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Philadelphia Principal Wins "Rising Star" Award

By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- One of Philadelphia's most prominent principals has another feather in his cap.

At first, Chris Lehmann didn't believe he'd won the "Rising Star" award from the McGraw-Hill Financial Research Foundation.

"When they called me I thought I was getting a prank call from a friend!"

Chris Lehmann
(credi: Chris Lehmann)

Lehmann is the founding principal of the eight-year-old Science Leadership Academy, a magnet high school in Center City, run in partnership with the Franklin Institute.

Lehmann says the inquiry-driven education and ethic of care at his school is only one example of Philly schools achieving.

"It is important to understand that great things are happening in our schools, SLA being but one story of that."

The award comes with a $50,000 prize. Lehmann says he hasn't even thought about what to do with the money.

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