PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
At a Glance
Principal
Dr. Janis Butler
Assistant Principal
Walter Myrick | E-mail
Ms. Sarah Reinbold | E-mail
Phone: 215-400-3700
Fax: 215-400-3701
Student Enrollment: 800
Address:
1400 W. Olney Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19141
SEPTA Routes:
C, 18, 6, 18, 22, 26,47, 55, 80, Broad Street Line
The Philadelphia High School for Girls has over one hundred and seventy years history as a public college preparatory school whose heritage is founded in tradition, for academically talented young women drawn from the diversity of our city. Our mission is to graduate students who will treat others compassionately and lead lives of personal integrity at the university level, ultimately preparing them to be future leaders. This is accomplished in a safe, nurturing environment that challenges the intellect, provides enriching extracurricular programs, embraces diversity and encourages ethical behavior. We maintain a rich and rigorous academic program, which includes Honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment and Senior Year Only Program (SYOP), as well as outstanding humanities courses.
The Philadelphia High School for Girls was founded in 1848 to “prepare teachers for the common schools of Philadelphia.” It was the first municipally supported secondary school for girls in the United States and was called the Girls’ Normal School. In 1893, the Philadelphia High School for Girls separated from the Girls’ Normal School, and the basis for today’s college preparatory curriculum was laid. It continues to exist as a school for the academically talented, providing young students with outstanding opportunities for scholarship, leadership, and service. Its’ motto, “Vincit qui se vincit” (He conquers who conquers himself), is embodied in the Code of Honor and Courtesy written by students early in this century.
“Vincit qui se vincit” (He conquers who conquers himself), attributed to Publilius Syrus, a first century B.C. writer of mimes whose pithy sayings were frequently used as mottoes in Roman schools. Our school adopted this particular maxim because of the realization that self-mastery is one of the most important goals we should strive to attain.
We, the students of the Philadelphia High School for Girls, recognizing that all progress comes through the definite pursuit of an ideal, and desiring to perpetuate the traditions of honor, self-control and service to others, so earnestly fostered by our school, do here set down an expression of the ideal of our school society hoping that such it may remain through all the years to come, and calling on each successive generation of students who follow us, solemnly and individually to subscribe to it, in token of their joining that honorable society and devoting themselves to its ideal.
We believe that our most sacred possession is our honor; and we would guard it so jealously that no human being, through us, should suffer the slightest wrong, and that, for no reward whatever, would we accept an advantage that is not fairly ours. Especially we would be faithful to every trust that our own hearts, or the confidence of others reposes in us. We would be kind: helping our fellows with gracious acts and ready sympathy, and in love for them seeking their good above our own. We would be brave: strong to accept defeat, rebuke, misfortune, and to turn them into gain always attempting, at least, the harder task and letting not one golden opportunity pass unchallenged. We would be wise: simple goodness, and devotion to duty, and every grace of the spirit we would set above any intellectual gain, however brilliant, and every mental attainment above all material things whatever; and we would give to what is noble and true our highest reverence. We here declare our purpose to dedicate our lives to this ideal forever.