Ethel Allen School

Students at Dr. Ethel Allen School
Welcome to
Dr. Ethel Allen School

Dr. Ethel Allen School, situated in the Strawberry Mansion section of North Philadelphia, is a public elementary school serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. As part of the School District of Philadelphia, Ethel Allen is committed to providing a high-quality education in a safe and nurturing environment.

Dr. Ethel Allen School logo featuring a smiling green alligator mascot standing inside a shield with the school name displayed on a blue banner.

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Join a safe, supportive school community where students grow, learn, and thrive.

Principal’s Message

Welcome to Dr. Ethel Allen School!

At Dr. Ethel Allen School, we believe every student has the potential to learn, grow, and succeed. Our school is built on a strong partnership between students, families, educators, and the community, creating a supportive environment where every child feels valued, challenged, and inspired.

Our guiding motto—One Team, One Goal, No Excuses—reflects our shared commitment to academic excellence, personal responsibility, and respect for one another. Together, we foster a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment where students are encouraged to develop confidence, curiosity, and the skills they need for lifelong success.

We know that education is most successful when schools and families work together. By staying connected, supporting regular attendance, and encouraging learning beyond the classroom, families play an essential role in helping every student reach their full potential.

Thank you for being part of the Dr. Ethel Allen School community. We look forward to partnering with you as we celebrate achievements, embrace new opportunities, and help every student thrive.

Jacqueline Mack
Principal
Dr. Ethel Allen School

Excellence begins here! One Team. One Goal. No Excuses!

Portrait of Jacqueline Mack, Principal of Dr. Ethel Allen School, wearing a teal blazer and white blouse, standing in a bright office space.
Front exterior of Dr. Ethel Allen School in Philadelphia, showing the two-story brick school building, main entrance, school sign, mural, and landscaped front courtyard.

Our School

Ethel Allen is more than a school—it’s a neighborhood anchor where students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. With dedicated educators, a strong sense of community, and a commitment to equity, we prepare students from Pre-K to 8th grade to thrive in high school and beyond.

Our History

Dr. Ethel Allen School is named in honor of Dr. Ethel D. Allen (1929–1981), a pioneering physician, civic leader, and public servant. A Philadelphia native, Dr. Allen became the first Black woman elected to the Philadelphia City Council in 1971 and later served as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Commonwealth. Throughout her career, she championed education, healthcare, and equal opportunities for underserved communities, leaving a lasting legacy of leadership and service.

The school originally opened as Lehigh Elementary School. In 1982, the School District of Philadelphia renamed the school in honor of Dr. Allen, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to the city and her lifelong commitment to improving the lives of Philadelphia’s children and families.

Today, Dr. Ethel Allen School continues to honor its namesake by fostering academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement. Inspired by Dr. Allen’s vision of opportunity and service, the school empowers students to become confident learners, compassionate leaders, and active members of their communities.

Attendance & Bell Schedule

Bell Schedule

School Day: 8:15 – 2:54 p.m.
Breakfast: 8:00 – 8:15 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 – 11:45 (K-2), 11:45 – 12:30 (3-5), 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. (6-8)
Recess: 15 minutes included in the lunch times for 2025-2026

For details on early dismissals, inclement weather procedures, delayed openings, and emergency closings, please refer to the Parent & Student Handbook.

Specific student schedules may differ depending on class sections.

Attendance

Attendance matters! The consistency for both students and teachers is critical to success. Consequences can come from excessive or unexcused absences.

Points of Pride

  • Multi-generational school community
  • Officially No Place for Hate Recognition – 2023-2024
  • 2025-2026 – Year over Year Growth Award for 5% increase of student attendance
  • Dr. Ethel Allen successfully exited CSI status in 2025-2026

Extracurricular Sports, Clubs & Activities

Our school offers several programs to broaden the horizons of our young scholars. We offer a variety of extracurricular clubs geared toward student interests and abilities.

