ONE PROGRAM.
DUAL PURPOSE.
Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia is a seven-year academic accelerator for highly-motivated and high-need middle schoolers in Philadelphia. Through tuition-free academic and co-curricular enrichment, we prepare middle school students who have limited educational opportunities to attend and succeed at competitive, top choice high schools, and inspire a lifelong love of learning. Research conducted in Philadelphia shows that if a student attends a criteria-based high school, they are 3x more likely to attend college.*
For six weeks in the summer, and on most Saturdays during the school year, Scholars receive rigorous academic and co-curricular enrichment, life skills, mentorship, career inspiration, and support in the high school and college application processes — all provided at NO COST to their families.
Breakthrough also builds the next generation of diverse, talented teachers through its intensive teacher-in-residence program, which trains college students for careers in education. Such pre-professional development experiences often spark an interest in and commitment to working in the field of education, and a majority of Breakthrough Teaching Fellows pursue careers in this sector.
Teaching Fellows dive into a nine-week immersive classroom experience, where they learn best practices to engage, inspire, and challenge their students across four core content areas, and beyond. Teaching Fellows practice lesson design, implementation, restorative classroom management strategies, and engage in weekly observations and reflections to grow as pedagogs.
Inspiring students. Developing teachers. Together, we are Breakthrough.
* PEW 2023 Philadelphia State of the City
BREAKTHROUGH'S POINTS OF DIFFERENCE
Breakthrough’s tuition-free, seven-year academic accelerator program engages, inspires and prepares our students for top choice high schools, and sets the foundation for college and career success.
Early Intervention
We recruit students in the fifth grade -- a critical time for students academically, socially and emotionally.
Long Term Commitment
Students-Teaching-Students
We make a multi-year commitment to the students, ensuring they are prepared for entry into competitive, top choice high schools.
Our teachers are themselves students. As Teaching Fellows, they bolster their college education through hands-on teaching experience, while also modeling to our middle school Scholars the possibility of a promising future.
Small Class Sizes
With a maximum of 15 students per class, we create an environment for deeper collaboration and engagement with peers and content.
Growth Mindset
Core Values
We meet students where they are and embrace their potential, providing the support, tools and momentum needed for enduring learning and teaching.
We believe in the power of education to transform young people’s lives, and live each and every day to ensure our students receive the enrichment and opportunities they deserve.
WHAT INSPIRES US
We draw inspiration from the needs of youth and education systems here in Philadelphia. We invite you to explore some of the research and insights that keep us grounded in our work.
