Background

The Philadelphia Education Fund (the Ed Fund) is the regional partner for Johns Hopkins University's Talent Development comprehensive school reform initiative for low-performing high schools. the Ed Fund works with Hopkins to implement and evaluate Talent Development High Schools with Career Academies within the School District of Philadelphia. The Talent Development model has been adopted in seven of the District's comprehensive neighborhood high schools.

Core Components

-Ninth Grade Success Academy
A self-contained school-within-a-school that provides incoming freshmen with a 'double-dose' curriculum in English and Math.

-Tenth Grade Success Academy
The continuation of the ninth-grade academy, again designed as a separate school-within-a-school.

-Career Academies
Grades 10-12, divided into teams, serving 130-150 students.

-Innovative Curriculum Instruction
An academic 'catch-up' process provides students with the learning opportunities, motivation and supports they need to overcome poor prior preparation and to successfully complete a core college prep curriculum.

-Teacher Support
Year-round professional development is provided, both in classroom and in small-group, content-specific workshops.

-On-Site Facilitators and Curriculum Coaches
Highly-trained, on-site staff, consisting of an organizational facilitator and academic coaches, work with participating schools to improve student academic performance and to create a safer school climate.

Extra Help for Students
Summer School, Saturday School, after-hours Credit School and an after-school alternative program (Twilight School), offer students additional services in a small-class environment with dedicated support staff.

Funding Sources

U.S. Department of Education
School District of Philadelphia
Johns Hopkins University
Waste Management
PNC Bank