  • Basketball
  • Track
  • Crochet Club

After-School & Summer Programming

Right At School (RAS)
Right At School (RAS) provides on-site before- and after-school programs that offer students a safe, engaging environment outside of the regular school day. Programs include homework support, hands-on enrichment activities, creative projects, physical activity, games, and opportunities to build friendships in a fun and supportive setting.

Families can explore program availability, schedules, and registration information by visiting the Right At School website.

Learn more

Out-of-School Time (OST)
Out-of-School Time (OST) is the time that a child or youth spends in after school or summer programming. In Philadelphia, OST programs are provided for young people in grades K through 12.

Learn more and find a program near you

Summer Programs
Explore free summer programs from the School District of Philadelphia that keep students learning, engaged, and prepared for success.

Learn more about opportunities for your student over the summer.

Community Partnerships

  • Fox Chase Farm – AG Empowerment Partnership
  • Marshall and Dennehey Law Group
  • LLC Mentoring Services
  • Audubon – The Discovery Center
  • Mama Gail – Peace Suite

Dress Code/Uniforms

Students are expected to wear appropriate clothing at all times, including shirts, pants, shorts, dresses, skirts, and proper footwear.

Shirt Color:

  • Grades K–5: Navy blue polo shirt
  • Grades 6–8: Gray polo shirt

Pants/Bottoms:

  • Khaki (tan) pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, or jumpers
  • Bottoms must be worn at the waist

Footwear:

  • Closed-toe, closed-back shoes

Not Permitted:

  • Blue jeans
  • Sleeveless or midriff-baring shirts
  • Crocs, UGG slides, sandals, slides, flip-flops, or other open-back shoes
  • Full-face coverings, including ski masks, balaclavas, or similar masks that conceal the face (except for approved medical or religious reasons)

If a student violates the dress code:

  • A parent/guardian may be contacted
  • The school may provide loaner clothing, or request a change of clothes be brought to school

See our uniform policy for more details.

Student Handbook & Policies

Student Handbook & Policies

Policies

School Improvement Plan – Title I Documents

View your school’s School Improvement Plan
Request a translation of your school’s plan

If you do not have web access or need additional assistance, please contact planningsupports@philasd.org for support.

Annual Notification of Rights under FERPA

The School District of Philadelphia is required to annually notify parents and eligible students of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). These rights include the right to inspect and review education records, request amendments, consent to disclosures, and file a complaint.

View the Annual FERPA Notice

For questions, please contact the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Dr. Ethel Allen School logo featuring a smiling green alligator mascot standing inside a shield with the school name displayed on a blue banner.

At A Glance

Principal: Jacqueline Mack, M.S. Ed.
Grade Levels: K–8
Learning Network: 5
Student Enrollment: 273
School Data & Statistics

Phone: 215-400-7040
Fax: 215-400-7041

Address:
3200 W Lehigh Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19132

SEPTA – Trip Planner

Calendar

School Event Calendar

We maintain a school calendar that highlights important events such as parent-teacher conferences, school performances, testing dates, and more.

View Our School Calendar

District Academic Calendar

The School District of Philadelphia provides an official academic calendar each year that includes start and end dates, holidays, report card conferences, and more.

View the District Academic Calendar

Academics

At Dr. Ethel Allen School, we provide a rigorous, student-centered academic program that supports the whole child. Through engaging instruction in English Language Arts and Mathematics, students build strong academic foundations while developing critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Our classrooms foster high expectations, active learning, and meaningful student discussion, with targeted supports and interventions to help every student succeed. We are committed to preparing students with the academic, social, and emotional skills they need to thrive in high school and beyond.

View our full academic overview to learn more about our curriculum and academic programs.

Multilingual Curriculum & Programs - Language Access Support Services - ESOL services

The School District of Philadelphia provides a variety of programs and services in many languages to support our multilingual families. Students whose first language is not English may qualify for ESOL services.

Need Help? Contact your school’s Bilingual Counseling Assistant


Programs & Services

Multilingual Curriculum and Programs
Learn more about the different programs and opportunities offered for multilingual students and families, and to get assistance with any District-related questions or processes.

Language Access Support Services
Learn more about accessing interpretation/translation services, including Bilingual Counseling Assistants (BCAs) assigned to your school, and other resources.

