High School

Here at CAP, we celebrate September as Hispanic Heritage Month

Important Dates

September 2nd - Activities Fair - Immediately after school in the CAP gym

September 4th and 7th: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day Holiday

September 9th: Back to School and Financial Aid Nights - 5pm-7pm

September 11th: Senior Orientation - 6th and 7th periods

September 25th: Freshman Meet and Greet - 5pm-8pm

Dear CAP Families

Welcome to a new school year! September is always an exciting time as our students reconnect with friends, meet their teachers, and settle into new routines. Our faculty and staff have worked hard to prepare engaging learning experiences and a safe, supportive environment in which every student can learn and grow. We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our students throughout the year.

As we begin, I ask families to help reinforce the habits that lead to success. Students should arrive on time each morning. Our school day starts at 7:35am, so please plan accordingly. Students should wear the required and complete school uniform, attend every day, and come ready to learn. Regular attendance, being on time, and consistent effort make a tremendous difference in academic achievement. Please also encourage your child to seek help whenever needed and to take advantage of the many resources available through our teachers, counselors, and support staff.

A successful school year depends on a strong partnership among students, families, and the school. We encourage parents and guardians to remain involved by reviewing grades on PowerSchool, communicating with teachers, and participating in school events such as Back to School Night on September 9th. Thank you for entrusting us with your children and for supporting our mission. Together, we can make this school year one filled with learning, growth, and success for every CAP student.

Best wishes,

Mr. Richichi

High School Principal

Hello CAP students and families! As we move into a new school year, our goal is to create a safe, respectful, and positive environment where every student can succeed. Please be reminded that all students are expected to use clear book bags, come to school in full uniform (blazers are not permitted to be kept overnight in lockers) and follow our cell phone policy, which includes shutting them off upon entering the building and storing them in their lockers. Finally we must remember to treat others respectfully, and make responsible choices throughout the school day.

The Student Climate Center is here to support students while maintaining clear and consistent expectations. We encourage families to speak with their children about accountability, good decision-making, and the importance of asking for help when needed. By working together, we can make this a successful and enjoyable school year for everyone.

Philadelphia-Area Support Resources

If your child or family needs additional support, the following local resources are available:

• Philadelphia Crisis Text Line
  Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 confidential support.

• Mobile Crisis Units (Philadelphia DBHIDS)
  In-person crisis support available throughout Philadelphia for youth and adults.

• CHOP Behavioral Health
  Counseling and mental health services for children and adolescents.

• Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services
  Information on local mental health services, counseling, and family supports.

• Emergency Support

Please remember that support is always available, and reaching out is a sign of strength. CAP remains committed to student safety, well-being, and partnership with families throughout the year.

As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, we would like to remind families that student laptops and chargers are school-issued equipment and should be handled with care.

Beginning this school year, the following replacement fees will apply if equipment is lost or damaged:

Lost or damaged laptop — first occurrence: $100
Lost or damaged laptop — second occurrence or more: $300
Lost charger: $25

If your student is experiencing an issue with their laptop or charger, please contact their homeroom teacher as soon as possible so the issue can be addressed.

The CAP High School has already been quite busy already and we are really starting to ramp things up in September. Classes are already in full swing. The Seniors came in early for their portraits. We hosted the Class of 2030 for their orientation on August 24th and our athletes have been hard at work with team tryouts for the fall sports teams. Our annual Activities Fair will be taking place on September 2nd after school and we look forward to welcoming all of you to Back to School Night on September 9th and the Freshman Meet and Greet on Friday, September 25th.

Congratulations to Nathan Arroyo on attending the Harvard Young Global Leaders Institute!

We only have a few of these limited edition shirts available, so once they're sold out, they're gone.

Students are permitted to wear these as part of their gym uniform and can be picked up at the school store.

Here is the direct link to the site: CAP 250 Shirts.

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT IS COMING!

CAP Families, we can’t wait to welcome you back! Join us for an evening of connection, learning, and community as we kick off another amazing school year together.

- Meet your child’s teachers & school staff
- Learn about classroom expectations, programs & important updates
- Discover ways to get involved and partner with CAP

Wednesday, September 9, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Doors open at 4:45PM)
CAP Gymnasium- 1100 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124

Let’s start the school year STRONG together!

SENIOR PARENTS: DON’T MISS FINANCIAL AID NIGHT!

Is your student planning to attend college or trade school? Join us during Back-to-School Night for an important workshop designed to help families navigate the financial aid process.

We’ll cover the essentials, including:
Loans
Grants
Scholarships

Wednesday, September 9
5:00 PM & 6:00 PM
CAP Media Center

Come prepared, ask questions, and leave with the tools you need to help your seniors take the next step toward their future!

Parents of Seniors—we hope to see you there!
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbCcJ-igCDiK2aluBBWBJi_U_5FNRmPXu6rQbcj-x1TD3Idg/viewform

CAP’S FIRST-EVER COMMUNITY FAIR IS COMING!
Join us on Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 11 AM–2 PM for a day filled with fun, connection, and community!

Shop local vendors & discover unique finds
Enjoy raffles, games & music
Connect with local organizations & community partners
Support CAP students, programs & our 50th Anniversary Campaign

Community Academy of Philadelphia
1100 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124

Bring your family, friends, neighbors & community and help us make our very first Community Fair one to remember!

One community. One CAP. Brighter futures.

CALLING ALL VENDORS!

Our CAP Community Fair/Flea Market is coming up, and we want YOU to be part of it!

Sunday, October 4, 2026

11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Vendor Spaces: $20

Do you have a small business, handmade products, services, side business, or licensed food business? This is your chance to showcase what you do and connect with the CAP community!

