by Lisa Haver, Deborah Grill, and Lynda Rubin
Three of the six most highly paid administrators identified in String Theory’s most recent tax information are members of the Corosanite family: Chief Executive Officer Angela Corosanite, Chief Information Officer Jason Corosanite, and Director of Facilities Thomas Corosanite. Their total salary and compensation, as listed in the charter management organization’s 2021 IRS 990, comes to almost $900,000. String Theory manages only two schools in the city, but the company has six administrators making over $100,000 in salary and compensation. In addition, each school has its own CEO. Why does a network of only two schools need so many highly-paid administrators?
There are no guidelines for charter compensation, that is, no schedule of salary steps as there is for district principals and administrators. Ad Prima charter, a small charter school with 600 students, has a CEO, a principal and a “site director” on staff, all paid over $100,000.00 in salary and compensation. Community Academy charter has a CEO, deputy CEO, a Chief Academic Officer and deputy CAO. Pan American, an elementary school with 750 students, lists eight administrators. Folk Arts Cultural Treasures (FACTS), on the other hand, has one administrator making over $100,000. Global Leadership Academy is a two-school network. Each school has its own CEO–one making more than the district’s superintendent, the other making slightly less. GLA’s principal made over $11,000 more than a district principal with seven years or more of principal experience.
The question is: What does a charter CEO do? In charter schools with a principal, school leader, several assistant principals and a cultural director, what duties are left for a CEO? One superintendent oversees the 217 public schools in the School District of Philadelphia, at a salary of $335,000. Based on most recent federal tax information, the total salary and compensation paid to the city’s charter CEOs is over $10 million. The individual boards of each charter school, or the board of a charter chain, decides on the salary of the CEO and other administrators. There is no uniform system that takes into account years of experience. Charter schools are publicly funded; all charter administrators are paid with tax dollars.
How can charter schools afford so many highly-paid administrators? A 2016 report by City Controller Alan Butkovitz showed that the district spends more of its per-pupil funding on classroom instruction than charters, who spend a higher percentage on administration.
There has been a dearth of consistent, in-depth writing on charter business in local news media. Thus, several misconceptions about charter schools have taken root. The first is that there are two educational systems: the district’s public schools in one and the city’s charter schools in another. In reality, the district’s 217 schools make up one sector with one administration; each of the 83 schools are separate entities, each with its own administration. The state’s charter law considers each charter school, in many ways, its own separate district. Charter chains such as Mastery, Universal and American Paradigm have their own administrations, in addition to the administrators at each of the schools they manage. It is the most wasteful, inefficient system imaginable, especially in a chronically underfunded system. And it affords little accountability to the public.
Performance doesn’t appear to matter when the board of a charter school decides on compensation for its administrators. Global Leadership Academy at Huey failed to meet academic, organizational, and financial standards on its 2020 renewal evaluation, with PSSA proficiency scores lower than both district and peer schools in all tested subjects for four years. The Board of Education cited GLA’s poor performance at its Renaissance charter as one reason it denied the organization its application for a high school last year. Yet GLA’s CEOs are among the highest paid in the city, one making more than the District superintendent. Many of the schools whose administrators were paid bonuses failed to meet standards in their most recent renewal evaluations, including several Mastery charters.
Mathematics Civics Science (MCS) Charter School, whose enrollment has declined by 10% over the past 5 years, failed to meet all three standards in its 2022 renewal evaluation, with PSSA and Keystone proficiency scores lower than both district and peer schools in all tested subjects in the 2022-23 school year. The district did not recommend non-renewal this year despite the fact that the school failed to meet standards in all categories. MCS failed to meet standards in its last renewal evaluation in 2018; the district renewed the charter anyway. The school has been the subject of several news articles, most recently about CEO Veronica Joyner’s decision to bar one of the school’s seniors from attending school in person and from attending graduation and prom after he was the victim of gun violence. Months before, Joyner arbitrarily expelled a student after a fight in which she was involved without the legally required due process. In 2019, the Education Law Center represented a family whose child was rejected by MCS because of her special needs. None of this has threatened Joyner’s consistently high salary and compensation.
