JOIN BREAKTHROUGH.
EMBRACE YOUR BRILLIANCE.
Breakthrough Scholars get a tuition-free and rigorous academic, co-curricular and life-skills enrichment program that fosters their love of learning and commitment to succeed in education.
We are currently accepting applications from current 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders.
ALL IN A PLACE WHERE IT'S COOL TO BE SMART.
THE BREAKTHROUGH SCHOLAR ADVANTAGE
PROGRAM DETAILS
Multi-Year Program
runs year-round on the campus of Germantown Friends School. Program runs Saturdays during the school year, and six weeks during the summer.
Rigorous Academic Enrichment
in core subjects such as math, literature, writing and science
Elective Activities
including dance, visual arts, world languages, yoga, debate, golf, capoeira, soccer and other sports. Teaching Fellows also help design electives for Scholars!
High School Preparation
through application support, test prep and mentorship. Breakthrough hosts panels and fairs about high school options and process.
Life Skills
such as financial literacy, public speaking, health, fitness, and social justice courses
Inspiration and Mentorship
from Career Conversations guest speakers, field trips, office visits, high schoolers and college-aged Teaching Fellows on campus.
STUDENTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA
-
Academically motivated, mostly A/Bs and above
-
Currently enrolled at Philadelphia public, charter, or parochial school
-
Committed to attend programming until summer before 9th grade
-
Families able to participate in required meetings and/or activities
-
We also seek students who meet one of the following:
-
Participate in free/reduced lunch program
-
Live in a single parent household
-
First generation in family to attend college
-
Identify as a racial or ethnic minority
-
Live in household speaking primary language other than English
-
Attend an under-resourced school
-
GETTING STARTED
Information needed to start the process:
-
Basic Personal Information (address, phone number, email address)
-
Basic Parent Information (full name, highest level of education completed)
-
School Information (name of school, name of counselor or teacher for recommendation, email address of person completing recommendation)
-
Financial Information (do you qualify for free/reduced lunch?)
-
Picture of most recent report card (can be uploaded at a later date)
PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES
Partnership with students’ families is crucial for success. As part of the program, students’ families commit to:
-
Maintain an open dialogue with teachers
-
Participate in workshops and meetings
-
Meet application deadlines
-
Support our Scholars’ dreams and hopes
Breakthrough engages with families by offering:
-
Guidance and support during the high school application process
-
Learning workshops
-
Parent/Teaching Fellow meetings
-
Progress reports
OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS
