Neubauer Fellows Community

Melissa Bragg

Principal, John Hancock Demonstration School
School District of Philadelphia
2024 Neubauer Fellow
Sector
District
Grade Level
K-8
Student Enrollment
648
School/Org Neighborhood
Northeast Philadelphia
Education
M.S in Secondary Education, Chestnut Hill College
BA in English, Howard University
I serve as a principal because all students deserve school environments where they feel seen, safe, and supported.

Melissa Bragg has served as the principal of John Hancock Demonstration School for two years. Under her leadership, staff attendance increased 6%. Hancock’s students scoring at or Above Benchmark in reading and math on the STAR assessment increased by 8%. While at Hancock Melissa, in conjunction with her leadership team, has implemented instructional coaching for all teachers and staff. She has also facilitated a single school culture for both school’s campuses and collaborated with stakeholders to introduce the K-8 mascot, the Hancock Husky. In January of 2024, John Hancock Demonstration School was featured as the Philadelphia Tribune’s School of the Week.

Melissa has been a School District of Philadelphia educator for 18 years. She has had the privilege to teach at LP. Hill Elementary School, GW. Childs Elementary School, and Hill-Freedman World Academy. After deciding to pursue educational leadership, Melissa was accepted into the Philly PLUS program in 2016. Prior to serving as principal at Hancock, Melissa was an Assistant Principal at Baldi Middle School in Northeast Philadelphia for five years.

Melissa is a native Philadelphian and a proud Philadelphia High School for Girls alumna.

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