Aspira, Inc. has had its share of notoriety over the years for its questionable financial practices including transferring taxpayer funds allotted to its two Renaissance schools for use at its other businesses. Aspira’s failure to meet standards at both of its Renaissance charters, Olney High School and Stetson Middle School, resulted in the Board of Education voting to restore those schools to district control. Yet Aspira’s board paid COO Thomas Darden $352,063 in salary alone in 2021.
The Philadelphia School Board, the local authorizer of the city’s charter schools, will not comment on the cost of charters. In fact, they won’t even post the projected costs of 5-year renewals. The board posts the costs of all official items at every action meeting–except the cost of charter renewals. Why? The board protects highly-paid charter administrators by refusing to hold renewal hearings, as other districts in the state do. Shouldn’t CEOs have to come before the public at least once every five years to explain their school’s performance–good or bad? As long as the board handles charter managers like business clients, they have no accountability to the public.
A note on the information and methodology in this report: All salary and compensation information comes from the most recent federal tax forms, in this case the individual 2021 IRS 990 for each school and for each charter management organization. That form can cover the calendar year 2021 or the tax year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022. The IRS 990 lists the salary (in some cases including bonus), retirement and non-taxable benefits for those on their payroll making $100,000 or more. (There may be other administrators whose compensation is less.) Annual salaries of all district employees are public and easily accessed at one website; that is not true of charter school employees. Only the salary and compensation for employees making over $100,000 must be listed on IRS tax forms. We listed only the position and omitted the names of the employees, with some exceptions made for those administrators making close to or exceeding that of the district superintendent; in 2021 that was William Hite, Jr., with a salary of $335,000. The total 2021 CEO salary/compensation we calculated–$10,309,853–includes those listed as CEO only; it does not include those serving as CEO/Principal or CEO/School Leader. That total does not include Chief Academic Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Operations Officers or principals.
Ad Prima
Two buildings in separate zip codes operating as one school: K-8 at 1922 N. 63rd Street, 19151, Overbrook; K-8 at 8034 Thouron Street, 19150, Cedarbrook
Enrollment: Current 605, authorized 700
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $218, 880.
Site Director $159, 524.
Principal $144, 358.
Alliance for Progress
Middle school, Grades 6-8
7122 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, 19121, North Philadelphia
Enrollment: current 567, authorized 571
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $141, 205.
Aspira Schools
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990 for Aspira PA officers:
CEO $236, 609.
COO Thomas Darden $405,510 (Salary $352,063 plus $53,477 in non-taxable benefits)
Controller $290, 469.
Senior Director of Special Services $153, 666.
Chief of Support Services $225, 666.
Director of DET and CCS [only initials given on IRS 2021] $169, 275
COO made more than district superintendent in salary alone.
Antonio Pantoja (Aspira Network)
4101 N. American Street, 19140, Hunting Park
Grades K-8
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 299, authorized 700
Administration/teacher salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $240, 604.
Elementary Teacher $175, 564.
Special Education Teacher $163, 035.
Eugenio Maria de Hostos (Aspira Network)
6301 N. 2nd Street, 19120, Olney
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 510, authorized 440
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $197, 327.
Belmont
3 locations: Grade K, 907 N. 41st Street, 19104, Powelton; Grades 1-8 4030 Brown Street, 19104; High School 1301 Belmont Avenue, 19104
Enrollment: current 948, authorized 1280
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $159, 353.
Boys’ Latin
2 locations: Grades 6-8, 344 N. Felton Street, 19139, Mill Creek; Grades 9-12, 5501 Cedar Avenue, 19143 Kingsessing
Enrollment: current 777, authorized 800
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $100, 375.
COO $125, 049.
Christopher Columbus
916 Christian Street, 19147, Bella Vista
Grades K-4
Enrollment: current 883, authorized 900
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $238, 452.
Community Academy of Philadelphia
1100 E. Erie Avenue, 19124, Juniata Park
Grades K-12
Enrollment: current 1235, authorized 1320
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $172, 456.
Deputy CEO $135, 498.
Chief Academic Officer $152, 867.
