MaST charts the way to success

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Richard Trzaska has only one problem with charter schools.
"There’s not enough of them," he said.
Trzaska is CEO of Math, Science, Technology Community Charter School. Everyone knows it as MaST. It’s located at 1800 Byberry Road in Somerton.
Charter schools became law in Pennsylvania in 1997. They are public schools that are independent of government mandates and regulations.
Today, there are more than 50,000 students in 114 charter schools in Pennsylvania. There are 55 charter schools in Philadelphia.
Besides MaST, there are five charter schools in the Northeast:
• Philadelphia Academy Charter School, at 11000 Roosevelt Blvd. Its campus features a high school and elementary school.
• New Foundations Charter School, an elementary school at 8001 Torresdale Ave.
• Northwood Academy, at 4621 Castor Ave. It educates kids in kindergarten through sixth grade.
• Franklin Towne Charter High School, at 5301 Tacony St.
• First Philadelphia Charter School for Literacy, a kindergarten to fifth grade school at 4300 Tacony St.
Each local school is proud of itself in different ways.
At MaST, officials are celebrating terrific scores on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) test, which was given in March.
Newly released results show the school outperforming all other charter high schools in southeastern Pennsylvania and finishing in the top four among elementary schools.
The test was given to students in third, fifth, eighth and 11th grades. MaST students scored better — in some cases, much better — than more than half of Pennsylvania students in reading and math in all grades.
In addition, the school met its Annual Yearly Progress for the second year in a row. AYP is based on PSSA scores and is a component of the federal No Child Left Behind initiative.
"We’re proud of our test scores," Trzaska said. "But when you look at good schools, there are a lot of factors."
Trzaska cited safety, small class size, attendance and staff. In all of those areas, according to the CEO, MaST is excelling.
The school opened in the fall of 1999 with 500 students in sixth through 12th grade inside the Academy Shopping Plaza at 3216 Red Lion Road. It was founded by administrators and parents associated with the former School District of Philadelphia’s Lincoln Cluster.
The shopping plaza site — which formerly housed Community College of Philadelphia’s Northeast branch — was a great location for students and staff who wanted to lunch at one of the mall’s eateries. It was not a great location for a growing school, however.
Trzaska, a Frankford native who lives in the Far Northeast, is a product of public schools. He attended Smedley Elementary School, Harding Junior High and Frankford High School. His five kids attended Catholic schools.
For 21 years, he taught in Philadelphia public schools. He spent five years as principal at Upper Merion Middle School.
Soon after charter schools opened, he could sense they would be a success.
"Charter schools are a great option for parents," he said.
In April 2000 — tired of making the long drive in traffic to Upper Merion, looking for a new challenge and realizing he was a "Philadelphia guy" — Trzaska accepted a position as chief officer of school operations at MaST. He became CEO that September.
In 2000, MaST opened a kindergarten and elementary school, but space limitations forced it to open four satellite campuses.
The operation was consolidated in March 2002 when MaST moved into a former steel-metal company warehouse.
Today, there are about 1,100 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The enrollment includes about 50 students from Bucks and Montgomery counties.
About 1,000 students are on a waiting list, with most of the applications coming when a child is about to enter sixth grade, a sign many parents don’t want to send their children to a public middle school.
To give the present students and staff more room and in anticipation of increased enrollment, MaST is building a three-story, 30,000-square-foot structure that will be connected to the existing building by a second-floor bridge. It is slated to be ready by August.
Somewhat leery at first of putting kindergarten through 12th-grade students in the same building, Trzaska said the concept has proved to be a success. The older students tutor the younger ones and engage in various "buddy" programs with them.
"It’s been such a great experience," he said.
MaST has a $7 million annual budget. It offers advanced-placement classes, a science and technology fair, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, cheerleading, a drama club, talent show, orchestra, pep band, choir, closed-circuit newscast, online newspaper and robotics and astronomy clubs.
The Parent Advisory Council is busy with programs throughout the year.
The staff, according to Trzaska, has a passion for education and children.
"We have really tried to make it a well-rounded program," he said. "We feel real pleased about the progress we’ve made in a short period of time."
Trzaska describes the faculty as "teachers, and then some." It’s people like Tom Ullom, a graphics design teacher who is directing his students in creating the "high school of the future." And physics and chemistry teacher Scott MacAinsh, who brings 25 years of work in the nuclear power business into the classroom. And Marie Walker, who keeps her computer lab open during her lunch hour.
"I have a wonderful staff," Trzaska said.
Students study English, social studies, foreign language, art, music and health and physical education.
Of course, there’s a keen focus on math, science and technology, which continues the mission of the school founders. Karen DelGuercio was one of the school’s founders and continues to serve as president of the board of directors.
"I think their vision was good," Trzaska said. "That’s where our country needs strength."
John Swoyer, the school’s network administrator, estimates that the school has 500 computers. He and other staff members have already implemented ambitious computer-based programs and have plans for others.
"We want to make the technology at this school a step ahead of other schools," he said.
Students and parents give the school high grades.
"Everyone here is friendly," said sixth-grader Joe Stone. "I get a real good education here. It’s good for my future."
Added classmate Courtney Myer: "I’m glad I can stay here till twelfth grade."
Third-grader Jennifer Summers likes MaST because it provides "a good education and the teachers are nice."
Parents have access to their children’s homework assignments and grades online.
Kelly Shanks has two children at MaST. Shawn is a high school junior, while Kelsi is in fourth grade. Mom believes her kids are getting a good education.
"I like the administration and all the teachers," she said. "They’re young, fresh out of school and know all the techniques." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com