First Philadelphia Charter School for Literacy
When Brianna’s parents got a call from First Philadelphia Charter School for Literacy in the middle of the school year about an open slot, they didn’t hesitate. They moved their child immediately. A bright and precocious second grader, Brianna lived in the Mantua section of Philadelphia, a neighborhood nicknamed "the Bottom." At her previous school, disruptions in the classroom were routine and her parents knew she was not being challenged academically. They put her on a wait list at First Philadelphia. Just three years later as a fifth grader at First Philadelphia, Brianna was excelling academically and socially. She served on the student council and participated in many extra curricular activities. Brianna’s pride in her school was obvious from her positive and encouraging demeanor.
Brianna is just one of the dozens of shinning examples Head of School Stacey Cruise Clark can tell you about. “Our goal is to be a caring school community of learners,” explains Stacey, “Part of which is to provide a safe and vibrant learning environment.”
First Philadelphia’s state-of-the-art facility was designed with that vision in mind. Financed by TRF, it is a child-centered place that encourages learning, offering many amenities that give students the chance to experience the arts, world languages, physical education, author visits and more. Opened in the fall of 2004, the new facility also gave the school the opportunity to combine its three former campuses under one roof, allowing over 700 children and staff to work and learn together. Currently offering grades K through 5, First Philadelphia has plans to expand up through 8th grade and offer evening programs to the community.
First Philadelphia is among the more than 30 charter schools TRF has financed since its inception. In addition to financing this new facility, TRF also played a critical role in the school’s beginning. When First Philadelphia received its charter approval in the summer of 2002, it had just six short weeks before the school year began. TRF provided the school with a short-term loan to cover its startup costs, enabling the school to open on time.
Today First Philadelphia is a center for learning and fun for the residents of lower Frankford and attracts students from across the city. It is flourishing academically and citywide assessments show remarkable improvements annually. Board Chair Jerry Santilli shared that "our ability to provide these educational opportunities for the children of Philadelphia is, in large part, the result of the leap of faith that The Reinvestment Fund took on our dream."