Deputy CAO $105, 108.
Chief Financial Officer $145, 101.
High School Principal $129, 061.
High School Asst. Principal $132, 466.
Elementary School Principal $131, 215.
School has a CEO, deputy CEO, CAO and deputy CAO.
Deep Roots
3556 Frankford Avenue, 19134, Port Richmond
Grades K-5
Enrollment: current 285, authorized 540
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $124, 309.
CEO/School Leader $148, 318.
Esperanza
3 locations: Grades 104, 3150 N. Mascher Street, 19140, Hunting Park; Grades 6-8, 4261 N. 5th Street, 19140; Grades 912, 301 W. Hunting Park Avenue, 19140
Enrollment: Current 1631, authorized 2235
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Ex Officio Rev. Luis Corts, Jr. $422, 100 ( all additional compensation)
CEO $271, 456.
Director of Student Success $162, 917.
Director of Student Development $152, 333.
MS Director of Instruction $181, 969.
HS Director of Instruction $108, 557.
ES Director of Instruction $160, 512.
School has a Director of Student Success and a Director of Student Development.
First Philadelphia Preparatory
4300 Tacony Street, 19134, Tacony
Grades K-12
Enrollment: current 1863, authorized 1880
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $201, 897. (Salary of $144,422 includes $2,370 bonus)
Folks Art Cultural Treasures (FACTS)
1023 Callowhill Street, 19123, Chinatown
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 487, authorized 847
Administration salary per 2021 IRS 990:
Executive Director $103, 865.
Franklin Towne Elementary
4529 Richmond Street, 19137, Bridesburg
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 959, authorized 955
Administration salary per 2021 IRS 990:
Chief Business Officer $150,000.
Franklin Towne High School
5301 Tacony Street, 19137, Tacony
Grades 9-12
Enrollment: current 1295, authorized 1300
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $271,188.
CAO $192,471.
Asst. Principal $123,595.
Freire
Two locations in 2 zip codes: Grades 5-8 at 1026 Market Street, 19107, Midtown; Grades 9-12 at 2027 Chestnut Street, 19103, Rittenhouse Square
Enrollment: current 947, authorized 1000
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Head of School $207, 073.
Ex-officio Head of School $228,670.
Global Leadership Academy
4601 Girard Avenue, 19131, West Philadelphia
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 641, authorized 675
Administrative salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO Naomi Booker Johnson $475, 507 (Salary $342,752.00, plus retirement and other benefits)
Principal $251,642 (Salary $166, 480, plus retirement and other benefits).
GLA CEO salary (before benefits) higher than District superintendent. Principal made more than the highest-paid district principals, $154,514.
GLA Huey Elementary (Renaissance charter)
5200 Pine Street, 19143, Cobbs Creek
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 581, authorized 600
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $320,125 ($211,954 salary, plus benefits)
Director of Curriculum and Instruction $174, 910.
Both GLA schools have their own CEO.
Green Woods
48 Domino Lane, 19128, Roxborough
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 665, authorized 675.
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO/Principal $269, 469.
Director of Operations $112, 581.
Harambee
640 N. 66th Street, 19151, Overbrook Park
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 594, authorized 525
Administration/teacher salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $162,100.
CFO $110,000.
Asst. Principal of Instruction $103,631.
Asst.Principal of Instruction $133, 787.
Asst. Principal of Operations $128,644.
Teacher $102, 544.
School with 594 students has a CEO, CFO, and 3 assistant principals.
Imhotep
6201 N. 21st Street, 19138, Ogontz
Grades 9-12
Enrollment: current 595, authorized 575
Administrative salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
School Leader $172,481.
School Leader $97,618. (left July 2021)
Asst. Principal $127,906.
Middle School Music Teacher $135,820.
Middle School Social Studies Teacher $121,991.
This high school has 2 middle school teachers on payroll.
Independence
1600 Lombard Street, 19106, Center City
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 784, authorized 825
Administrative salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $208, 630.
Principal $184, 836.
Independence West
5600 Chester Avenue, 19143, Kingsessing
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 838, authorized 900
Salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $168, 002.