Language Access Concern
Your feedback is essential in helping us improve language access within our District. If you’ve encountered a language-related challenge, such as a communication barrier, translation issue, or interpretation challenge, your input helps us improve our services.

Special Education - Accommodations - Specialized Services

Our school is committed to providing specialized services to children in the least restrictive environment, as required by the law. Students receive accommodations and modifications as outlined in their Individualized Educational Program (IEP).

The District provides an extensive range of educational services and supports for students with diverse needs within our schools.

Learn more about IEPs and Special Education Programs.

Enrollment

Welcome to Dr. Ethel Allen School! We’re excited to welcome new students in PreK, Kindergarten, and Grades 1–8.

Not sure if Ethel Allen is your neighborhood school? Check with the School Finder Tool

Enroll in PreK

A child’s success in school begins with PreK. That's why our school provides a PreK program that offers free nutritious meals, a high-quality curriculum, access to nurses and special needs support.

Enroll in Kindergarten

Students must be 5 years of age on or before September 1st to start Kindergarten. You can register online or contact our school for help.

Enroll in Grades K–8

If you live in our neighborhood (catchment area), you can enroll your child online through the District’s enrollment system.

Student Pathway

Ethel Allen students usually follow this path:

K–8: Dr. Ethel Allen School

9–12: Strawberry Mansion High School

This pathway ensures a continuous educational course within the School District of Philadelphia, providing students with a cohesive academic experience from elementary through high school.

School Selection

The School Selection Process allows students in Pre-K through 11th grade to explore and apply to attend schools outside their catchment area each fall, based on available space.

Health & Wellness

School Nurse

Our school nurse provides immediate care for health concerns, conducts required screenings, and supports students’ overall wellness.

For details on medication administration, mandated screenings, immunizations, and other health services, please refer to the Parent & Student Handbook.

➜ Need Help? Contact your School Nurse

Immunization Requirements & Health Services

Pennsylvania law requires all students to be fully immunized or officially exempt before attending school. This is mandated by the PA Department of Health, Philadelphia County Board of Health, and the School District of Philadelphia.
Learn about immunizations, physicals, and wellness programs

Mental Health Resources

Find free support, counseling, and tools to care for your mental well-being.
View Resources

Vaping/Smoking Resources

Family guides, free tools, and support to help quit vaping or smoking.
View Resources

Resources

Parent & Family

Parent and Family Portal

Log in to the Parent & Family Portal to view school announcements, messages from your child’s teacher, and access grades, test scores, attendance, immunization records, and report cards.

Family Hub

Visit the Family Hub for help with registration, academics, special education, English learner support, student records, transportation, and more.

Google Classroom

Log in to Google Classroom using your student’s Chromebook and District credentials to view classwork and homework. For help, see the Google Classroom Login Directions.

Chromebook Support

Get Chromebook help and support including repair locations, resources, and FAQs.

Transportation

View transportation services for bus routes, bus status, the Flat Rate Program, and support.

Accommodations & Multilingual Support

Request translation or accessibility accommodations for any school or District event.

AHERA Inspection Reports

View AHERA inspection reports for asbestos material status and school-specific details.

Students

Student Hub

Visit the Student Hub for help with academics, athletics, records, college & career planning, CTE programs, and more.

Working Papers

Learn more about how to obtain working papers.

Get Involved

Parent & Family University

Parent & Family University provides free resources, courses, and support to help parents and families engage with their children, schools, and community.
Learn more about Parent & Family University

Volunteer

We love parent involvement! Make a positive impact at our school by volunteering your time and talents.
Find out how to become a volunteer

School Advisory Councils (SACs)

SACs are peer-elected groups of family members, school staff, students (grades 7–12), and community members who work together to support academic success and strengthen school partnerships.
Learn more about School Advisory Councils

Contact Us

Stay Connected

Phone: 215-400-7040
Fax: 215-400-7041

Staff Directory
Parent & Family Portal
Google Classroom
Contact Central Office: Get help with enrollment, special education, student records, and more.

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