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

College & Careers, General News

CAP Bartram Senior Matches with UPenn

Posted: January 22, 2025

In December, Bravo Mekonnen, a senior at Bartram High School who has been part of the College Access Program (CAP)...

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College & Careers, General News

Frankford & Olney CAP Students Visit Manor College

Posted: December 12, 2024

Earlier this fall, College Access Program (CAP) students from Frankford and Olney High Schools – over 50 combined juniors and...

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College & Careers, General News

Fall Spark Recap & Corporate Partner Highlight

Posted: December 9, 2024

This fall, Spark Philadelphia engaged 50 students from four area middle schools, Samuel Gompers Elementary, Middle Years Alternative, Henry C....

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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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