For evaluation letters to request testing for children having trouble in school, see “Resources” section.
The mission of GreatPhillySchools is to make information accessible so parents, guardians, and students can find, compare, and demand great schools.
http://greatphillyschools.org/
One application for almost all charter school in Philly. Just click here applyphillycharter.org
Promoting fairness and quality education in the public school system, and helping families understand and enforce their legal rights, from prompt early intervention services, children whose native language is not English, and children with disabilities- 1315 Walnut Street, 4 th Floor – 215-238-6970
www.elc-pa.org
The Student Assistance Program is a free service for students and families available through the Philadelphia School District and participating charter schools. Schools partner with outside agencies to conduct behavioral health and substance use assessments for K-12 students who are experiencing academic and emotional difficulties. Certified Student Assistance Program assessors collaborate with schools and families to provide recommendations for addressing risk behaviors and barriers to academic achievement and link families to services. To request a SAP assessment for your child, please talk to your school counselor and ask for the referral packet.
For further details: www.pnsas.org
Information about Catholic Schools in Philadelphia – 215-587-3700
www.catholicschools-phl.org
Click here for individual school info and applications http://choosemyfuture.org/
Main phone number for most issues relating to Philadelphia school system- 800-879-2301
The Office of Specialized Services (OSS) is committed to the educational, social, physical, and emotional well being of students within the School District of Philadelphia. The OSS provides comprehensive special education, behavioral health, school health, and prevention/intervention programs. 215-400-4170
https://www.philasd.org/specializedservices/
Serves 17-21 year old who are, or have, aged out of foster care get GED/High School Diploma, job opportunities and much more. Call 215-204-3170 for info and here for flyer.
Call 888-575-7373 for info
www.ncld.org/
ConsultLine is a toll-free information help line for parents and advocates of children with disabilities including learning issues who have questions or concerns about the education of a school-aged child. You can call the ConsultLine by calling 800-879-2301 or 717-901-2146, or you can request that the ConsultLine call you by filling out an online request form at www.odr-pa.org/contact-consultline.
If you don’t agree with your child’s IEP contact the Office for Dispute Resolution who can set up the mediation and due process request for all of Pennsylvania, and provides training and services regarding other ways to settle disagreements for students who have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) Voice: 800-222-3353 TTY Users: PA Relay 711 Email: odr@odr-pa.org Fax: 717-657-5983 Website: www.odr-pa.org
Click on link for info about programs for summer learning and enrichment.
www.philasd.org/face/tag/summer-learning/
Answers all questions related to public education
For ALL languages, click here• Albanian* – 215 400-8481
• Chinese* – 215 400-8482
• French* – 215 400-8483
• Khmer* – 215 400-8484
• Russian* – 215 400-8485
• Spanish – 215 400-8489
• Vietnamese* – 215 400-8486
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Find Pre-K and quality child care for kids from birth to five. Call 844-PHL-PREK (844-745-7735) or check out the great website here. www.phlprek.org
Click www.phlprek.org/programs for interactive map and here for eligibility.
Info and links to many preschool programs in Philly.
Click here for info or call 215-400-4270 www.philasd.org/earlychildhood
Keystone STARS provides families a tool to gauge the quality early learning programs and is proven to
improve the quality of child care based on an independent study. Child care and Head Start programs earn a STAR 1 to STAR 4 level by meeting quality standards for teacher qualifications, learning environment and program management. Click here for info
Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program for low-income three, four, and five year olds. It provides children with a developmentally appropriate early childhood education. The program ensures that young children get health checkups and treatment, and that they are fed a nutritious hot meal every day. 215-400-4270 to register or 866-763-6481 for more info.
Click here for applications or apply online at Compass
www.phlprek.org/head-start/
Very helpful guide on what you need to register your child for school.
Click here for guide
New site that helps families get the skills necessary for success for their children starting Kindergarten.
Click here for help conqueringkindergarten.org.
The Steppingstone Scholars Program prepares motivated city schoolchildren for acceptance and success at the top college preparatory schools in the Philadelphia area. Highly motivated students and parents must apply in the Fall of 4th grade. 4112 Station Street, Unit D. Call 215-204-5130 for info.
