John Bartram High School is a public secondary school serving the neighborhoods of the Southwest Philadelphia area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, is part of the School District of Philadelphia.
On December 4, 1986, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
History On February 5, 1939, John Bartram High School, located at the intersection of 67th Street and Elmwood Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia, opened to 1,700 students for the first time. The school was named after the Philadelphian botanist John Bartram. It was built to relieve overcrowding at West Philadelphia High School due to population growth in the southwest part of the city. According to a history of the school published on its 50th anniversary, the school was originally planned to be built at 74th Street and Dicks Avenue, but the site was changed before construction started. ()
It was one of the first Philadelphia high schools named for a prominent individual rather than a geographic region of the city.
The school is home to the PA-20032 Unit of the Air Force JROTC."Air Force JROTC Units Across the Nation"
School and site structure Structure The building is one city block long, and the school's capacity is about 3000 students. The school's blueprint shows approximately 103 classrooms and 12 staircases. The school has a boys' and a girls' gymnasium for different sporting events. The auditorium can hold about 1077 people. The Art Deco building was designed for 2,750 students but frequently held 3,200 or more.
Curriculum John Bartram students must take four English classes to graduate. English classes are designed to help students improve their reading, grammar, writing, and vocabulary. Optional English classes include SAT English, AP English, Theater, Public Speaking, and AP English Literature.
Feeder Schools Joseph W. Catharine School Benjamin B. Comegys School William Longstreth School Thomas D. Morton School John M. Patterson School Penrose School William T. Tilden Middle School S. Weir Mitchell Elementary School
Notable alumni
Michael Blackson (born 1972) Comedian, Actor, Philanthropist William Bonsall (1923–2015), Olympic gymnast Joe Bryant (1954-2024), basketball player who played in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers Solomon Burke (1936 or 1940–2010), musician Bernie Custis (1928–2017), football player Mary Jane Fonder (1942–2018), convicted murderer Tyrone Garland (born 1992), basketball player Wilson Goode (born 1938), former mayor of Philadelphia DJ Jazzy Jeff (born 1965), musician Chris Kefalos (1945–2022), Greek-American basketball player Patti LaBelle (born 1944), singer, actress David Martin (born 1959), former gridiron football cornerback who played in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football LeagueDavid Martin Stats, Pro-Football-Reference.com. Accessed February 22, 2021. "Born: March 15, 1959 (Age: 61-344d) in Philadelphia, PA... High School: John Bartram (PA)" Earl Monroe (born 1944), basketball player who played in the NBA for the New York Knicks.Cady, Steve. "Earl Monroe: A Spectacular Shooter and a Master Showman", The New York Times, November 14, 1971. Accessed February 22, 2021. "At John Bartram High School, Monroe played center. After graduation, he spent one semester at Temple Prep before dropping out to take a $60‐a‐week job as a shipping clerk." Connie Morgan (1935–1996), professional baseball player Ann A. Mullen (1935–1994), politician who served as mayor of Gloucester Township, New Jersey, and represented New Jersey's 4th legislative district in the New Jersey General Assembly.Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, p. 238. J.A. Fitzgerald, 1991. Accessed February 22, 2021. "Ann A. Mullen, Dem., Gloucester Township: Assemblywoman Mullen was born on Oct. 24, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pa., and attended John Bartram High School in that city." Danny Rapp (1941–1983), Frank Maffei, Joe Terranova, and David White (1939–2019), doo-wop group Danny & the Juniors Irvin "Bo" Roberson (1935–2001), football player, track athlete Al-Hajj Shabazz (born 1992), American football cornerback who played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers.Al-Hajj Shabazz, West Chester Golden Rams. Accessed February 22, 2021. "Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa.; High School: John Bartram" Jimmy Wilkes (1925–2008), major league baseball outfielder in the Negro National League Erik Williams (born 1968), football player Frank Wolf (born 1939), Congressman for Virginia's 10th district
References
External links John Bartram High School The School District of Philadelphia Pennsylvania State Department of Education