Dr. Khary Moody

Khary has served as the principal of the James R. Ludlow Elementary school since 2018. Under his leadership the James R. Ludlow has developed a caring and safe environment where students can feel safe learning and where every adult in the building is respected as an educator of children. During the 2022-2023 school year, James R. Ludlow experienced a 6.7% growth in Reading and an 14% growth in Math on the PSSA’s over the span of two years. Additionally within the same two year time span Kindergarten through Second grade student increased their reading by 22.8% as measured by the STAR Assessment.

Khary began his work in education in 2001 working in the School District of Philadelphia’s Alternative Education Department. In 2003 Khary became the Program Coordinator for the RETI-WRAP Program where he and his team worked to transition adjudicated and incarcerated youth back into schools. In 2011 Khary was appointed the site administrator to the Philadelphia Youth Development Academy (PYDA). PYDA was a school program specifically designed for returning adjudicated youth to earn the diploma while crafting a plan for post secondary success. Eventually in 2014, Khary became the principal of Dimner Beeber Middle School in West Philadelphia. Khary is a 2024 recipient of the Linback Award for Distinguished Principals. Khary is a Philadelphia native, growing up primarily in the Mt. Airy and Germantown sections of the city. Khary considers himself a product of the School District of Philadelphia, attending public schools from kindergarten through 9th grade. However he ultimately graduated high school from Cardinal Dougherty High School.