Science Leadership Academy

What Science Leadership Academy does

Science Leadership Academy (SLA) is a public magnet high school operating within the School District of Philadelphia, having opened its doors on September 7, 2006. The school delivers inquiry-driven, project-based education to grades 9 through 12, emphasizing a technology-infused learning environment with a 1:1 laptop program and core values of inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation, and reflection. Its core academic offerings include Capstone presentations, Independent Learning Projects (ILPs), the Rough Cut Film digital video production program, performing arts, athletics, and community service initiatives. The underlying technology stack is a modest set of standard educational tools—Canvas LMS, Google Docs, Vimeo, and student blogging platforms—and is described as a 'School 2.0 Pioneer Model' rather than a proprietary technology platform.

SLA sits within a network of strategic community partnerships that extend its educational footprint, including The Franklin Institute (annual graduation venue and science fair participation), Wilma Theater (in-class theater residencies), Philadelphia Young Playwrights (annual playwriting festival recognition), State Farm (Maker Space funding), and Leah Stein Dance Company (site-specific dance projects). As a public institution, SLA does not charge tuition; revenue inflows are limited to nominal ancillary items such as yearbook sales priced at $60 per hardcover book. Student enrollment flows through the School District of Philadelphia's centralized school selection process, with SLA participating in interview weekends and selective admissions. The school operates from a primary campus at 1482 Green Street in Philadelphia, with a second campus planned at the Beeber Middle School site to expand capacity.

The school is positioned as a pioneer of the School 2.0 movement, with brand visibility through Apple, PBS NewsHour, and Edutopia, and it maintains an active public-facing website and blog showcasing student work, athletics, theater productions, and academic accomplishments. Governance and funding flow through the School District of Philadelphia; SLA does not operate as a commercial enterprise and has no equity ownership, venture backing, or independently reported revenue.

Name

Science Leadership Academy

Legal name

Science Leadership Academy

Website

https://scienceleadership.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Science Leadership Academy is a public magnet high school in Philadelphia, opened in 2006, offering inquiry-driven, project-based education with technology integration to grades 9-12 within the School District of Philadelphia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & STEM Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAH)

Keywords

• Public secondary education
• Project-based learning
• Inquiry-driven education
• Magnet high school
• 21st century learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Science Leadership Academy is an inquiry-driven, project-based public high school serving students in grades 9 through 12 in Philadelphia. Its core offering is a tuition-free secondary education program built on a technology-infused, student-centered pedagogy emphasizing inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation, and reflection. Program components include Capstone projects, Independent Learning Projects (ILPs), a 1:1 laptop program, a digital video production track (Rough Cut Film), performing arts, athletics, and college-preparatory academics.

Product overview

Science Leadership Academy is a single-location public high school offering a unified educational program. The school operates as a technology-infused, project-based learning environment where students engage in inquiry-driven education. Key program components include Capstone presentations, Independent Learning Projects (ILPs), a digital video production program (Rough Cut Film), music and performing arts, athletic programs, and community service initiatives. The school follows a collaborative advisory model and integrates technology across all subject areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Science Leadership Academy High School Education Program An inquiry-driven, project-based public high school program for 9th–12th grade students in Philadelphia, delivered through a technology-infused (1:1 laptop, Canvas LMS, Google Docs, Vimeo, student blogging) environment that emphasizes the core values of inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation, and reflection. The program includes Capstone presentations, Independent Learning Projects (ILPs), a Rough Cut Film digital video track, performing arts, athletics, and college-preparatory academics. Tuition is not charged; admission occurs via the School District of Philadelphia school selection process.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• School District of PhiladelphiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSLA is part of the School District of Philadelphia network of schools, operating under the district's governance, policies, and funding structures. The district provides administrative support, funding, and operational frameworks.
• The Franklin InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual graduation ceremonies held at The Franklin Institute. Students participate in science fair competitions and programs at the institute. Franklin Institute Board of Trustees honors SLA seniors with scholarships.
• Wilma TheatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing theater residency program where Wilma Theater professionals work with SLA students in English classes, providing professional development and student engagement in dramatic arts.
• Philadelphia Young PlaywrightscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSLA students regularly win and are featured in the Philadelphia Young Playwrights' Annual Playwrighting Festival, with multiple student plays being recognized and produced.
• Leah Stein Dance CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Art in the Open festival where SLA 11th graders create site-specific dance pieces under professional guidance.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• High Tech High: San Diego-based network of public charter schools founded in 2000 that pioneered project-based, technology-infused learning in K-12. The most direct methodological analog to SLA's School 2.0 inquiry-driven model.
• New Tech Network: National network of project-based learning schools (K-12) that uses technology integration and inquiry-driven instruction. Comparable to SLA in pedagogy and in operating as part of a broader district system.
• Summit Public Schools: Public charter school network known for self-directed, project-based learning and personalized learning plans. Operates with similar technology integration and student-centered pedagogy as SLA.
• Big Picture Learning: Network of public schools organized around personalized, project-based learning with deep community partnerships and internships. Shares SLA's emphasis on authentic learning experiences over traditional instruction.
• Envision Schools: Bay Area public charter high schools operating a portfolio-based, project-based learning model with significant technology integration. Shares SLA's emphasis on exhibitions, presentations, and applied learning.
• Boston Day and Evening Academy: Boston public high school using competency-based, project-based learning with flexible scheduling for non-traditional students. Comparable in being a public magnet-style school with an innovative pedagogical model.

Regional players

• School of the Future (NYC): New York City public high school focused on technology-infused, project-based learning. Operates as a comparable alternative public high school model in a different urban district.

Emerging players

• Inquiry Schools: Network of project-based public elementary and middle schools in New York City built on inquiry-driven learning. A smaller, geographically concentrated analog of SLA's pedagogy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/slanews

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Science Leadership Academy