Principal $140, 869.
Inquiry (Belmont Network)
1301 Belmont Avenue, 19104, Powelton
Grades K-5
Enrollment: current 268, authorized 303
Administrative salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Head of School $125, 122.
Jacquelyn Y. Kelley Discovery
4700 Parkside Avenue, 19131, Parkside
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 631, authorized 620
CEO $252, 529.
Principal $191, 564.
Director of Students $154, 204.
School with 631 students has a CEO, principal, and director of students.
Keystone Academy
4521 Longshore Academy, 19135, Tacony
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 686, authorized 891
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $319, 125.
Principal $167, 578.
CEO salary and compensation over $300,000.
KIPP Network
CEO $284,044.
COO $224,179. (Salary of $191,289 includes $2,000 bonus)
CAO $221,576. (Salary of $189,662 includes $2,000 bonus)
Director of Talent $163,225. (Salary of $140,272 includes $2,000 bonus)
Director of Finance $156,774. (Salary of $141,570. includes $1500. bonus)
Director of KIPP through College $142,781.
Director of Student Support $137,006.
KIPP DuBois
5070 Parkside Avenue, 19131, Parkside
Grades 9-12
Enrollment: current 501, authorized 520
Administration/teacher salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
School Leader $170, 954.
Asst. Principal $123, 372.
Asst. Principal $122, 177.
Director of Operations $105,853.
Special Education Teacher $118, 813.
School with 500 students has 4 administrators.
KIPP North Philadelphia
2539 N. 16th Street, 19132, North Philadelphia
Grades K-4
Enrollment: current 599, authorized 860
Administrative/teacher salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
School Leader $189, 836.
Asst. Principal $147, 983.
Asst. Principal $127, 086.
Asst. Principal $126, 509.
School with 600 students has 3 assistant principals.
KIPP Philadelphia
2409 W. Westmoreland Street, 19129, Allegheny
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 827, authorized 860
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO/School Leader $220, 366.
School Leader $151, 166.
Director of Operations $131, 236. .
School with 827 students has two school leaders and a director of operations.
KIPP West Philadelphia
5070 Parkside Avenue, 19131, Parkside
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 797, authorized 860
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
School Leader $97,618.
School Leader $172,441. ($148,185 salary includes $1500. bonus)
Asst. Principal $127,806.
School with 797 students has two school leaders.
Laboratory
2 locations: Grades K-5, 926 Sedgley Street, 19140, Hunting Park; Grades 6-8, 3300 Henry Avenue, 19129, East Falls
Enrollment: current 686, authorized 1075
CEO $293,125
Principal $190,518.
Lindley Academy at Birney (American Paradigm Renaissance charter)
900 W. Lindley Avenue, 19141, Logan
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 947, authorized 1000
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO/Principal $197,354. (Salary of $143,786 includes $2,548 bonus)
Asst. Principal $187,132. (Salary of $126,730 includes $2,628 bonus)
Asst. Principal $182, 628. (Salary of $126,804 includes $2,702 bonus)
Mariana Bracetti
1840 Torresdale Avenue, 19124, East Frankford
Grades K-12
Enrollment: current 1559, authorized 1500
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $311, 323.
Principal $244, 603.
Asst. Principal $201,443.
Asst. Principal $192,900.
Asst. Principal $156,767.
Asst. Principal $160,926.
Maritime Academy
2 locations: Grades K-8, 2275 Bridge Street, 19137, Bridesburg; Grades 9-12, 2700 E. Huntingdon Street, 19125, Port Richmond
Enrollment: current 837, authorized 820
CEO $234, 786.
MaST Schools
CEO John Swoyer $469, 083 (Salary $327, 760; remainder is benefits)
Head of Curriculum $206, 187 (Salary $132,579, remainder in benefits)
Head of School Operations $190, 572 (Salary $190,572, plus benefits)
Chief Schools Officer $198, 572 (Salary $145,753, plus benefits)
Head of Talent $198, 731 (Salary $126,329, plus benefits)
CEO of 3-school network was paid a salary slightly less than the District superintendent’s.
