FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 2019-20
Whether you are a new MBA family or a returning one, this page is full of useful information to help you navigate the first few weeks of school. Please read and if you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at
First Full Day of School
Kindergarten - Monday, September 9, 2019 – 9:00am
Grades 1-5 - Tuesday September 3, 2019 – 8:40am
Grades 6-12 - Tuesday September 3, 2019 – 8:00am
New Student Orientation Schedule
August 20th – Grade 9 - 8:30am – 1:00pm – all students (new and returning) are required to attend. Uniform is optional. Students in uniform will have their ID photos taken.
August 26th – Grades K-2 – 9:00am – 11:00am – new students only
August 27th – Grades 3-5 – 9:00am – 11:00am – new students only
August 28th – Grades 6-8 – 9:00am – 11:00am – new students only
August 29th – Grades 10-12 – 9:00am – 11:00am – new students only
August 30th – All Grades Make-up day – 9:00am – 11:00am – new students only
School Calendar
Please follow this link to the 2019-20 academic calendar. Please note that we have a number of days where students dismiss early for staff professional development. We ask that you please take advantage of these days to schedule doctor appointments.
Uniform
The MBA School Uniform can be purchased at Cramer’s Uniforms which is located at the corner of Frankford Ave. and Orthodox St. (4533 Frankford Ave.; 19124)
Grades K-5 Uniform Policy
Bottom
Navy Blue Pants/Plaid Romper (same pattern as our skirt)
Top
Light Blue Polo-Shirt with the MBA logo/light blue blouse (for under romper)
Sweater
Optional all year – Navy Blue Cardigan with MBA logo
Footwear
Black school shoes or all black sneakers. All black sneakers are required on days when students have gym. They are optional other days.
Gym Uniform
MBA sweatpants and with polo-shirt – to be worn all day during gym day.
Grades 6-12 Uniform Policy
Bottom
Pants can be worn by boys or girls- Navy blue pleated, two pocket dress pants. No tight, fitted or jean-like pants are permitted
Skirt is optional all year for girls. Skirts must be no shorter than 2 inches above the knee.
Top
Shirts - Blue dress oxford shirt, button down collar (buttoned) long or short sleeves with the MBA logo.
Ties - Plaid school tie
Sweater – optional all year
Footwear
Black or Navy School Shoe ONLY
School shoes are defined as a leather shoe that laces up and covers the entire foot.
NO sneakers, sandals, slippers, flip-flops, boots, open-back/sling back shoes
Socks
Socks and tights worn with the skirt must be solid navy blue with no patterns or designs.
When wearing pants, socks must be solid navy blue or solid white.
Lanyards/Belts
Lanyard
The lanyard is issued by the school and must be worn at all times. It will contain the student’s school ID.
Belt
Students must wear a solid black, blue or brown belt with pants
Gym Uniform
MANDATORY for students with gym on their schedules---OFFICIAL royal blue tee-shirt with MBA bulldog
Transportation
All students in grades 6-12 that live farther than 1.5 miles from the school, as determined by the School District of Philadelphia, will qualify for and receive a weekly SEPTA transpass. Transpasses will be given out to returning students on the first full day of school then once a week on the last weekday of school in a given week. New students may take a week or two to get on the list. This is 100% controlled by the School District and SEPTA.
All students in grades 1-5 that live farther than 1.5 miles from the school, as determined by the School District of Philadelphia, may qualify for bus service.
The School District does not provide transportation for students in Kindergarten.
If there are ever any issues with the bus service, such as lateness or a missed pick-up, please contact the School District at : 215-400-4350
Please contact Mr. Aikens with questions about transportation (waikens@mbacs.org).
Enrollment Questions
Sibling Preference Policy – MBA has a sibling preference policy. We cannot guarantee seats to siblings, however if we have available seats in a grade, then siblings of current MBA students will get preference to those seats. The MBA Sibling preference policy only applies to siblings that apply before the lottery deadline in early March. We cannot apply it after the lottery because at this point the waitlist has been established. We accept applications between September 20, 2019 and January 27, 2020. The public lottery is on January 29, 2019 at 9am. Please contact with questions or visit the admissions page.
Regular School Schedule
Kindergarten Students
The school opens for breakfast at 8:45AM. Classes begin at 9:00 AM. The regular school day ends at 3:15PM.
Elementary School Students (Grades 1-5)
The school opens for breakfast daily from 8:20 to 8:40 A.M. Class begins at 8:45 A.M. The regular school day ends at 3:30 P.M. Students should be picked up promptly or proceed home immediately.
Junior, Freshman, and Senior Academy Students (Grades 6-12)
The school opens for breakfast daily from 7:45 to 8:00 A.M. First period begins at 8:10 A.M., therefore students MUST be in their classrooms before 8:10 A.M. The regular school day ends at 3:00 P.M. Students should be picked up promptly or proceed home immediately.
Back to School Night
Back to School Night is scheduled for the evening of Thursday, September 19th from 5:00PM-7:00PM.
Before/After School Care
MBA does not provide before or after care. There are several providers that provide pick-up and drop-off services.
After School Clubs
MBA does have an after school club system. Clubs are for students in grades 6-12 at this time. The anticipated start date for afterschool clubs is October.
School Supply List
School supply lists vary by grade and teacher. Supply lists for grades K-9 are available here. Supply lists for other grades are given out the first week of school.
