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