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Ivy Leaf School Collection
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Held at: Temple University Libraries: Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Temple University Libraries: Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
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The Ivy Leaf School was a tuition-based educational institution that was founded in 1965 by William and Liller Green. It is the oldest African American school in the City of Philadelphia and one of the largest in the nation. From the beginning, Ivy Leaf provided an accelerated academic program that resulted in the widespread support of parents and the community.
From an initial enrollment of 17 pre-school in 1965 the school's educational ladder extended from nursery through eighth grade, with a student enrollment of 725 students.
During the 2000-2001 school years the corporate structure of Ivy Leaf School changed from a family-owned enterprise to a non-profit school managed by a Board of Directors. The decision challenged the school to move on to greater heights as it sought to broaden educational opportunities for its student body.
True to its legacy, the school continued to take seriously its mission to prepare each student to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and personal values which helped them to become active, productive, and concerned individuals. The school's steadfast pursuit of excellence, within a positive and nurturing environment has earned it a national reputation.
The Ivy Leaf School was built upon a great legacy that focused upon teaching their student body the value of learning and achievement, respect for the individual, and service to others.
Students who graduated from Ivy Leaf School were accepted into the top academic high schools in the city. Many of their alumni are graduates of some of the outstanding institutions in the country and are making significant contributions in their communities in law, medicine, technology, education, science, and public service.
Ivy Leaf's progress over the years has been possible due to its fine staff, excellent program, and the wonderful support of parents and the community. Within the framework of a comprehensive curriculum which emphasized the mastery of academic skills, in which the history and culture of African peoples were taught, Ivy Leaf School sought to prepare to become effective and productive leaders of tomorrow and to meet the needs, demands and challenges of our changing society.
From 1999-2000, Ivy Leaf School participated in a voluntary process of self-evaluation as measured by standards certified by the Commission on Elementary Schools, Middle States Association of Colleges and School. Ivy Leaf School passed a rigid scrutiny which validated the outstanding educational legacy it has created during its 40-year history.
Highlights in the History of Ivy Leaf School
1965 Ivy Leaf School founded by William C. and Liller B. Green. The school officially opened at 168 Herman with 17 pre-school students. Liller Green became director of Ivy Leaf School. Maximum student population of 55 reached (1965-1970).
1970 Ivy Leaf School incorporated under the Corporation Law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
1971 Purchase and renovation of the property at 629 E. Church Lane. Education ladder extended from first through fourth grade. Total student population 255.
1977 Ivy Leaf School Parent's Council organized. The council purchases 22 computers for classroom instruction.
1979 Purchase and renovation of the property at 1196. E. Washington Lane. Education ladder extended to the 8th grade. Betty Lightly appointed Lead Teacher of Church Lane Pre- School program.
1981 William C. Green joins the administrative staff of Ivy Leaf School as Dean of Students after 30 years as a teacher and administrator with the School District of Philadelphia.
1982 Purchase and renovation of the old Temple Judea building at 6929 N. Broad Street. The building is dedicated as a Middle School.
1983 William C. Green becomes the first Director of Ivy Leaf Middle School. Fifth through ninth grade students began class in the Broad Street building. Directors decide to limit educational ladder from nursery to ninth grade, Broad Street became Ivy Leaf Middle School exclusively. Total school enrollment reaches 650.
1984 First full eighth grade class graduation from Ivy Leaf Middle School; one ninth grade class graduated.
1985 Observance of the Twentieth Anniversary of Ivy Leaf School at Convention Hall (Pennsylvania Hall).
1986 168 East Herman Street which housed Nursery-Pre-Kindergarten was sold; classes moved to Church Lane. Kindergarten classes moved to Washington Lane. Fourth Grade classes moved to Broad Street. Renee Brooks appointed as Coordinator of Ivy Elementary School.
1987 Barbara Hicks appointed Administrative Assistant of Ivy Leaf Middle School. First Move- Up Day activity for third graders.
1989 William Green retires as Director of Ivy Leaf Middle School. Barbara Hicks appointed Administrator of Ivy Leaf Middle School. Charles Coleman appointed as Administrative Assistant of Ivy Leaf Middle School.
1990 Observance of the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of Ivy leaf School at Lakey's Restaurant.
1991 Charles Coleman resigns as Administrative Assistant of Ivy Leaf School. Alice Hollingshed appointed as Administrative Assistant to replace Charles Coleman.
1992 Mattie Wilkinson appointed Counselor and Physical Educational Resource Consultant of Ivy Leaf School.
1993 Charles Coleman appointed Counselor and Physical Educational instructor of Ivy Leaf School. The Rites of Passage Program for Seventh and 8th grade boys initiated by Charles Coleman.
1994 Thirty year Anniversary of Ivy Leaf School begins with a series of programs and activities to mark the occasion. Total student population reaches 770.
1999 Liller Green retires as Director of Ivy Leaf School after a distinguished 34 year career. Renee C. Brooks appointed Director of Ivy Leaf School.
2000 Ivy leaf School applies for and receives approval to operate as a 501.c.3 non-profit, corporation. A Board of Directors is selected to conduct the affairs of the school.
2001 Ivy Leaf receives accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Scholarship Fund established.
2002 Bill Cosby accepts an invitation to visit Ivy Leaf School. He delivers an inspiring speech to Middle School students. Pattie Labelle accepts an invitation to visit Ivy Leaf School and provides encouraging words to the student body.
2003 The Church Lane Building is closed. Students are transferred to the Lower School at Washington Lane. Two modules are purchased to provide facilities for the pre-school students.
2004 The 40th Anniversary of Ivy Leaf School is initiated with a parade and Fall Festival at Washington Lane site.
2005 Ivy Leaf School commemorated its 40th Anniversary with a banquet at the Philadelphia Downtown Marriott. Renee Brooks resigns as Director of Ivy Leaf School. Liller B. Green returns as as interim Director of Ivy Leaf School. Mattie D. Wilkinson recommended by the Board to become Director of Ivy Lead School effective September 1, 2005.
2006 Kwanzaa and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations were held on the campus of the New Covenant Church in Mount Airy.
2008 The School officially closed on June 13, 2008 after 43 years of service to Philadelphia and surrounding communities.
2012 Green Tree School purchases the former Ivy Leaf School property on Washington Lane.
The collection consists of the papers of William C. and Liller B. Green from 1965-2008. The papers include curriculums, correspondence, photographs, yearbooks, graduation programs, videos, cassettes and other collected material related to the school's history, accreditation, daily operations, special school activities and outstanding alumni. The majority of the correspondence concerns the student and parent activities. Also of interest in the collection are a number of articles concerning the school including awards and citations. Photographs are mostly of students, faculty and alumni. The collection also includes the school's 20th, 30th and 40th commemorative anniversary publications.
Gift, 2013.
Original audiovisual materials, as well as preservation and duplicating masters, may not be played. Researchers must consult use copies, or if none exist must pay for a use copy. Certain digital files may also be inaccessible. Please contact the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection for more information.
Processed by Dhruv Thakker; Supervised by Leslie Willis-Lowry, March 2013.
- Publisher
- Temple University Libraries: Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection
- Finding Aid Author
- Machine-readable finding aid created by: Rajkumar Natarajan, Sky Global Services India (P) Ltd.
- Finding Aid Date
- January 2025
- Access Restrictions
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Collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
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The Ivy Leaf School Collection is the physical property of the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, Temple University Libraries. The creator/donor has not assigned their rights to Temple University Libraries. Other creators' intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to them or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.