MaST I
1800 Byberry Road, 19116, Somerton
Grades K-12
Enrollment: current 1477, authorized 1400
Salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $198, 448.
MaST II
2 locations: grades K-2, 6238 Rising Sun Avenue, 19111, Lawncrest; Grades 3-12, 6501 State Road, 19135, Tacony
Enrollment: current 1780, authorized 1800
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Building Leader/Principal $116, 696.
Lower School Building Leader $117, 636.
Building Leader $91, 549.
MaSt III
1 Crown Way, 19154, Northeast Philadelphia
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 1220, authorized 1200
Principal $125, 736.
Mastery Charters
14 schools in network
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO Scott Gordon $340, 662. (Salary of $251,220 includes $232,221 basic compensation plus $18,999 bonus)
Executive School Officer $293,136. (Salary of $203,914 includes $7,900 bonus)
Chief Information Officer $282,132. (Salary of $203,914 includes $1,863 bonus)
CAO $216,681. (Salary of $186,235 includes $14,000 bonus)
COO $287,523. (Salary of $200,850 includes $8,990 bonus)
CFO $277,499. (Salary of $203,008 includes $7,900 bonus)
Deputy CFO $184,369. (Salary of $155,493 includes $7,700 bonus)
Chief Equity Officer $191, 363.
Chief Talent Officer $202, 602.
Regional Schools Officer $179, 408.
Regional Schools Officer $240, 071.
Regional Schools Officer $276, 327. (Salary of $189,467 includes $5,000 bonus)
Regional Schools Officer $259, 233. (Salary of $185,772 includes $9,000 bonus)
Cleveland (Mastery Renaissance Charter)
3701 N. 19th Street, 19140, Tioga
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 705, authorized 745
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Former Principal $232,757 (Salary of $176,581 includes $10,382 bonus)
Principal $153, 823. (Salary of $141,776 includes $15,050 bonus)
Asst. Principal of Operations $145, 017.
Asst. Principal of Instruction $138, 777.
Clymer (Mastery Renaissance charter)
1201 Rush Street, 19133, North Philadelphia
Grades K-6
Enrollment: current 451, authorized 609
Principal $207,662. (Salary of $148,814 includes $10,000 bonus)
Asst. Principal of Operations $158,119 (Salary of $106,173 includes $5,000 bonus)
Asst.Principal of Special Services $149,337
Frederick Douglass (Mastery Renaissance Charter)
2118 W. Norris Street, 19121, North Philadelphia
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 584, authorized 775
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $159, 654. (Salary of $140,471 includes $9,750 bonus)
Principal $144, 742.
Asst. Principal of Instruction $109, 786.
Harrity (Mastery Renaissance Charter)
5601 Christian Street, 19143, Cobbs Creek
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 812, authorized 850
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal (no term designated) $194, 901. (Salary of $141,998 includes $6,500 bonus)
Principal (until January 2022) $169, 844. (Salary of $156,943 includes $18,140 bonus)
Principal (as of March 2022) $138, 583.
Asst. Principal of Operations $158, 558. (Salary of $114,362 includes $4,000 bonus)
Asst. Principal of Instruction $155, 387. (Salary of $111,689 includes $4,000 bonus)
Asst. Principal of Instruction $110, 788.
School with 850 students had more than one principal, plus 3 assistant principals.
Lenfest/Mastery Charter High School
35 S. 4th Street, 10106, Center City
Grades 7-12
Enrollment: current 608, authorized 600
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $207, 496. (Salary of $152,515 includes $14,500 bonus)
Mann (Mastery Renaissance charter)
5376 Berks Street, 19131, Wynnefield
Grades K-6
Enrollment: current 534, authorized 555
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $236, 201. (Salary of $164,462 includes $20,450 bonus)
Asst. Principal Specialized Services $177, 841. (Salary of $120,531 includes $9,720 bonus)
Asst. Principal of School Culture $148, 823.
Asst. Principal of Operations (to October 2021) $156,072 (Salary of $108,806 includes $12,220 bonus)
Asst. Principal of Instruction $115, 618.
Asst. Principal of Instruction $127, 486.
