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A caring community of learners.

The History of New Foundations


A whole-child approach to education since 2000.


New Foundations Charter School Exterior of Building

Building tradition in Northeast Philly.

Founded by Sheryl Perzel and Paul Stadelberger, New Foundations Charter School opened in 2000. Twenty five years later, New Foundations is a prominent fixture in Northeast Philadelphia, as a leader in academic excellence, social-emotional awareness, and community engagement. 

The below History of NFCS highlights our roots, our journey, and our commitment to fulfilling the mission laid out by our founders.

Our Timeline

  • 2000

    2000

    A legacy begins.

    The charter school application for New Foundations is approved by the School District of Philadelphia.

  • The first day of school.

    New Foundations Charter School opens its doors for the first time in northeast Philadelphia to 353 K-8 students and 21 faculty, staff and administrators on September 6th.

  • 2002

    2002

    A permanent home.

    8001 Torresdale Ave - an old Super Fresh Supermarket - is purchased and quickly retrofitted and renovated. Enrollment increases to 410 students.

  • 2004

    2004

    Increasing resources.

    A new addition provides space for more classrooms, special education classroom, library, science laboratory, administrative offices, multipurpose room, and gym.

  • 2005

    2005

    Excellence in academics.

    New Foundations students achieve the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standard, and exceed all of the goals set by the PA Department of Education and the No Child Left Behind Law (NCLB).

  • 2007

    2007

    Building tradition.

    New Foundations students and teachers make AYP for the third consecutive year, and score 15-20 points above the NCLB standards.

  • 2009

    2009

    Expansion with purpose.

    A three-story addition allows for further growth in grades K-3, now with three classrooms each. Students succeed meeting AYP yet again, scoring 15-30 points above the NCLB standards.

  • Defining service-learning excellence.

    NFCS receives the Service-Learning School of Success award from the Education Commission of the States.

  • 2010

    2010

    Our first ten years and our first freshmen.

    Celebrating 10-years, New Foundations welcomes 150 9th graders into the newly established high school! The total school population grows to nearly 800.

  • Above average academic rigor.

    Students score 78.2% proficient or advanced in Reading and 91.3% proficient or advanced in Math - 15-30 points above standards.

  • 2013

    2013

    A home for the high school.

    High school students and staff find a home in their brand new, state-of-the-art facility at 4850 Rhawn Street.

  • Strong and dedicated partnerships.

    Celebrating 10-years of partnership with the National Youth Leadership Council providing service projects and presentations at the annual National Service-Learning Conference.

  • 2014

    2014

    Congratulations, Class of 2014.

    New Foundations promotes the first class of 12th grade graduates.

  • 2015

    2015

    The growing demand.

    Student enrollment now exceeds 1450.

  • 2018

    2018

    Change, evaluation, and renewing the mission.

    School founder and CEO, Paul Stadelberger, retires and welcomes Ron Brady as his successor. New Foundations engages with students, staff and community members to evaluate strengths and areas for growth, which produces a 5-year Strategic Plan detailing the goals and direction of the school for the future.

  • Combining experience with impact.

    Every New Foundations student participates in a school-coordinated service-learning experience, impacting thousands of beneficiaries.

  • 2020

    2020

    Demonstrating creative adaptability.

    In the face of a global pandemic, New Foundations was one of the first schools in Philadelphia to quickly and efficiently transition students and staff from on campus learning to remote learning, maintaining their commitment to safety, academic rigor, community and social awareness.

  • Twenty Years: Excellence in Education

    This year marks 20 years of New Foundations providing students with the academic, social, and emotional foundations and skills necessary to be high achieving, socially competent stewards of their communities.

  • A new look.

    In August of 2020, New Foundations reveals an updated brand with new logos and colors, as well as launches a new website.

  • 2021

    2021

    Returning to the building.

    Fall of 2021 students and staff return to in-person learning

  • 2022

    2022

    Continuing forward.

    In the summer of 2022, New Foundations welcomed a new Chief Executive Officer, Chris Zagacki, to move the mission and success of the school forward.

  • Top-Rated Public High School.

    New Foundations High School was named one of Philadelphia Magazine's 40 Top-Rated Public High Schools in Philadelphia and the Suburbs based on graduation rates, student performance, and other statistical measures.

  • 2024

    2024

    Farm to School Grant

    New Foundations receives Farm-to-School grant from Governor Shapiro’s Administration for their Community Garden.

  • 2025

    2025

    Celebrating 25 Years

    This year New Foundations is celebrating 25 years of continuing excellence.  

  • Service Recognition

    New Foundations Charter School wins the top prize for People's Choice during the Philly Service Award Ceremony. 

  • Community Garden Success

    First Lady Shapiro and the Secretary of Agriculture, Russell Redding visit our School Garden lead by our 8th grade Service-Learning students. As an extension of that visit, students partate in the Governor's residence Annaul Honey Harvest in Harrisburg. There they learned all about bees, harvesting honey and got a surprise visit from Governor Shapiro!