Central High School, Led by Neubauer Fellow Katharine Davis, Receives National Blue Ribbon Award

On September 19, 2024, Central High School of Philadelphia, led by Neubauer Fellow Katharine Davis, was recognized by the United States Department of Education as a 2024 Blue Ribbon School. Central has won this award twice in the past, in 1987 and 2011, making this the third time the school has received this honor and the first with a Neubauer Fellow at its helm.

Davis is a member of the sixth cohort of Philadelphia Academy of School Leader’s Neubauer Fellowship in Educational Leadership; this esteemed program focuses on the development of key leadership and management skills needed to improve school performance and student outcomes. It also provides participants with a strong professional network of peers.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes high-performing schools as well as those that are effectively working towards closing the achievement gap. It rewards the hard work of educators, families, and communities in developing safe and welcoming school atmospheres that train students to master content which is both challenging and engaging. Davis is the eighth Neubauer Fellow to lead a school honored with this award.

A recognition ceremony celebrating the award was held at which Davis spoke. “The Blue Ribbon Award is an achievement that recognizes the continued academic excellence of the Central High School student body as well as the dedication of our faculty, staff and families,” Davis said. “This achievement memorializes the accomplishments of our entire school community, past and present.”

During her first year as principal, there was a six-percentage point increase in the percentage of economically disadvantaged students receiving an education at Central High School. Despite this shift in enrollment, the number of students dropping out of Central decreased by 22% while the overall four-year graduation rate remained at 98%. Additionally, data from the 2022-23 student survey shows a three percentage-point increase in the percentage of students who feel like they belong at their school.

Davis has overseen increases in student and teacher attendance rates, with 93% of students and 95% of teachers attending 90% or more of school days in 2022-23.  During her tenure there has also been a three-percentage-point increase in the teacher retention rate. Previously, when she was principal of Charles W. Henry School, that school successfully increased its student attendance rates and increased the percentage of its students meeting minimum growth goals.