School with 530 students had 5 assistant principals.
Mastery Prep Elementary
1801 W. Pike Street, 19140, Tioga
Grades K-5
Enrollment: current 504, authorized 588
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
School Leader (Principal since 2021 per 990) $142, 490.
School Leader (Principal to 2021) $151, 738 (Salary of $141,012 includes $15,900 bonus)
Asst. Principal of Instruction $120, 444.
Pastorius (Mastery Renaissance charter)
5650 Sprague Street, 19144, East Germantown
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 658, authorized 650
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $173, 619.
Asst. Principal $149, 532.
Asst. Principal $159, 800.
Asst. Principal of Instruction $149, 201.
School with 658 students had 3 assistant principals.
Pickett (Mastery charter school)
5700 Wayne Avenue, 19144, Germantown
Grades 6-12
Enrollment: current 930, authorized 890
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $233, 953. (Salary of 167,411 includes $21,000 bonus)
Asst. Principal of Instruction $162, 709. (Salary of $122,614 includes $11,000 bonus)
Asst. Principal of Instruction $146, 943.
Simon Gratz (Mastery Renaissance charter)
1798 Hunting Park Avenue, Tioga
Grades 7-12
Enrollment: current 1162, authorized 1766
Administration Salary/Compensation per 2021 IRS 990
Principal $153,859 (Salary of $148,749 includes $12,700 bonus)
Principal (to June 2022) $180,872
Asst. Principal/Dir. Of Operations $212,427 (Salary of $148,749 includes $12,700 bonus)
Asst. Principal of School Culture $191,365 (Salary of $136,672 includes $4,500 bonus)
Lead Asst. Principal of Spec Services 183,744 (Salary of $121,772 includes $6,000 bonus)
Asst. Principal of School Culture $168,849 (Salary of $118,048 includes $10,000 bonus)
Transition Coordinator $161,640 (Salary of $115,582 includes $1,000 bonus)
Shoemaker (Mastery charter)
5301 Media Avenue, 19131, Wynnefield
Grades 7-12
Enrollment: current 776, authorized 760
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal (to Jan 2002) $166,279 (Salary of $153,169 includes $!3,000 bonus)
Asst. Principal/Director of Operations (to April 2022) $176,967 (Salary of $116,850 includes $11,000 bonus)
Asst. Principal of Special Services (to Dec. 2021) $154,576 (Salary of $104,734 includes $6,000 bonus)
Principal/Asst. Principal ( to Apr 2022) $106,026
Smedley (Mastery Renaissance charter)
1790 Bridge Street, 19124, Frankford
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 768, authorized 755
Administration/teacher salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $230,430. (Salary of $213,244 includes $18,750 bonus)
Asst. Principal of Instruction $185, 623. (Salary of $127,191 includes $12,000 bonus)
Asst Principal of Instruction $168, 619. (Salary of $122,659 includes $9,000 bonus)
Asst. Principal of Instruction $169, 975. (Salary of $116,814 includes $8,000 bonus
Asst. Principal of Instruction $169, 975. (Salary of $116,814 includes $8,000 bonus
Asst. Principal Special Services $140, 270.
School with 768 students had 4 assistant principals.
Thomas (Mastery charter)
2 locations: Grades K-6, 814 Bigler Street, 19148; Grades 7-12 927 Johnston Street, 19148, South Philadelphia
Enrollment: current 1264, authorized 1300
Administration/teacher salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $260, 696. (Salary of $187,718 includes $35,548 bonus)
Principal $143, 648.
Asst. Principal of School Culture $187, 349. (Salary of $126,335 includes $12,000 bonus)
Asst. Principal of Instruction $164, 025. (Salary of $106,331 includes $4,000 bonus)
Asst. Principal Instruction $130, 057.
Asst. Principal Special Services $151, 348. (Salary of $108,679 includes $6,000 bonus)
School has 2 principals and 4 assistant principals.
