The building was constructed from 1935-1938 based on the designs of Philadelphia School Board architect Irwin Catharine. The main body of the school is built of limestone-trimmed yellow brick, with a limestone low-rise section abutting the higher brick section. Piers and pilasters emphasize verticality in the Art Deco design. Carved cartouches show people at work. Classrooms adjoin one of two central light courts. At the time of its construction, the building represented a new trend in vocational education. Rather than just teach carpentry skills, the school taught, and had dedicated space for, subjects such as brick laying, plastering, plumbing, machine building, tailoring, and hairdressing. The school was named for Edward Bok, a Dutch born American editor and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, who edited the Ladies Home Journal for thirty years. Following the school's 2013 closing, some of the classes moved into the South Philadelphia High School building, 5 blocks away, prior to the start of the 2013-14 school year. Bok was scheduled to merge with South Philadelphia High. The building itself remained open for maintenance & operational reasons for at least 1 additional heating season as the boilers supply heat to Southwark School across the street. In Summer 2014, Bok was put up for auction by the School District and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation. Scout was selected as the developer in September 2014 and has proposed converting the building into a new destination for makers, creatives, innovators and entrepreneurs.
Academic Programs
Programs were designed to develop students into well-rounded individuals. In addition to regular academic and vocational course offerings, there were specialized programs in Business Technology Computer Assisted Design, Construction Trades, Culinary Arts, Computer/Networking, Health Related Sciences, Process Technology and Welding. Bok offered men's and women's interscholastic sports including: football, baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, track and field, volleyball, badminton, cheerleading, drill, team, and weight training. After School Clubs provided special enrichment activities for students. Bok was the only community high school in the city housing programs such as Sunrise of Philadelphia, Inc. and Variety the Children's Charity
Recognition
As of 2010, Bok had achieved Adequate Yearly Progress for 5 years straight. It has since been determined that their principal, Arthur "Larry" Melton, altered test answers to obtain that distinction. Their scores predictably returned to pre-scandal levels once Melton was convicted of cheating on the PSSA.
