Michael Gallagher of the locally based Flynn Co. represented theschool district. Sid Smith and John Mitkus of GVA Smith Mackrepresented the owner of the 84,000-sf building, which is locatedat the corner of Seventh and Market streets. Gallagher tellsGlobeSt.com the space for the school was previously vacant. Thevalue of the lease and rental rates are undisclosed.

The curriculum of the new magnet school will focus on law,democracy and civics. It will open in September with approximately125 ninth-grade public school students, selected on the basis ofacademic achievement and other criteria. An enrollment of 500 isprojected by 2009. Constitution High is among seven magnet schoolsscheduled to open here over the next several years under variouspartnerships, including ones with the Franklin Institute, Microsoftand the University of Pennsylvania.

Expansion of the locally based Constitution Center's educationalrole in this project is funded with a grant from the AnnenbergFoundation. Gilder Lehrman sponsors 31 history schools nationwide,and this will be its first in Pennsylvania. Constitution High isalso getting pro bono support from the locally based law firm ofBallard Spahr Andrews and Ingersoll.