Neubauer Fellows Community

Jamal Dennis

Principal, Crossroads at Hunting Park & Philadelphia Learning Academy North
School District of Philadelphia
2024 Neubauer Fellow
Sector
District
Grade Levels
8-12
Student Enrollment
42,32
School/Org Neighborhood
Hunting Park, Feltonville
Education
M.Ed., PreK-12 Administrative Certification, Cabrini University
M.S in Education, Multicultural Education Certification, Eastern University GSE
BS in Elementary Education West Chester University
I chose to serve as a principal because I believe the African proverb that says "The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth."

Jamal has served as the principal of Crossroads at Hunting Park since 2019 and of Philadelphia Learning Academy North since 2022. During the 2023 – 2024 Fall to Winter STAR assessment, the average student at Crossroads at Hunting Park outgrew 75% of their academic peers nationally in mathematics and 79% of their academic peers nationally in reading.

Jamal has been an educator since 2000. Before becoming a principal, Jamal served as a 6th – 8th grade Math and Science teacher, high school English teacher, middle-year teacher leader, School-Based Teacher Leader, PhillyPLUS resident, and an adjunct professor for the Early Childhood Education Department at Harcum College. He was also the principal of Edward T. Steel from 2015 to 2019.

Outside of school, Jamal currently serves as a Volunteer Fire Fighter for the Lansdowne Fire Department, a board member for Caring People Alliance and Committed Community Mentors, a member of the board of directors for ENSPIRE Foundation, and a member of the Delta Sigma Sigma Alumni Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated. He received the Lang Lang International Music Foundation Keys of Inspiration Grant for $185,000.

In 2023, Jamal received a Citation from the Council of the City of Philadelphia. Jamal is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Bartram Motivation High School.

Fellow Listing