American Paradigm Schools recently named Steven Bilski as the new principal and CEO of Memphis Street Academy in Port Richmond.
Bilski, who has worked at MSA for nearly a decade, will be taking over despite the School District of Philadelphia’s decision to invoke a surrender clause on the school in June that will likely force its closure following the upcoming school year.
“Steven is an invaluable asset to our team here at MSA,” said Ashley Redfearn, the CEO of American Paradigm Schools, in a press release. “His passion for teaching our students, coupled with his extensive knowledge and prior leadership experience, makes him the perfect fit as the new CEO and principal. His expertise will be critical as we continue to remain a resource for the community while we navigate the challenges MSA is currently facing.”
Bilski initially joined MSA in 2013 as a seventh-grade social studies teacher. Since then, he has served as a faculty adviser to the Junior Model United Nations Club, an assistant coach for the baseball team and an instructional coach for teachers in English, language arts, mathematics and science.
Promoted to director of operations in 2019 and then assistant principal not long after, Bilski has supervised all math, social studies, science, expressive arts and ESL teachers at MSA. He has also helped develop MSA’s master schedule and serves as the ESL coordinator.
“I have served in a multitude of roles here at MSA over the past nine years – I care deeply about my school, my students, their parents and our community as a whole, and look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve them in my new role as CEO and principal,” Bilski said. “We look forward to remaining open for the 2022-2023 school year and will continue doing everything in our power to maintain programming such as English language access services, health center access services, food and nutrition programs, athletics, community activities and more.”
MSA officials have said that they will continue to fight to remain open beyond the 2022-23 school year, most recently filing a civil rights complaint in federal court. Should the school be shut down, more than 500 students will be displaced.