http://steppingstonescholars.org/
Breakthrough Philadelphia sets highly-motivated, underserved middle-school students on the path to and through college. Students and parents/guardians apply to this 10-year program from Fall through Winter of 6th grade. Programs and supports continue through high school and college. Call (215) 261-6705 or go to website. breakthroughphilly.org
The Young Scholars Program is a selective pre-college scholarship for high-performing 7th grade students with financial need. Call 703-723-8000 for info. www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships
Philadelphia Futures prepares students from low-income families to enter and succeed in college by providing mentoring, academic enrichment, college guidance and financial incentives. Also publishes Step Up to College, a guide to the college and financial aid application processes that is distributed to all high school students; the Guide also is available free of charge on request.- 230 S. Braod St, 7th Fl-215-790-1666
philadelphiafutures.org/
From Philadelphia Futures. All the info you need to prepare for, choose and pay for college. Click below for info
www.stepuptocollege.org
The Ellis Trust provides financial assistance for school needs, extracurricular programs, summer camps and/or high school tuition for high-achieving girls in grades 9-12 who reside in Philadelphia. Eligible girls are from single parent families who meet federal reduced lunch income eligibility guidelines. Call 215-790-1666, ext 442 with questions.
www.ellistrust.org
The Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia provides educational alternatives to low-income Philadelphia families through needs based scholarships. Call (215) 670-8411 or go to website below for info. .
www.csfphiladelphia.org
ABC’s mission is to increase substantially the number of well-educated young people of color who are capable of assuming positions of responsibility and leadership in American society. We carry out our mission through our signature College Preparatory Schools Program (“CPSP”), which annually recruits, refers and supports about 500 A Better Chance Scholars at more than 300 of the nation’s leading boarding, day and public schools. Call (610) 992-0995 or go to website.
http://www.abetterchance.org/
Various locations throughout the city for motivated lower income students to help them achieve their goals of college graduation. Various universities/colleges work with students at select high schools Click on the one that manages your high school. Must apply in 9th or early 10th grade and be the first generation to finish college.
University of Pennsylvania (Overbrook, Parkway West, Sayre, West Philly)
CCP Trio Upward Bound (Ben Franklin, Edison, South Philly, West Philly)
Temple University (all high schools)
Harcum College (Bartram Motivation High School, Communications and Technology High School)
Gwynedd Mercy (Hallahan , Little Flower, Neumann/Goretti High School, West Catholic, Roman Catholic)
Designed to ease the scholarship search process, Scholly aims to fix the outdated search methods that require filling out long, tiresome forms and then fail to deliver relevant results.
myscholly.com
Questbridge helps connect the brighest low-income students to America’s best universities and opportunities. Check out their website for info.
www.questbridge.org/
Let’s Get Ready provides free SAT prep, admissions counseling, and post-enrollment mentoring to students from low-income backgrounds and who are first-generation-to-college. Their peer-driven program is administered by highly trained and highly effective college students who mentor younger students to and through college. Click here for info https://letsgetready.org/
Specifically for high schoolers and college students interested in the transportation industry (city planning, SEPTA, Amtrak and more). Click here for info or go to site www.wtsinternational.org/philadelphia/scholarships
Gateway to College at Community College of Philadelphia is a scholarship program for School District of Philadelphia students, ages of 16-20, who have dropped out of school but have a desire to get back on track and earn a high school diploma and college credits. Call 215-751-8246 or go online for an application.
www.ccp.edu/site/gateway
The College Access Centers are free and open to the public. Services to adult and school-aged individuals are provided by trained staff members committed to helping make college a reality for anyone interested in higher education.
1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Suite 700 215-665-1400
http://philaedfund.org/cap
Search for info on colleges, how to pay for college, and how to prepare. Go to website below.
www.collegeboard.com
Great info on steps necessary to get into college from 9th grade to adulthood. Call 215.686.0315 for more info or go to site below.
http://phillygoestocollege.com
Great website to prepare for college from middle school on.
www.knowhow2go.org
Offers up to $2,000 for graduating high school seniors to help pay first year college expenses. Call 267-507-1690 or go to website to start application.
www.corescholars.org
Click here for over 200 scholarships for high schoolers https://www.philafound.org/students/apply-for-a-scholarship/
For graduating seniors or first year college students from lower income families. 30 scholarships a year to help defray costs. Click www.herbie.com/hif-scholarship for info.
Click links below for more info:
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A one stop shopping resource center to help 16-21 year olds reenroll in diploma or GED programs. Call 215-400-6700 or visit the center at 440 North Broad Street Suite 1013 7:30-6:00 pm M-F
Click here for info or go to site below.
www.philasd.org/alternative/get-started
Listing of Options
Click below to get listing of alternatives to traditional high schools for out of school youth or those looking for alternatives. Listing from Project U-Turn. http://www.pyninc.org/projectuturn/reconnecting.php or from school districts website http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/r/alternative
Click here for GREAT Alternatives to Traditional High School
Out of school? Want a high school diploma or GED? Call 1-877-TURN-180 for help.
www.projectuturn.net
Click here for tutorials
For Keystone First members who are interested in obtaining their GED.
