Eastern University Academy Charter School engages students and their families in all aspects of the application, admission, and educational process. In order to apply to Eastern University Academy, students and their parent (s) and/ or guardian (s) must complete the following steps:

• Step 1
  Complete parts 1 to 3 of this application and mail to Eastern University Academy via the instructions below. Be sure to read and sign the top section of part 2 (and part 3, 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) 2 (and 3). 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 student's enrollment cannot be completed.


• Step 2
  Once a completed application is received, an acceptance letter will be sent along with an invitation for an informational meeting with an Eastern University Academy staff member. 

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


• Step 3
  Attend a scheduled Student & Family Enrollment Meeting.


• Step 4
  All incoming students will attend a  Summer Orientation for one week in July. This is a program for incoming students that supports their transition to Eastern University Academy Charter School.

Application Process (Please keep for your records.)  aPPLICATION DEADLINE JANUARY 31, 2013

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. He joined OAPI from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, where he served as Senior Vice President, Primary Care Sales and Commercial Operations. In that role he had responsibility for sales in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and he served as chair of Wyeth’s U.S. Sales Council. He also served as Vice President and Global Business Manager for Oncology at Wyeth, in this capacity he was responsible for WW marketing and domestic sales. Earlier in his career, Mr. Oliver spent 16 years in senior sales and marketing positions at Johnson & Johnson. 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 and is currently Secretary) 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. Colleen has a 17-year-old son, Grantley, heading to the University of Rochester in the fall and a 15-year-old daughter, Taylor, a sophomore at EUACS.

 

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 holds a PhD. in education from University of Oregon and her dissertation study focused on the culture of high school students and their community. Her study was published as a book Adolescent Life and Ethos: An Ethnography of a US High School in 1992. She has been teaching at Eastern University since 2004.  In addition she served as Graduate Education Chair in the School of Education for five years until 2011 and is currently serving as Interim Director of the Ph. D. in Organization Leadership in the Campolo College of Graduate and Professional Studies. As a multicultural educator, she believes in educational equity and quality for all students from diverse backgrounds and this belief has fueled her work with the EUACS Board.  She has authored/edited three additional books: Autoethnography as Method (2008), Spirituality in Higher Education: Autoethnographies (2011, edited with Drick Boyd), and Collaborative Autoethnography (2012, coauthored with Faith Ngunjiri and Kathy-Ann Hernandez).  She founded two online journals and currently edits a peer-review scholarly journal, International Journal of Multicultural Education, as Editor-in-Chief. She has served Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church as Elder. She is originally from South Korea and leads a multicultural family with her husband from Germany and two grown-up children from the United States.

Carmen Finney (has served the board since 2012)

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. Her leadership experience includes being an active participant in new program development/start up operations, supervising executive directors and other mid-level leaders across several states, and providing onsite support and professional development to many leaders within her former organization. She is currently a full time PhD student at Eastern University embarking on her dissertation study.

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 joined ADT in Oct 2008 as the Group Director of National Accounts Transportation & Logistics.  Prior to ADT Larry spent 13 years with Pan American World airways, 16 years with Unisys and 2 years with IBS software services as the Senior VP of the Cargo Line of Business.  Larry has conducted business in 40 cities in over 25 different countries around the world.  He has consulted with 14 of the world’s leading airlines and freight forwarders in engagements including business process reengineering, productivity improvement and systems integration.  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.

Emmanuel Small (has served the board since 2012) served as Residential Director of Group Life for a multi-million dollar residential treatment facility where he held several management and crisis intervention trainer roles. During that time he served on several administrative committees to consult on health and safety compliance, cultural diversity, and policy development. He has firsthand knowledge and practical experience with Pennsylvania’s comprehensive system of care for children and families at risk of developing serious emotional disturbance and/or substance abuse disorders. He facilitated trainings for Catholic Social Services Beacon After-School, St. Francis Homes for Children and Summer Camp Programs and The United Way. He served as a board member for Bear Creek Lutheran Summer Camp Conference and Retreat Center. Currently he is a mobile family therapist for Mentor PA and is an adjunct professor at Camden County Community College. He also is a full time PhD student at Eastern University.

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. He is also an active member of The United Way of Southeast Delco, Community Capital Works, the Chester Business and Community Development Corporation, Widener Partnership Charter School, the President’s Advisory Board of Widener University, Eastern University Charter School, and the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. Jim is an ordained minister at New Life Ministries International under the leadership of Apostle, Dr. Joyce E. Scott. He is married to his partner Deborah; together they have a blended family of 3 children.

Rev. Dr. Robin B. Weinstein (has served the board since 2012) is a life-long resident of southern New Jersey. He is the Pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Bridgeton NJ and is also an Assistant Professor in the College of Business at Wilmington University. Dr. Weinstein is also an organizational development and human resources consultant. He attended Eastern University in Saint Davids, PA and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Justice, Law, and Society.  Dr. Weinstein is also a graduate of Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he was the first Wilberforce Public Policy Research Scholar, with a Masters of Theological Studies in Faith and Public Policy. Dr. Weinstein has served as a graduate intern for the United States Senate and a legislative aide for the New Jersey legislature. Dr. Weinstein is also a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and earned his doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University. In 2006, he was hired as the first Human Resources Manager and Public Information for the County of Salem in New Jersey. In 2007, he was appointed Deputy County Administrator & Deputy Clerk of the Board for the County of Salem. In this role he oversaw the Department of Administrative Services, as well as the day to day operations of the County.  Dr. Weinstein's community activities include: Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the United Way of Salem County (currently a member), board member of Witney's Lights, and trustee for the Eastern University Academy Charter School.  He is also an editorial board member for the Journal of Business and Financial Affairs and Journal of Business and Hotel Management. He has served as a member of the Salem Community College Trustee Search Committee, Salem County Children's Health and Welfare Advisory Council, and the Salem County Tourism Advisory Council.

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.

EUACS will be dedicated to the notion that students should be able to communicate in a second language, and to think about issues and problems from the perspective of another culture.

Students will engage the arts to communicate creatively and effectively, to create selfawareness and develop aesthetic competence. Through their projects and internships, students will learn to express themselves through fine art, music, dance or drama, and to express themselves through visual media.

Reading, writing, speaking, and listening are integral to academic success and will be central to students’ work at EUACS and in their internships. Language arts skills will be taught across the curriculum at EUACS, with students constantly writing discursively, speaking in public forums, and reading silently, aloud and dramatically. Reading comprehension skills are critical to life-long learning. Students will use authentic literature to study history, science, mathematics, the arts, and other content areas. Students also read to satisfy particular interests and for entertainment.