About Us

47 Years of Dedication

to the families of Philadelphia.

First Charter School in Philadelphia

Founded in 1980 by visionary educator Joseph Proietta, the Community Academy of Philadelphia (CAP) now stands in its 47th year as a catalyst for educational innovation and urban transformation. For more than three decades, our 118,000+ square-foot campus on a 6.5-acre site at 1100 East Erie Avenue has served as a dynamic hub for inquiry, discovery, and future-ready learning. In 1997, through the collaborative leadership of our Board, civic partners, and Mr. Proietta, CAP became the first charter school in the City of Philadelphia and the second in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania establishing a precedent for academic excellence, institutional autonomy, and community-centered reform.

Student Life and Rigorous Academic Standards

Since our expansion to the Juniata Park campus in 2002, CAP has grown into a comprehensive K–12 learning community serving more than 1,220 students. Our educational model is grounded in rigorous academic standards and enriched by experiential, project-based instruction that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as essential drivers of college, career, and civic readiness. Students engage in hands-on learning opportunities that connect theoretical knowledge to real-world application, cultivating critical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving skills that extend well beyond graduation.

Support for Diverse Learners

CAP is fully accredited from nursery through grade twelve by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS) and has maintained continuous accreditation since 1995. Our faculty of more than 140 educators sustains an individualized 12:1 student-teacher ratio, with 86% holding master’s degrees or higher and 62% possessing multiple professional certifications—ensuring instruction that is both pedagogically advanced and deeply responsive to diverse learners.

The High School Division offers a robust portfolio of honors coursework, culinary arts, and ten Advanced Placement courses, including Computer Science Principles, Statistics, Environmental Science, and Human Geography, reinforcing our commitment to interdisciplinary STEM integration and academic rigor across the humanities and sciences alike.

Student-Centered Approach

Beyond the classroom, CAP fosters holistic development through competitive athletics in the PENN-JERSEY League and a vibrant array of arts and enrichment programs in music, visual arts, and dance. Comprehensive student support services including licensed mental health professionals, health services, early childhood education, special education, multilingual learning specialists, and targeted literacy and mathematics intervention—ensure that every learner is equipped to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Safe and Supported Environment

A culture of safety, wellness, and respect underpins all aspects of campus life. CAP maintains a dedicated security team trained in certified programs, A.L.I.C.E. protocols, and Pennsylvania Criminal Justice standards, supported by advanced access control systems and campus-wide CCTV coverage. Together, these measures create a secure, healthful learning environment where students are empowered to explore, innovate, and achieve at the highest levels.

Proud to be Title I

As a Title 1 school, we receive federal money provided under ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) to supplement the school’s existing programs. We use the funding to ensure that all children meet the challenging state academic standards. We allocate the funds towards instructional resources, professional development, and to strengthen the development of parent and family engagement.