With streamers flowing, Baldi Middle School celebrates 50 years

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A diverse school in Northeast Philadelphia celebrated its golden anniversary Monday afternoon.

As the ribbon on the front steps was cut and blue streamers flew, 1,500 students and staff outside C.C.A. Baldi Middle School in Bustleton celebrated the school’s 50th anniversary.

The school was built in 1974 and named after Charles Carmine Antonio Baldi, an Italian-born entrepreneur who became the first immigrant to serve on the Philadelphia School Board. He died in 1930.

Principal Bianca Gillis said C.C.A. Baldi would be proud to know the school serves students of 23 different nationalities.

“We have many nations in this building, but we are one. We love our students; we support our students and I think that that would warm his heart,” Gillis told KYW Newsradio. “I feel that he would be overjoyed. He would be proud to know his legacy in our school.”

In addition to being Taylor Swift’s great-great-grandfather, C.C.A. Baldi established a number of businesses early in the 20th century, including the Baldi Funeral Home in South Philadelphia.