Education

Evaluation Letters
For evaluation letters to request testing for children having trouble in school, see "Resources" section.
School District of Philadelphia
  • Main Number 215-400-4000
  • Office of Specialties Service including: special education, charter school information and exceptional student information- 215-400-4170
  • Listing of Charter Schools
- www.phila.k12.pa.us
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Information about Catholic Schools in Philadelphia - 215-965-1740 - www.catholicschools-phl.org
Head Start -Pre-Kindergarten
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. - www.paheadstart.org
United Way's Education is Key Kindergarden Registration
See link below for info on pre-registration for kindergarden. - http://www.uwsepa.org/Programs_KindergartenIsKey.asp
----COLLEGE PREPARATION/SCHOLARSHIPS---
Office of College and Carer Awareness
School District of Philadelphia's Office provides resources and guidance to Philadelphia's students to persue 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/
GEAR UP
Helps with college preparation and awareness to students in low-income communities. Starts in 6th or 7th grade and goes through high school- 215-400-4130 - http://sshs.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/ccawareness/gearup.html
White Williams Scholars
Gives monthly stipends to high-achieving, low-income public high school students that maintain AÂ’s and BÂ’s. Also publishes the Teen Philly (see below) Resource Guide that lists hundreds of activities and services for teens (a MUST for all teens and families)- 215 S. Broad Street, 5th Fl- 215-735-4480 - www.wwscholars.org - Click here for Teen Philly Resource Guide
The Ellis Trust: Grants and Scholarships for High School Girls Residing in Philadelphia
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 215-735-4483 with questions. - www.wwscholars.org/ellis/
Philadelphia Futures
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/
Stepping Stone Scholars
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. 230 South Broad St. Call (215) 599-0353 for info. - www.steppingstonescholars.org
College Access Program
Provides college readiness guidance for over 8,000 students a year- 3 offices- Center City- The Gallery I- 215-574-1341, North Phila. The Rivera Bldg, 2603 N. 5th Street, 4th Fl. 215-739-9360, and West Phila. 4601 Market Street, 3rd Fl 215-476-2227 - www.philaedfund.org/collegeaccess
Gateway to College
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 215-751-8540 or go online for an application. - www.ccp.edu/site/gateway
CORE Philly (College Opportunity Resources for Education program)
CORE Philly offers scholarships to ALL Philadelphia high school seniors for their first year in college. This initiative ensures that all of Philadelphia's children have access to the benefits of a higher education -call 215-246-3513 or go to thier website below to apply - www.corephilly.org
----OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH/GED/TEEN PARENTING----
Project U Turn
Out of school? Want a high school diploma or GED? Call 1-877-TURN-180 for help. - www.projectuturn.net - Click here for Guide to Education Programs for Out-of-School Youth
E3 Power Program
Helps out of school youth acquire the necessary skills and work experience tomake the transition into adulthood. Programs include: mentoring; college readiness; community service; GED; tutoring and support groups. 3 locations:
  • Girard Branch 1215 Germantown Avenue 215-236-5565

  • North Broad Branch 1231 North Broad Street 215-763-2393

  • Parkside Branch 5070 Parkside Avenue 215-387-2134


- www.e3philly.org/
Alternatives to Traditional High School
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. - Alternatives to High School
The Lighthouse
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, ext 235 or 236 ask for Maribel Santiago - www.lighthousephilly.org
ELECT Teen Parenting Program (CTC-Cradle to Classroom)
Designed to assist pregnant and parenting students in the completion of their high school education- click here for listing of teen parenting classrooms or call 267-386-4600 - www.cisphl.org - ELECT Info
YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School
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
Communities in Schools of Philadelphia (CISP)
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
Truancy and Behavioral Interventions
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 4
----MISCELLANEOUS----
Bullying
Office of Family and Student Support- if teacher or principal canÂ’t fix the problem call the Parent- Hot-Line- 215-400-SAFE
Office of Specialized Services of the School District of Phila.
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 - www.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/oss/
Special Education Consult Line Phila. School District
Main phone number for most issues relating to Philadelphia school system- 800-879-2301
ASPIRA, Inc.
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 - aspirapa.org/
Office of Language, Culture, and the Arts
Office of The School District of Philadelphia that helps English Language Learners Excel. 215-400-4240 - www.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/olca/
Philly Counselor
A site for and by Philadelphia school counselors. See site for resources and listings of counselors in your school. - www.phillycounselor.com
Foster Care Education Initiative
Resources to improve educational oportunities for children in foster care. Call (215) 238-6970 for help or visit their website below. - www.fosteredpa.org
Education Law Center
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