Stormwater Management and Education at the K-8 Penn New School

The Penn-Alexander School's new building opened in September 2002, with classrooms for grades Pre K-8, and state-of-the-art specialized learning spaces. The school is located in a park-like setting featuring a playground, a playing field with a grass amphitheater seating area, a rain garden and a science garden. Located on a five-acre campus site between 42nd and 43rd streets from Locust to Spruce Streets, this unique public school has already been hailed as a "gold standard" by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities for bringing the most effective, research-proven educational practices into the classroom. The Penn-Alexander School opened its new building to children in grades K, 1, 2, 5 and 6 in September 2002, as well as a Head Start classroom, and should eventually house 700 students in grades PreK-8 by 2004. Already serving a diverse student body from the local community, the school will be a centrally located hub of neighborhood life and an active educational partner for other schools in West Philadelphia.