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High Road School of Philadelphia

Designed to nurture your student’s academic, social, and behavioral growth, High Road School of Philadelphia provides individualized instruction in smaller, structured classrooms. Our private day school goes beyond what typical classrooms provide, offering an evidence-based approach including a comprehensive range of specialized services and a team of highly-trained educators to help students—and their families—shine.

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School Info

Address

1200 West Allegheny Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19133

Hours
Mon – Fri 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Grades
7-12

Phone
1-267- 930-3603

  • School Calendar

    Learn more about important dates on our 2025-2026 school year calendar.
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High Road School of Philadelphia is where students with academic, emotional, and behavioral needs uncover their potential through individualized learning that goes beyond what most classrooms can offer. In our private day schools, we meet each student where they are.

Smaller class sizes and high-quality, student-centered instruction allow our teachers, therapists, and staff to build strong connections with each student in nurturing, respectful, structured, and positive learning environments. Drawing from a comprehensive range of specialized services, High Road School educators implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to help each student shine—at school, at home, and in the community.

Our students benefit from SESI’s Integrated Multi-Tiered Systems of Support that:

    • Individually support each student’s academic, behavioral, and emotional needs
    • Prevent barriers to learning in our classroom environments
    • Connect our team with students, staff, families and district partners to ensure the growth of essential skills outside of the classroom setting

Through evidence-based, data-driven instruction that is aligned with your student’s strengths and IEP goals, we meet your student where they are. In other words, we do not tier your student, we tier our supports to uniquely meet your student’s needs.

Strong relationships with our students, families, and school district partners are our highest priority. Together, we shine a bright light on the possibility and untapped potential of every High Road School student.

Related services offered at this school include counseling services, sensory rooms, and social work services tailored to student needs.

Discover What Sets High Road School of Philadelphia Apart

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Our Learning Pathways

  • Spark: Academic and Behavior Support​

    Spark: Academic and Behavior Support​

    Students We Serve

    • Students with strong academic potential and behavioral or emotional challenges
    • Learners impacted by trauma, adversity, or unstable home environments
    • Students navigating school avoidance, anxiety, or juvenile justice involvement
    • Those needing support with regulation, peer relationships, and trust-building
    Spark Student Profiles
  • Academic and Behavioral Support

    Academic and Behavioral Support

    We cultivate learning environments where instruction aligns with industry standards and district-specific curriculum requirements and ongoing support encourages prosocial behavior inside and outside the classroom.

  • Graduation and Postsecondary Readiness

    Graduation and Postsecondary Readiness

    No matter where a student’s unique learning journey leads, SESI helps prepare them for the next step—whether that’s graduation, vocational school, or job training.

  • Individualized Student Support

    Individualized Student Support

    We are passionate about fostering all facets of growth—academic, behavioral, and emotional—ensuring students are nurtured as a whole person and develop the skills they need to achieve rewarding futures.

Meet Our Team

With deep experience and dedication to helping all students discover their full potential, our leaders provide an unwavering commitment to supporting our teachers, therapists, and other staff while fostering relationships with families and district partners.

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  • Matt has a substantial career in special education spanning 25 years. He has occupied various roles including as a teacher, coordinator, and director at alternative schools across Pennsylvania. Currently, he is the Program Director at High Road School of Philadelphia, a position he has held since January 2020.

    Matt has been with High Road School of Philadelphia since its inception in the fall of 2014. Academically, he holds a master’s degree in education, with a specialization in special education from Arcadia University, and a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Oregon.

  • Waverly has been working with SESI since 2015, during which time he has assumed several leadership roles in different programs throughout Philadelphia. His roles have included leadership positions in programs such as AEDY (Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth), autistic support, and full-time emotional support.

    He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from East Stroudsburg University, where he also played football. Additionally, he earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Grand Canyon University. Waverly is focused on fostering a strong cultural identity and improving academic outcomes in inner-city, urban communities.

What People Are Saying

Across our schools and programs, we’re proud to partner with families, educators, and district leaders to support student success. Hear firsthand how our collaborative approach, experienced staff, and commitment to individualized education are making a lasting impact in classrooms and communities.

  • Good program

    Danielle W.
View All School Testimonials

Events & Stories

  • School Events and Stories

    Class of 2023 Senior Luncheon
    High Road School of Philadelphia celebrated their senior year at our Senior Luncheon at the Cheesecake Factory! After lunch, they…
    May 23, 2023
  • School Events and Stories

    Winter Classic Basketball Game
    This “Winter Classic” staff vs. student basketball game was played on 3/10/2023 at a local Philadelphia recreation center! Learn more…
    March 10, 2023
  • School Events and Stories

    HRS Philadelphia went skating!
    Students at High Road School of Philadelphia went skating! Learn more about our school today.
    October 18, 2022

Resources

  • Articles

    Sierra School of Antioch Celebrating the promotion ceremony for 2025
    Sierra School of Antioch Celebrating the promotion ceremony for 2025
  • Articles

    Student Spotlight: King Branch-Johnson of Excel Middle Years Academy, Class of 2025
    When King Branch-Johnson was just 11, he faced expulsion from school – a moment that could have changed the course of…
  • Articles

    Congratulations Isaiah Class of 2025
    We are so proud to celebrate Isaiah as our representative of Sierra Gilbert’s Class of 2025. Isaiah has grown so much…

FAQ’s

  • If you work at a school district and want to learn more about our school and the referral process, the next step is to contact us directly. We’ll provide detailed information about our programs, answer your questions, and set-up a time for you to come tour our program.

  • We individualize the learning experience by creating a tailored plan for each student based on their unique strengths, needs, and goals. This includes personalized instruction, behavioral support, and regular progress monitoring to ensure growth academically, socially, and emotionally. By collaborating closely with families and school districts, we provide a supportive environment where every student can thrive.

  • The next step is to contact us to schedule a tour of our school. This will give you the opportunity to meet our team, explore our facilities, and learn more about how we can support your child.

  • You can schedule a tour by calling our office or filling out the contact form on our website. Our team will work with you to find a convenient time for your visit.

  • We take a holistic approach to education, integrating academic instruction with behavioral support. Small class sizes allow for personalized attention, and our experienced staff uses evidence-based strategies and high-leverage practices to help students build confidence, self-regulation skills, and positive relationships.

Contact High Road School of Philadelphia