Wister (Mastery Renaissance charter)
67 E. Bringhurst Street, 19144, Germantown
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 515, authorized 516
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $152,764. (Salary of $130,506 includes $5,000 bonus)
Mathematics, Science, Civics
447 N. Broad Street, 19123, Spring Garden
Grades 1-12
Enrollment: current 908, authorized 1160
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $334,492. (Salary $228,999, plus benefits)
School failed to meet the Academic, Organization, and Financial standards in their 2022-23 renewal evaluation. MCS was also renewed in 2018 despite rating “Does Not Meet” in all categories.
Memphis Street/J P Jones (American Paradigm Renaissance charter)
2950 Memphis Street, 19134, Kensington
Grades K-5
Enrollment: current 563, authorized 880
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $160, 282.
Principal $134, 083.
Multicultural Academy
3821 N. Broad Street, 19140, Tioga
Grades 9-12
Enrollment: current 255, authorized 275
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $194 401. (Salary of $166,348 includes $11,476 bonus).
Principal $120,618.
Pan American
2830 N. American Street, 19133, Fairhill
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 749, authorized 750
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $250,314.
Director of Analytics and Accountability $157,738.
Director of Strategic Initiatives $171,503.
Director of Student Services $186, 541.
Principal $203, 519.
Special Education Coordinator $180, 402.
Asst. Principal $163, 968.
Asst. Principal $164, 753.
School with 750 students had 8 administrators.
People for People
800 N. Broad Street, 19130, Francisville
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 538, authorized 540.
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990: None listed. IRS 990 indicates that the school paid Texas-based Holared Services $125, 000 for CEO services.
Philadelphia Academy
2 locations: K-8, 11000 Roosevelt Boulevard, 19116, 9-12, 1700 Tomlinson Road,19116, Somerton
Enrollment: current 1100, authorized 1124
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $177,191.
High School Principal $123,712.
Elementary School Principal $129, 918
Special Education Coordinator $105,272.
Asst. Principal $102,473.
Asst. Principal $105, 935.
Asst. Principal $108,757.
Special Education $96, 621.
Philadelphia Electric and Technology
1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 19103, Center City
Grades 9-12
Enrollment: current 617, authorized 600
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $163, 732.
COO $133, 934
Head of Student Services $108, 402
Head of Academics $108, 434
Head of Accountability $108, 415.
Philadelphia Hebrew
3300 Henry Avenue, 19129, East Falls
Grades K-4
Enrollment: current 419, authorized 468
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Executive Director $106, 955.
Head of School $137, 733.
Director of Operations $124, 633.
Philadelphia Montessori
2227 Island Avenue, 19142, Southwest Philadelphia
Grades K-4
Enrollment: current 239, authorized 250
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO (until 1/14/2022) $94, 560.
Richard Allen
2601 S. 58th Street, 19143, West Philadelphia
Grades 5-8
Enrollment: current 399, authorized 500
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $179, 445. (Salary of $157,300 includes $2,500 bonus)
Asst. Principal $162, 834. (Salary of $142,833 includes $1,750 bonus
Asst. Principal $132, 751.
Russell Byers
1911 Arch Street, 19103, Center City
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 715, authorized 725
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $224,191.
Director of Special Education $122,765.
Director of Technology $135,712.
Sankofa Freedom Academy
2501 Kensington Avenue, 19125, Kensington
Grades K-12
Enrollment: current 663, authorized 650
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $207, 922.
COO $194, 238.
Principal $145,170.
Upper School Principal $160, 820.
Southwest Leadership Academy
2 locations: K-2, 6901 Woodland Avenue, 19142; Grades 3-8 7101 Paschall Avenue, 19142, Southwest Philadelphia
Enrollment: current 621, authorized 1032
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CFO $173, 175
CAO/Principal $168, 127.
School is 40% below authorized enrollment. District Board has initiated non-renewal proceedings after school rated “Does Not Meet” in all categories.
String Theory Schools
Salary/compensation for charter management organization administrators per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO Angela Corosanite $411, 864 (Salary $353,083 plus $57,781 benefits)
Chief Information Officer Jason Corosanite $322, 949.
Director of Facilities Thomas Corosanite $164, 248.
Psychologist $189, 522.
Director of Special Education $174, 307.
Director of Innovation $161, 331.
