ABC News And Drake Fixes Troubled School!

Philadelphia school makes a drastic turnaround.

ABC News and rapper/entertainer Drake helped breathe new life into a struggling Philadelphia school.

Nightline covered the Strawberry Mansion High School in North Philadelphia. This school was on the brink of total destruction until one principal and her caring heart saved it from being closed indefinitely

. In April 1992 the school had 1,600 students both middle and high school grades. 65% were from low income families. At that time the school had a high dropout rate. That year the school had a Business Academy, a "school within a school" teaching students job skills and preparing them for further education and immediate post-graduation employment.

In May 2013 the school had 435 students. At that time 92 students were in the graduating class and 55 of them were accepted to community colleges and/or four year universities. Some of them were unable to afford the deposit fees. The school was listed on the State of Pennsylvania's list of "persistently dangerous high schools".

Drake encourages Strawberry Mansion students to have hope.

ABC News reports that Strawberry Mansion High School, where 94 security cameras line the hallways and metal detectors are posted at every door, was once considered one of the most dangerous schools in the country.

Located in a poor Philadelphia neighborhood with a high crime rate, Strawberry Mansion consistently appeared on Pennsylvania's "Persistently Dangerous Schools" list.

But for the first time in six years, that's no longer the case.

"We're off the 'Persistently Dangerous' list. We're very happy about that," said Principal Linda Cliatt-Wayman. "So we know we have a system in place that can curtail the violence. We know that."

School officers said they watched for razor blades in tin foil and knives in backpacks. Some students had to empty their pockets before being cleared to go to class.

It was Cliatt-Wayman's first year as principal -- the fourth principal for the high school in as many years.

A strong principal that cares. Thanks Linda Cliatt-Wayman.

When ABC News' special report aired, there had been 49 incidents during the school year, from fires to teacher attacks, reported in or near the school. ABC News cameras captured students brawling in the cafeteria and being bullied, as well as students who shared their dreams of going to college, but couldn't afford to.

But after the special, a tidal wave of generosity from viewers helped breathe new life into Strawberry Mansion. Money donated by viewers helped to pay for school uniforms and to provide 13 scholarships for seniors heading off to college, as well as basic necessities that were missing at Strawberry Mansion, including books, notebooks and calculators.

It touched Drake so much, he vowed that he'll build a recording studio inside the school.