All registration proceeds support CAP’s 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign – Strong Roots, Bright Futures.

Ready to participate? Pre-register here:
https://forms.gle/VojYkezXPqJUqex79

Spots are limited! Share this post with friends, family, and local businesses who may be interested.

Let’s make this an amazing community event!

The first week of fall sports is now behind us, and we are excited to get ready for the upcoming season!

During our first week, volleyball, boys soccer, and flag football had more than 53 student-athletes participating. We are thrilled to see such great participation and enthusiasm from our students.

Next week, girls’ soccer and boys’ and girls’ cross country will be up and running. We look forward to welcoming even more student-athletes to our fall sports programs.

Important Registration Information

If you have not yet registered on Arbiter Sports (formerly FamilyID), please do so as soon as possible. Registration is required for all student-athletes who wish to participate.

Registration Link:

https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/community-academy

The athletic fee is $50. You may pay the fee through Arbiter Sports or in the school store. Regardless of how you pay the athletic fee, you must still complete your registration on Arbiter Sports.

Please remember that in order to try out for and participate on a team, you must have a completed PIAA physical form on file.

PIAA Form Link:

https://www.piaa.org/assets/web/documents/PIAA_CIPPE_FORMS_SECTION(S)_1_-_10(1).pdf

I am looking forward to an exciting fall season and to celebrating all of the accomplishments of our student-athletes. Thank you for your commitment, hard work, and school spirit!

Go Bruins!

Mr. Bradley

1. September was originally the seventh month of the ancient Roman calendar. Its name comes from septem, the Latin word for “seven.”
2. September has two birth flowers: the aster and the morning glory.
3. The September birthstone is the sapphire, traditionally associated with wisdom, loyalty, and protection.
4. The autumnal equinox usually occurs on September 22 or 23, marking the official beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere.
5. September is the only month whose number of letters—nine—matches its position in the modern calendar.

Is your student struggling with the loss of a loved one or dealing with other grief related challenges? CAP offers K-12 school based youth grief counseling throughout the school year to offer support and understanding in a safe, confidential environment. All grief counseling groups are facilitated by trained Counselors from Peter’s Place. These groups are specifically designed to help students navigate their emotions, find healthy coping strategies, and connect with others who share similar experiences. If you would like to register your student for the group and receive more information, please register by completing this form. Grief and Loss Peer Support Group Registration

Please help us prepare transportation for the upcoming school year by completing the appropriate form(s) below.

Bus Interest Form (Grades 1–6)

Complete the Bus Interest Form if:

• Your child will be entering Grades 1–6.
• You are requesting bus service for the upcoming school year.
• Your child will attend an after-school daycare that requires bus transportation.

Please Note: Students must live more than 1.5 miles from CAP to be eligible for school bus transportation.

Bus Interest 2026-2027

Fare Card Request (Grades 7–12)

Complete the Fare Card Interest Form if:

• Your child will be entering Grades 7–12.
• Your child is new to CAP and needs a SEPTA fare card.
• Your child lost their fare card and will need a replacement for the first day of school.

Please Note: Students must live more than 1.5 miles from CAP to be eligible for a fare card.

Fare Card Interest 2026-2027

Flat Rate Transportation Program

If you are new to CAP or have a child entering Grades 1–6, you may be eligible for the Flat Rate Transportation Program.

This School District reimbursement program provides $300 per month to eligible families who choose to transport their child to and from school instead of using district-provided bus transportation.

Flatrate Enrollment Form 2026-2027

• Free Food Finder
  • Residents can find nearby food sites and meal programs through the City’s Free Food Finder.
  • Flyers and postcards are available in more than 10 languages to help spread the word.
  • Read the SNAP Benefits Change blog to stay up to date with the latest information.

Be sure to stay up to date with everything in the high school as we move through the school year. Many of our students have jumped right into their coursework. Don't forget: The mandatory summer reading assignment counts toward a project grade, and obtaining your uniform and school supplies should not be delayed until the last minute. I have also attached a copy of the Academic Calendar for your reference.

Flexible Instructional Day (FID) Program

CAP's Flexible Instructional Day (FID) program has received approval to continue for the next three school years. If the school needs to close for snow or another safety-related reason, families will be notified and students will complete schoolwork at home as part of the Flexible Instructional Day (FID) Program. Click here for more details: FID FAQs

Academic Calendar 2026-27

High School School Supply Lists

High School Uniform Order List

Cramer's Uniforms Flier

Parents and guardians, the following documents describe CAP's commitment to engaging families in their child's education. Please review each of the documents and reach out to your school Principal if you have any questions

CAP participates in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP is a provision from the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 which allows schools and local educational agencies (LEAs) with high poverty rates to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. CEP eliminates the burden of collecting household applications to determine eligibility for school meals, relying instead on information from other means-tested programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

If you have any questions about our meal program, you may contact Pat McGovern at 215-533-6700 x1223 or pmcgovern@communityacademy.org

Dear Members of the CAP Community,

We are writing to inform you of an important update to the 2025-2026 Student Handbook.

In compliance with federal regulations, all materials that inform the public about the USDA Child Nutrition Programs (such as the National School Lunch Program) must contain the current USDA Nondiscrimination Statement. To ensure that our handbook is fully compliant and transparent regarding our commitment to equal opportunity in all school activities and programs, the official USDA Nondiscrimination Statement has been added to the handbook.

The full, official statement now included in the handbook reads as follows:

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax: 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email: Program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Email: ljoel@capcs.org
Website: https://www.communityacademy.org/
Location: 1100 E. Erie Avenue
Phone: 215-533-6700 1501
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COMMUNITYACADEMYOFPHILADELPHIA/
Twitter: @CAPnewswire