ACSI) Urban School Services with primary responsibilities for equipping urban educators, supporting schools serving urban children, and building networks for school leaders.  Before joining ACSI in 1998, Michael taught in two middle schools in Connecticut. He earned his BA in elementary education from Eastern College and a MA in Education from Oral Roberts University.  Michael is currently pursuing a PhD in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in education.  His dissertation will focus on charter school leadership and issues of social justice.  

Grace Fornicola (has served the board since 2011) has over 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience in the child welfare field.  Her last position was Vice President  of Programs in KidsPeace. While in the nonprofit sector, her responsibilities included establishing and maintaining educational, therapeutic, and residential services for several hundred children across four states, including private and charter schools. She is currently a full time PhD student at Eastern University embarking on her dissertation study.

Dr. Robert L. Jarvis (has served the board since 2009 and is currently Secretary) is currently directing multiple equity leadership initiatives through the Penn Center for Educational Leadership in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania.  He brings to his role many years of experience in educational leadership and professional development training and consultation in K-12 and Higher Education, as well as Business and Industry.  Bob is currently working with over 40 school districts and their leaders throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region in building their capacity for increasing the academic and life success of  their diverse learners. He has served a Board Secretary at EUACS since its inception.

Larry Mays (has served the board since 2011 and is currently Treasurer) Group Director ADT Transportation & Logistics Security Services.  Larry has over 32 years of experience in consulting and the development of transportation industry mission critical information management systems. Larry holds a BS degree in Business Management from Adelphi University an MBA from Saint Joseph’s University and an Executive Management education program sponsored by the Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Dr. Robbin M. Washington-Smart (has served the board since 2009) is Deputy CEO and Principal of the New Foundations Charter School in Philadelphia in which capacity she has served for the past two years. Previously, for 9 years, she served as the Vice Principal, Deputy CEO, and Dean of the same institution. She has served as an educator for the past 21 years and is a member of the National Advisory Board of A Better Chance Program. She has recently obtained her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. 

James Turner (has served the board since 2009), as Director of Economic Development for the Chester Economic Development Authority (CEDA), oversees the Small Business Loan Portfolio, the Keystone Opportunity Zone Program, the Advantage Chester Business Development Program, and the city’s revitalization initiatives. He is also the President and CEO of Dunamis Marketing, a full-service marketing firm. He serves as the chairman of the Governor’s Targeted Community Revitalization and Crime Prevention Advisory Committee, Commissioner on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Chairman of the City of Chester’s Planning Commission.  Jim is an ordained minister at New Life Ministries International under the leadership of Apostle, Dr. Joyce E. Scott. 

If you would like to be considered for a seat on the board of directors please send an email to the Principal, Omar Barlow.

Principal/CEO
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Early College High School (ECHS) is a blended secondary/post-secondary school for young people in urban and rural environments, many of whom are from low-income families, are second-language learners or are members of ethnic groups with low participation in postsecondary education.

ECHS provides both the rigorous learning and close support needed to launch underserved young people into college.

ECHS embodies the notion that intellectual challenge and academic rigor coupled with the opportunity to save time and tuition dollars are powerful motivators for young people.

ECHS changes the structure of high school years, compresses the number of years required to obtain a college degree and removes significant barriers to postsecondary education. Students complete high school and earn college credits within a small, supportive learning environment that looks and feels much more like college than like high school.

The Gates Foundation, along with the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation the Kellogg Foundation, has launched a national initiative to create over 100 Early College high schools over the next five years. The Woodrow Wilson Foundation Fellowship has provided EUACS with initial funding to participate in the Early College High School initiative.

For more about our partnerships:

• Woodrow Wilson Foundation Fellowship
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Big Picture philosophy is grounded in a commitment to educate “one student at a time.” The structures and educational practices of Big Picture Schools are built upon the foundation of several core beliefs.

• Students are motivated to learn when they are engaged in academic work that taps their interests and passions.
• Students are motivated to learn when the work projects are personally meaningful and have significance outside of school.
• Learning takes place in many contexts, not just in schools.
• Students learn best when they are known well by peers and adults in the school.
• Students learn best when they have a voice in creating their educational plans.
• Learning must connect to personal and social contexts for each student.
• Family members must be active participants in each student’s learning.
• Academic knowledge and skills must be applied to real life experiences and challenges.