On January 13, representatives from Children Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP)’s network of over 185 quality area schools gathered for CSFP’s 10th annual Principals’ Meeting. At the meeting, Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia staff discussed the K-8th grade scholarship program guidelines and school evaluation processes with school representatives in attendance. The event also provided an opportunity for…

A new study conducted by Matthew M. Chingos of the Brookings Institution and Paul E. Peterson of the Harvard Kennedy School finds that minority students who received a school voucher to attend private elementary schools in 1997 were, as of 2013, 10 percent more likely to enroll in college and 35 percent more likely than their peers in public school to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

For poor and minority students in Philadelphia, there really are two kinds of schools: those that work and those that don’t. Students who end up in the effective schools achieve significantly better outcomes. This variation in outcomes is not dependent on school type, student income levels, or other out-of-school factors. By expanding the “system” of effective schools, we can give more students access to a higher quality education.

On October 25, CSFP and Urban Outfitters, Inc. hosted the “Sowing the Seeds of Future Success” Benefit Party focusing on educational innovation in the Philadelphia area. A crowd of over 300 CSFP donors, supporters, and friends attended the Benefit dinner and main program, and over 200 young professionals joined the Young Friends of CSFP for…

On October 30, CSFP announced the availability of 2,000 new four-year scholarships at URBN, Inc.’s headquarters at the Navy Yard. Hundreds of students, school representatives, and families joined CSFP to celebrate the start of the new application season, during which time low-income Philadelphia families with children in K-8th grades can enter the CSFP random lottery…

On October 11, CSFP hosted its 5th annual High School Workshop at West Catholic High School. The event drew more than 200 CSFP 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, and their parents, for informational sessions about the transition to high school. Representatives from private, public, and charter high schools discussed strategies for applying to and succeeding…

On September 15, CSFP Executive Director Ina Lipman testified before the Pennsylvania Education Committee in Harrisburg regarding changes and improvements to two Pennsylvania tax credits programs: the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC). Ina advised the Committee of the tremendous impact area business have made through utilization of these…

Each year, as predictably as classes end in June, the School District of Philadelphia faces a budget crisis for the coming school year.

July 24th marked the final day of CSFP’s four-session Math and Writing Tutorial. The course was designed to help prepare rising eighth and ninth grade students  for the upcoming school year. Philadelphia teachers conducted four, three and a half hour sessions during the month of July at Friends Select School. This year we were also…

CSFP is delighted to announce that CSFP friend Jill Goldstone, Area Vice President at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., has joined our Board of Directors. Ms. Goldstone brings a wealth of leadership experience gained over her 25+ years in the Insurance industry to CSFP. CSFP is excited to work with Ms. Goldstone and grateful for…