Phila. magnet one of ‘most amazing’ schools in US

Science Leadership Academy, a Philadelphia School District magnet high school, has been named one of 10 "most amazing" schools in the U.S. by a national publication.

SLA, as it's known, was chosen by a panel of education experts and the staff of the Ladies' Home Journal. An article announcing the top 10 schools appears in the magazine's September edition, which hits newsstands Tuesday.

SLA is Philadelphia's only pick on the list, which includes schools in Boston, Houston, Miami, Denver, Washington, D.C., Cininnati, Fremont, Cal. and Henderson, Minn.

The article highlights educational innovation. SLA is hailed as a place where "every student receives their own laptop, and the school eschews textbooks in favor of students creating their own resources with course management software and a 'learning by doing' method."

It's not the first national nod for SLA and its principal, Chris Lehmann. SLA was named an Apple Distinguished School in 2009; Lehmann has been named one of the "30 Most Influential People in EdTech" by Technology & Learning Magazine, among other honors.

The school, which operates in partnership with the Franklin Institute, opened in 2006 at 21st and Arch and has about 500 students. Its first class graduated in June.

Reached Monday, Lehmann was pleased that his staff and students earned the pat on the back.

"It's an honor to be mentioned in the same category as such wonderful schools," Lehmann said. "We're thrilled and excited for the work of another school year."