Universal Vare Charter School

ADDRESS: 2100 South 24th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19145

PHONE: (215) 952-8611 SCHOOL TYPE: Public Charter Neighborhood GRADES: 5-8 ENROLLMENT: 218

Fast Facts

Principal
Mrs. Karen Howell-Toomer
Phone Number
(215) 952-8611
Email
Website
Neighborhood
Grays Ferry
SEPTA Routes
Bus (79)
Preschool/Daycare

Apply Now

Application Deadline
2025-01-21
Tuition
Uniform
Yes
Extended Day

Mission

Universal Vare is the ONLY career and technical education middle school program in South Philadelphia! At Universal Vare STEM and Arts Academy, we are specialists in working with middle school students in grades five through eight. We know how to guide scholars towards independence while providing the support they need. We offer parents and students the educational tools scholars need to succeed in middle school and beyond. We strive to construct a stable middle school learning environment, where academic excellence is the center focus to developing the whole child. Our highly qualified, certified faculty and staff use research-based programs; progressive, student-based teaching and learning strategies, and various enrichment programs to support children and families. At Universal Vare, scholars and their families come first! Together, families and schools build a community of life long learners!

Points Of Pride

Universal Vare ranked third overall in the tri-state area in the SEA Perch Robotics program
Career Week focuses on goal setting and financial planning in preparation for our scholars to go to and through college
Universal Vare scholars have access to rigorous coursework: Algebra I and STEM - Universal Vare has two academies: STEM and Arts. Scholars learn how to code and create multimedia projects. Scholars are learning how to create symphonies and beats using Garage Band and beat machines
Have an Afterschool Program that supports scholars with academics as well as extra-curricular activities

Admissions Policy

Open to all students who live in the school attendance zone or catchment area. If space permits, the school may also enroll students who live outside of the attendance zone. Enrollment priority is given to the following groups in this order: Sibling attending, Lives in catchment, Lives in Philadelphia (out-of-catchment)

Accreditations and Honors

2014: City Hall Citation for Educational Leadership
2012: 3rd in the District for First In Math
2012: Positive Behavior Intervention Supports Model School for Universal Family of Schools

Hours of Operation

Sun	-
Mon	8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Tues	8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Wed	8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Thur	8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Fri	8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Sat	-

Extended Programming Details

Entrance Instructions

Demographics

Grade Level	Enrollment
5th Grade	49
6th Grade	34
7th Grade	58
8th Grade	77
Total	218

Race	Percentage
American Indian or Alaskan Native	0 %
Asian	20.64 %
Black	64.68 %
Hispanic (Any Race)	9.63 %
Multi-Racial/Other	4.13 %
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	0 %
White	0.92 %

Low-Income
100%

English Learners
5.5%

Male	Female	Non-Binary
50.92%	49.08 %	%

Special Education
8.26%

Gifted Education
0%

Student Achievement

Last Updated:

Last Updated: 2019-10-24

Raw data measures student performance on standardized tests. Not all schools take the same standardized tests. Direct comparisons between different tests should not be made.

Course Offerings

AP Courses	Electives	Certificate Programs
AP Class Other	The following electives are offered throughout the school year:-Graphic Design, Clay Creations, Vide

CTE/Vocational Programs		Language Programs
Commercial Ad, Web Info		Spanish

Extracurricular Activities

Arts Programs	Sports Programs	Other Sports Programs
Choir;Dance;Dance Instructional;Drill Team;Arts Film;Instrumental;Literature;Other Instrumental;Poetry;School Musicals;School Plays;Theater;Theater Group;Visual	Basketball;Dance;Girls Basketball

Other Activities

Family Engagement

Parent Involvement	Parent Programs	Other Parent Programs
	Parents After School Volunteers;Parents Classroom Volunteers;Parents Home and School Association;Parents School Advisory

Universal Vare is a safe and nurturing school with climate specialists within it to ensure safety in academies. Scholars are taught the appropriate behaviors that make them successful in school and beyond. Scholars are encouraged to respond to all situations using the Vare CARES way. The Vare CARES motto reminds all school staff to be Cooperative, Accountable, Respectful, with high Expectations and Self-control. Universal Vare scholars are taught skills and strategies to help improve and cope with struggles within their lives, and in return act as as change agents to improve their community at large. How is the rating for School Incidents calculated? This rating represents the reportable incident count per 100 students. Reported suspensions and expulsions are not factored into the rating for School Incidents. Learn more about GPS ratings methodology here.

Reported Incidents	Reported Suspensions	Reported Expulsions

This data reflects the total number of incidents, suspensions, and expulsions per 100 students reported by the school to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. To view a reportable incident report for a particular public school, see the Pennsylvania Safe Schools Reports. Data for private schools are derived from similar reports submitted directly to GreatPhillySchools.