Our Story
In 2006, the School District of Philadelphia called on Dr. Naomi Johnson Booker to take over a failing charter school. The school was renamed Global Leadership Academy Schools (GLA) to reflect its new Global Studies and Leadership curriculum that would send scholars on learning excursions across the globe as they prepare to become future leaders of the world.
Transforming A Community
As part of the school’s transformation, Dr. Booker and her leadership staff decided that students would be given the title of “scholars.” This is because scholars take responsibility for their learning. Anyone who is enrolled in a school is a “student,” but not all students are scholars--and all GLA students will become scholars. Enthusiastic about the opportunities Dr. Booker and her staff brought into the community, families embraced their children’s new title.
GLA is located within one of Philadelphia’s most financially challenged zip codes. For the most part, area youth do not travel beyond their neighborhood’s ten-block radius. Although they can see Philadelphia’s glorious skyline, few experience the city’s rich history and culture. That changed for GLA scholars as they would embark upon learning excursions at every grade level during their K-8 academic journey.
thoughtful locations
GLA is located in one of Philadelphia’s most financially challenged zip codes. Traditionally, area youth rarely left their neighborhood’s ten-block radius. And though many could see Philadelphia’s glorious skyline at a distance, few would experience the city’s rich history and culture. That was about to change for GLA scholars as they would embark upon learning excursions at every grade level during their K-8 journey.
global access
Scholars begin their learning excursions in kindergarten. They travel to Center City to visit historic sites such as the Liberty Bell and Richard Allen’s gravesite at Mother Bethel A.M.E. church. Each school year, the scholars venture further away from the school as they explore Pennsylvania’s Amish Country, witness the state legislature at work in Harrisburg, and visit a historic site in Washington D.C. such as the Holocaust Museum.
During their middle school years, scholars embark upon cultural, historic, and Civil Rights excursions. In sixth grade, they follow the Underground Railroad from Philadelphia’s Belmont Mansion heading north into Canada. As they return, the scholars swing through Michigan, stopping at the Motown Museum for a taste of history as they learn the significant contribution African Americans gave to most genres of modern American music through blues, R&B, and rock’n’roll.
In seventh grade, the scholars head out for a Civil Rights excursion that spans Birmingham to Atlanta then to Memphis at the Lorraine Hotel where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. In eighth grade, the graduating scholars embark upon their capstone excursion to an overseas destination where they see firsthand the horrors of slavery from a view of the international theater. Excursions included Africa, Bahamas, China, and Haiti, with Jamaica scheduled the year the pandemic temporarily suspended travel.
“My daughter just graduated from GLA! The teachers did a great job helping her improve in all areas of her studies.
She’s heading off to high school this year because of these great educators. We love you all so much!”
-Petranne Lewis
Expanding the model
Noting the successful and exceptional transformation at Global Leadership Academy Schools, the School District of Philadelphia asked Dr. Booker in 2016 to take management of one of its failing K-8 schools, the former Samuel B. Huey Elementary School. Dr. Booker accepted the District’s request and renamed the school Global Leadership Academy School Southwest. Following the same model as GLA (renamed GLA-West with the acquisition of Huey), GLA-SW demonstrated tremendous academic growth in just two years as reflected in its 2018 state PVAAS scores.