Promise Neighborhood
The Promise Neighborhood is a US Department of Education-funded program to support “cradle to career opportunities for children living or attending schools in the West Philadelphia Promise Zone. The Promise Zone is roughly 2 square miles that is bounded by 48th street to the west, the Schuylkill River to the East, Girard Avenue to North and Sansom Street to the south. The program seeks to improve education, health, and economic successes for children, their families, and communities.
7 Promise Neighborhood Schools
Alain Locke Elementary
Belmont Charter School
Martha Washington Elementary
Morton McMichael School
Samuel Powel Elementary
SLA Middle School
West Philadelphia High School
5 Key Goals Include:
1. Children start their education ready to succeed
Families gain access to quality pre-K
Parents, grandparents, and caregivers have opportunities to become involved in their child’s education
Children transition smoothly from pre-K to kindergarten
2. Children thrive in healthy, safe and stable communities with access to the latest technology in schools and community center
Families gain access to behavioral healthcare and intervention services for their children
Free food cupboards and pay-what-you-can meal programs provide healthy food daily
Schools and neighborhood centers offer free and fun exercise, sports, and health programs
More adults participating to job training, adult education, and high school degree completion programs
Students and families have internet at school and in neighborhood centers
3. High school students graduate with the skills they need for success
Students receive additional literacy support
Students have greater access to more after school programs
Students hone their skills through training and coaching opportunities
Adults create a supportive school environment that increases student’s sense of safety and belonging
Students find their pathway to a high school diploma
4. High school graduates continue their education and achieve their career goals
Students are connected to internships, summer jobs, and work experiences
Students receive and participate in career and college mentoring
Additional capacity for career certification and vocation classes in schools
5. Measuring and improving progress to these goals
Data is collected in schools, neighborhoods, and programs to understand the process and impact of the programs, and do required reporting to the US Department of Education
Results are reported back to parents, schools, and neighborhoods on a regular basis
Ongoing opportunities for parents, students, and neighborhood residents to contribute to collecting, reporting, and using the data