Helping students realize their college potential

More than 90% of the students we serve will be the first in their families to go to college. We help them recognize that they can be the trailblazers…that they are college material.

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Supporting students in reaching their STEM career aspirations

PEF’s McKinney Center for STEM Education provides STEM resources to students, teachers, schools, families, and employers.

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Partnering with schools

Every student should have the opportunity to attend a college prep school. Meeting the challenge, our expert team consults with schools to build college-going cultures.

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Bringing students’ college ambitions within reach

A college education is a worthwhile investment. We help students place a downpayment on their future by awarding more than $600,000 in scholarships a year.

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Ed Compact Series

PEF convenes an education speaker series throughout the year to facilitate dialogue from our most intractable education challenges. Our team curates and produces sessions that attract the region’s most respected education leaders.

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Latest News

General News

Ignite STEM Career Connected Learning

Posted: October 21, 2024

In October, PEF kicked off a new year of Ignite STEM, an initiative that serves students at our partner high...

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College & Careers, General News

A Week On The Job With Merck

Posted: September 25, 2024

This past summer, six students from two of PEF’s College Access Program (CAP) schools, Olney High School and Kensington Creative...

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General News, STEM

PSEC Announces 2024 STEM Equity Week October 26 - November 2

Posted: August 19, 2024

The Philadelphia STEM Equity Collective (PSEC) is excited to celebrate its 2nd Annual Philadelphia STEM Equity Week 2024 from October...

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For Students

PEF exists to help students achieve college and career success.

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For Teachers

PEF helps teachers develop skills and strategies that drive student success.

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For Schools

PEF supports schools in creating college-going cultures.

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Did you know?

Philadelphia is the nation’s poorest big city and ranks 92nd out of 100 US cities in college attainment.

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College graduates are 3.5 times less likely to live in poverty than those without a college degree.

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Job growth in STEM careers outpaced non-STEM jobs by 300%.

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