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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2026
A Message from Northwood's Leadership
Dear Northwood Parents/Guardians, Families, and Community Members,
We have completed our beginning-of-year benchmarks, giving our teachers valuable information about students’ strengths, current skills, and next steps for learning. These assessments help us answer an essential question: What does each student need to grow and succeed this year?
Students in kindergarten through second grade completed DIBELS, a brief early literacy screener that helps teachers understand the foundational skills children need to become confident readers. Depending on the grade level, these skills include recognizing letters, identifying and working with sounds, and reading words accurately and fluently.
Students in grades three through eight completed LinkIt! benchmarks in English language arts and mathematics. These assessments help us identify which grade-level skills students already understand and where they need additional instruction and practice.
Beginning-of-year results provide a starting point. Students have not yet received a full year of instruction in their current grade, so these scores should be viewed as information that guides teaching—not as a final judgment of a child’s ability or potential. We consider benchmark results alongside classroom work, teacher observations, and other evidence of learning.
Our leadership team is working with teachers to establish a consistent approach to reviewing results across grades K–8. Together, we are identifying patterns, setting instructional priorities, and planning how to respond to individual student needs.
This work will strengthen instruction throughout the school day, including small-group instruction in grades K–4 and Academic Resource Period in grades 5–8. These opportunities will provide targeted intervention and remediation for students who need additional support, as well as a more coordinated focus on enrichment and acceleration for students who are ready to extend their learning.
Every student must also have access to strong, grade-level core instruction. Additional support must help students access that learning and make meaningful progress. Our goal is to address unfinished learning while continuing to move students forward.
As the year progresses, we will monitor growth and adjust instruction based on what students demonstrate. Families can support this work by encouraging regular attendance, reading together, and staying connected with their child’s teachers.
Thank you for partnering with us. Our commitment is to turn assessment information into thoughtful action so that every Bulldog is challenged, supported, and given opportunities to thrive.
Sincerely,
Dr. Steve Yanni, Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Jason Hamer, Principal
NORTHWOOD'S OCTOBER OUTLOOK
RISING TO EXCELLENCE THROUGH A QUALITY EDUCATION K-12
ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
Application Process
All applications for admission to Northwood Academy Charter School for the 2027–2028 school year must be submitted online through Apply Philly Charter. Families who apply by the lottery deadline will be notified on February 8, 2027, if their child has been selected for admission. Applications received after February 22, 2027 will be placed on the waitlist.
Beginning in late March 2027, families on the waitlist may be contacted on a rolling basis if seats become available. Students will be offered available seats according to their placement on the waitlist established through the Apply Philly Charter process.
Current Northwood Students
Students who are currently enrolled at Northwood Academy Charter School do not need to participate in the Apply Philly Charter lottery process to remain enrolled for the 2027–2028 school year. In December, we will ask all families of our current students to complete an intent to re-enroll form.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
The following requirements must be satisfied:
A completed application for the 2027–2028 school year must be submitted online through Apply Philly Charter.
Families seeking sibling or catchment preference must provide any required documentation. Applicants will be notified electronically if additional documentation is needed. If the required documentation is not provided, the application will be moved to the general lottery.
Students entering kindergarten must be five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2027.
Students who do not reside in Philadelphia may be admitted only when there are no Philadelphia residents applying for the grade in question. Tuition for a non-resident student must be paid by the school district in which the student resides.
IMPORTANT HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
It is important to know that the School District of Philadelphia has revised its timeline for students applying to high school for the 2027–28 school year.
District School Selection: Applications open Monday, October 5 at 4:00 p.m. and close Tuesday, November 24 at 11:59 p.m.
Apply Philly Charter: Applications opened Friday, September 18 and will close Friday, January 15.
Please note that not all charter schools participate in Apply Philly Charter. Families should visit the website of each school their child is interested in to verify application requirements and deadlines. This includes charter, private, independent, and Archdiocesan high schools, as their application timelines may vary.
Visit philasd.org/findyourfit for District schools or applyphillycharter.org for participating charter schools.
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) AT NACS
October SEL Focus: Kindness & Respect 🧡
This month, students are focusing on kindness, respect, inclusion, and bullying prevention through our SEL lessons and activities.
During October, teachers will also complete the DESSA social-emotional screener for students. The DESSA helps us better understand each student’s social-emotional strengths and identify areas where additional support may be helpful. Results may be used to help plan small-group SEL support and interventions for students who could benefit from extra skill-building. Our goal is to continue creating a safe, supportive school community where every student can grow socially, emotionally, and academically. “We are BULLDOGS, Not Bullies!”
