Promise Neighborhood

The Promise Neighborhood was 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 federally designated 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 sought to improve education, health, and economic successes for children, their families, and communities, and UCP continues to work to advance these goals through its Centers and Initiatives.

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.