Director of Technology $157, 176.
School had at least 3 members of the Corosanite family on payroll making a total of $899,061.00 in salary and compensation. Both of the schools in the network have their own CEO in addition to the String Theory Management Organization CEO, whose salary was more than the District superintendent’s.
Philadelphia Performing Arts (String Theory charter)
Three locations in 3 zip codes: Grades K-1, 2407 S. Broad Street, 19148, South Philadelphia; Grades 2-5, 2600 S. Broad Street, 19145, South Philadelphia; Grades 6-12, 1600 Vine Street, 19102, Center City
Enrollment: current 2753, authorized 2525
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO/Principal $193,918.
Principal $179, 969.
Asst. Principal $143,607.
Special Education Director $167,591.
Department Chair for School Design $129,198.
H R Edmunds (String Theory Renaissance charter)
1197 Haworth Street, 19124, Northwood
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 996, authorized 1015
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $226,585.
Principal $169,277.
Tacony Academy
2 locations in 2 zip codes: Grades K-8, 1330 Rhawn Street, 19111, Fox Chase; Grades 9-12, 6201 Keystone, 19135, Wissinoming
Enrollment: current 1093, authorized 1075
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO $207, 940. (Salary of $153,312 includes $2,022 bonus)
Principal $138, 072.
Asst. Principal $161, 381. (Salary of $114,476 includes $$1,974 bonus)
Tech Freire
2221 N. Broad Street, 19132, North Philadelphia
Grades 9-12
Enrollment: current 464, authorized 580
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO/Head of School $160, 580.
Universal Charters
Salary/compensation: CEO $230, 900.
In their IRS 990s, Universal lists several “Employees” without identifying their positions in the school or in the Universal organization.
Alcorn (Universal Renaissance charter)
3200 Dickinson Street, 19146, Point Breeze
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 464, authorized 620
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
School Leader $166, 628.
Employee $152, 893.
Audenried (Universal Renaissance charter)
3301 Dickinson Street, 19146, Grays Ferry
Grades 9-12
Enrollment: current 547, authorized 705
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $142, 396.
Employee $119, 380.
Bluford (former Universal Renaissance charter)
5720 Media Street, 19131, Wynnewood
Grades K-6
Enrollment: current 477, authorized 571
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $183, 282.
Employee $123, 441.
Employee $111, 786.
Creighton (Universal Renaissance charter)
5401 Tabor Road, 19120, Lawncrest
Grades K-8
Enrollment: current 718, authorized 835
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $168,812.
Employee $129, 237.
Employee $104, 793.
Daroff (former Universal Renaissance charter, now closed)
5630 Vine Street, 19139, Overbrook
Salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $135, 851.
Universal Institute
2 locations: K-4, 801 S. 15th Street, 19146; Grades 5-8, 1415 Catherine Street, 19146, South Philadelphia
Enrollment: current 631, authorized 705
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $176, 420.
Food Services Director $196, 464.
Employee $113, 065.
Employee $113, 065.
Employee $140, 652.
Vare (Universal Renaissance charter)
2100 S. 24th Street, 19145, South Philadelphia
Grades 5-8
Enrollment: current 173, authorized 425
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Principal $161, 070.
Wissahickon
2 locations in 2 zip codes: K-8 at 4700 Wissahickon Avenue, 19144, Southwest Germantown; 815 E. Washington Lane, 19138, East Germantown
Enrollment: authorized 949, current 972
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
CEO: $259,531.
Director of Learning Support $198,411.
Director of Learning Support $140,643.
Director of Middle School: $281,709.
Director of Lower School $186,512.
Director of School Operation $140,202.
School has a CEO, two directors of learning support, and a director of school operation.
Young Scholars
900 N. Marshall Street, 19123, Northern Liberties
Grades 6-8
Enrollment: current 266, authorized 300
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Executive Director $193,196
Youth Build
1231 N. Broad Street, 19122, Yorktown
Grade 12
Enrollment: current 218, authorized 400
Administration salary/compensation per 2021 IRS 990:
Executive Director $164,858.
CFO/COO $143,398.
Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools 