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CCCS Culture

At Chester Community Charter School, we pride ourselves on having created a “Private, Public School” culture, in which our campuses, facilities and first-class, certified teaching staff resemble that of a private institution, with a 10-to-1, adult-to-child ratio; academic programs, which include partnerships with many of the region’s best colleges and universities; uniform attire/dress; an effective “no-tolerance” policy that, in more than 10 years of action, has only expelled one student; extracurricular activities and intra-scholastic sports. 

Student academic growth and parent satisfaction levels have contributed to CCCS’ steady growth, from its humble beginnings of 97 students in grades K-4, when it began in 1998, to its current enrollment of more than 3,000 students in grades K-8. The school engaged its parents and requested they create a “wish list,” depicting the type of education they desired for their children. In response, CCCS has a certified teacher and an assistant in every classroom, while each building has its own principal, behavioral specialist, social worker, and certified school counselor. 

Located in Chester PA, a proud, but economically challenged city, whose crime and poverty rates are among the highest in the state, Chester Community Charter School and its campuses stand out, breathing life back into the city, creating the first new school buildings Chester has seen since 1980.

On the CCCS campuses, the challenging climate of the city is contrasted by one of safety, security and caring, as CCCS buildings are secured by video surveillance and intercom systems with camera and door strike.  

Student Demographics:

The school’s student population is 90.38% African American; 7.58% Hispanic; 1.2% White; 0.16% Asian/Pacific Islander; 0.04% multicultural; and 0.64% other. Half of our students live in single-parent families; and 89.6% in low-income families. 

What makes us special? 

  • Chester Community Charter School is special because we have so much to offer. Many parents choose to send their children to our school for reasons including: 
  • Safe, warm, caring environment for students
  • Anti-bullying support groups and services in each building
  • XO Laptop computers for every student in the 3rd through 8th grade
  • State-of-the-art computer labs and classrooms
  • Newly constructed, clean and well-maintained school buildings
  • Dedicated staff of experienced teachers
  • Recipients of numerous state and federal competitive grants 
  • Strong performance on State exams and a continuing trend line of academic growth in the standardized test scores
  • Gifted and talented programs
  • Scholarship opportunities for graduating 8th graders
  • Parent report cards and an end of the year celebration for parents who get good grades
  • Annual Parent Appreciation Dinner, offered to honor CCCS parents who make a difference in the lives of their children by partnering with CCCS in order to support their child’s education

Dedication to the Chester Community

  • Our continued commitment to the Chester community is apparent through the following activities: 
  • Our on-site Headstart program, sponsored by the Delaware County Intermediate Unit, serving the community, families and children of Delaware County. 
  • Sponsorship of the annual Chester City Job Fair 
  • Participation in the annual Chester Mother’s Day Parade where Honor Students, and the basketball team march in the parade
  • Participation in the annual Riverfront Ramble, providing refreshments and giveaways for city residents
  • Participation in the  Chester Recreation Night 
  • Participation in Chester Weed and Seed Harvest Night. Weed & Seed is a community-based program that strives to prevent, control and reduce violence, crime, and drug activity in designated, high-crime neighborhoods; relying on the collaboration of partnering organizations, law faith groups, and citizens. 
  • Sponsorship of the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive event wherein CCCS staff raises funds to feed the underserved for the Thanksgiving holiday; 
  • Participation in Chester’s Fourth of July festivities 
  • Participation in the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony 
  • Parent Workshops and Super Saturdays, where CCCS students and their families get together and participate in educational and recreational activities
  • Mentoring programs offered by the Omega Psi Phi fraternity and the Andrew L. Hicks Foundation
  • Operation Warm
  • Pennies for Pasta
  • Jump Rope for the Heart
  • Walmart gift cards, uniforms, assistance for families in crisis, and disaster relief