NORTHWOOD PARTNERS - STRENGTHENING OUR
SCHOOL/HOME CONNECTIONS
We continue to revitalize our home/school partnership group with Northwood Partners! We are excited about Northwood Partners, a group designed to strengthen the connection between families, educators, and the broader community at Northwood Academy Charter School. We are currently seeking interested individuals who would like to be part of the group.
If you are interested in being part of Northwood Partners, please click here to share your information. In the coming weeks, there will be a meeting of the Northwood Partners, roles will be established, and we will get to work on fostering strong partnerships between school and home and supporting initiatives that enhance learning, school spirit, and community involvement.
Northwood Partners will bring together parents, guardians, staff, and community supporters who share a common goal: helping every Northwood student thrive academically, socially, and personally. Through collaboration, volunteerism, and community engagement, Northwood Partners will work to support programs and opportunities that enrich the school experience for all students.
We look forward to Northwood Partners becoming a group that helps ensure our students’ success.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Northwood is excited to celebrate Character Day on Friday, October 30, 2026! Students and staff are invited to come to school dressed as a favorite book character, hero or heroine, historical figure, community helper, or another positive character or person who inspires them. Our goal is to preserve the fun, excitement, and creativity of dressing up while creating a celebration centered on literacy, imagination, positive role models, and belonging.
Participation Is optional! Dressing up is completely optional! Students who choose not to dress as a character or inspirational person are welcome to wear Northwood spirit wear, fall colors, or their regular school clothes. Everyone will be included in the day's activities, regardless of what they choose to wear.
Participation Is optional! Dressing up is completely optional! Students who choose not to dress as a character or inspirational person are welcome to wear Northwood spirit wear, fall colors, or their regular school clothes. Everyone will be included in the day's activities, regardless of what they choose to wear.
Guidelines for the Day
Guidelines for the Day
To keep the celebration safe, welcoming, and appropriate for school:
Costumes should be school-appropriate and respectful and allow students to participate comfortably in a normal school day.
Weapons or realistic-looking weapon accessories are not permitted.
Blood, gore, frightening imagery, or violent themes are not appropriate.
Students' faces must remain visible.
Costumes should not imitate or stereotype another person's culture, race, religion, disability, or identity.
Please leave elaborate props and valuable accessories at home.
Students should arrive at school already dressed for the day. There will not be time during the school day for students to change clothes, put on costumes, apply makeup, or otherwise prepare.
Most importantly, we want Character & Inspiration Day to feel fun, positive, and inclusive. No student should feel singled out for participating—or for choosing not to participate. We hope this special day brings some extra joy and imagination to our school while reflecting the welcoming community we want Northwood to be.
We will share a follow-up communication regarding this day of student and staff celebration and learning next week!
IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR OUR NACS FAMILIES
Dress Down Days & Uniform Reminders
$2 Fly Fridays Are Here!
Bulldogs, get ready to dress down and show your style! 🎉 Our $2 Fly Fridays are happening October 16 and October 23. Students can purchase their $2 Dress Down ticket through October 8 during lunch, and one ticket covers both dates.
Uniform Expectations
In addition, please remember that students are expected to be in proper uniform each day. Sweatpants of any color are not permitted, and students must wear the appropriate grade-band gym uniform on scheduled gym days.
As cooler weather approaches, please remember that Northwood hoodies may only be worn inside the building on Swag Wednesdays. Uniform cardigans and crewneck sweaters are permitted on all other days.
Tips to Stay Healthy!
As we move through the cold and flu season, we kindly ask families to help reinforce healthy habits at home and at school. One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness is proper handwashing.
Helpful reminders for students:
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after using the restroom.
Use hand sanitizer when handwashing is not available.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
Avoid touching the face, especially the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when feeling unwell to help keep our school community healthy.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Regular school attendance is one of the most important factors in a student's success. Every school day provides valuable opportunities to learn new skills, build friendships, and participate in classroom experiences that are difficult to replace. Pennsylvania law requires all school-age students to attend school every day unless they have a valid, documented excuse. If your child is absent, please help us by:
● Notifying the school as soon as possible.
● Submitting a written or electronic excuse within three (3) school days of your child's return.
● Scheduling medical, dental, and other appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
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