Click here for info and referral
Helps out of school youth acquire the necessary skills and work experience to make the transition into adulthood. Programs include: mentoring; college readiness; community service; GED; tutoring and support groups. 5 locations:
E3 Center City 112 N Broad Street, 12th Floor |267-238-3180
E3 North 2800 N American Street | 215-7638870 ext. 7260
E3 Southwest 5407 Grays Avenue | 267-299-2509
E3 West 4111 Lancaster Avenue | 215-387-2134
beta.phila.gov/programs/e3-power-centers
YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School provides out-of-school youth in Philadelphia with the broadest range of tools, supports and opportunities available to become self-sufficient, responsible and productive citizens in their community.
Students earn their high school diplomas while learning valuable job skills and engaging in community service projects. YouthBuild Philadelphia rebuilds lives and communities! 1231 N. Broad St, 3rd Fl 215-627-8671.
www.youthbuildphilly.org
School District of Philadelphia Office of Instructional and Behavioral Intervention- tries to create individualized pathways that lead to quality education for each student- 215-400-4220, option 1
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Several resources from the School District including Fact Sheets and help with College. Go to www.philasd.org/multilingual
YES’ year-round open entry program combines enticing media and art activities with proven counseling models, GED preparatory classes and job-readiness training. Call 215.769.0340 for info.
www.yesphilly.org
CISP specializes in helping kids learn succesfully, stay in school, and prepare for life. They have dozens of innovative programs to help disadvantaged, low income, underserved students succeed. Programs include: After School Enrichment Academies; ELECT Cradle to Classroom; Males Achieving Responsibility (teen fathers); Parent Child Home initiative; Career Academies; and Youth Works (summer job program)- 2000 Hamilton Street- 267-386-4600.
www.cisphl.org
Great resource for families interested in getting help with parenting and helping their child in school. Great brochures and videos.
http://www.partnerspa.org/default.aspx
Office of The School District of Philadelphia that helps English Language Learners Excel. 215-400-4240
www.philasd.org/multilingual
School District of Philadelphia’s Office provides resources and guidance to Philadelphia’s students to pursue their dreams. Provides resources on college preparation and career development- 440 N Broad St. Suite 212- call 215-400-4130.
www.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/ccawareness/ also free resource below
phila.schoolnet.com/outreach/philadelphia/students/beyond/local
Promoting fairness and quality education in the public school system, and helping families understand and enforce their legal rights, from prompt early intervention services, children whose native language is not English, and children with disabilities- 1315 Walnut Street, 4 th Floor – 215-238-6970
www.elc-pa.org
The ASPIRA Association promotes the empowerment of the Puerto Rican and Latino community by developing and nurturing leadership, intellectual and cultural potential of its youth so that they may contribute their skills and dedication to the fullest development of the Puerto Rican and Latino community everywhere. Multiple programs for youth development- 4322 N. 5th-215-455-1300
www.aspira.org/
Main phone number for most issues relating to Philadelphia school system- 800-879-2301
The Special Education Consult Line handbook
A site for and by Philadelphia school counselors. See site for resources and listings of counselors in your school.
www.phillycounselor.com
The Office of Specialized Services (OSS) is committed to the educational, social, physical, and emotional well being of students within the School District of Philadelphia. The OSS provides comprehensive special education, behavioral health, school health, and prevention/intervention programs. 215-400-4170
https://www.philasd.org/specializedservices/
Mighty Writers is a unique organization that whose mission it is is to help school-aged kids learn the joy of writing. They offer tutoring and writing workshops. 1501 Chrsitian Street. 267.239.0899.
www.mightywriters.org
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The Free Library of Philadelphia offers free online homework help with a live tutor, for students in kindergarten through college. To access this resource, first sign up for a library card. Next visit www.freelibrary.org and click on “Homework Help” in the upper right-hand corner to log in (in the “ASK” section). Homework Help from Brainfuse is available in both English and Spanish, and it also provides feedback on writing. Available 2pm-11pm every day.
Free educational videos on all topics from K-12. Learn at your own pace.
www.khanacademy.org
Thousands of resources for learning and help with homework from PA Department of Education
kidspowerlibrary.org
A free, drop-in after school program that provides homework help, computer literacy, library skills, and presents cultural enrichment programs that assists children and teens Grades 1-12- 215-686-5372
www.library.phila.gov/libserv/leap.htm
This free program provides small group literacy instruction for students in 1st to 3rd grade who struggle to read on grade level. Click this link to find a location near you.
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ELECT (Education Leading to Employment Career Training) Teen Parent Classrooms help pregnant and parenting teens finish their high school education and plan for college and/or employment after high-school. The ELECT staff provides academic and social service support, case management, home visits and group activities. For more information call 215-400-4250.
https://www.philasd.org/face/programs-services/elect/
ELECT Referral Form
Program that seeks to empower young mothers 18-21 years old with the skills necessary to compete in the workforce- GED prep., money skills- 152 West Lehigh Ave.- 215-425-7800.