CSFP Schools Learn About Keystone STARS and PHL Pre-K

As a part of our ongoing efforts to provide access to quality education for Philadelphia children, we have been working with several local organizations on an initiative to increase awareness of and access to effective Pre-K programs in Philadelphia. Through a grant funded by the William Penn Foundation, CSFP is working to connect our schools with organizations that can help improve school-based Pre-K programs, as well as empowering parents to make informed decisions regarding Pre-K.

This past month, CSFP convened a Pre-K focus group meeting of more than 20 leaders from private schools within our network and representatives from both the Mayor’s Office of Education and the Southeast Regional Key (SERK). School leaders learned about partnership opportunities with PHL PreK, the city’s universal Pre-K program, and the certification process to be part of Keystone STARS, the state’s quality recognition and support program for early care and education providers.

School leaders left the meeting excited about potential partnership opportunities. As a result of the meeting, several CSFP schools took the first steps to become recognized by Keystone STARS. We congratulate Visitation BVM, St. Katherine of Sienna, St. Mary’s Interparochial School, Blessed Trinity Catholic School, Hunting Park Christian Academy, Cedar Grove Christian Academy, and Our Lady of Hope Regional Catholic School, for taking these important first steps.

Please note that CSFP provides scholarship support for children in kindergarten through 8^th grade, and does not currently provide scholarships for Pre-K.

Read more about CSFP’s Pre-K initiative.