Prep Zone

The Center recently received funding from Pennsylvania's 21st Century Community Learning Centers to fund a new high school initiative: Prep Zone.

To obtain funding, we went through the same rigorous research, program design, writing, and budgeting experiences that all 21st CCLC grantees share across the country. We are as grateful as other grantees to have this critical public support for serving high school students.

The Prep Zone encompasses five Philadelphia charter high schools. It applies research and experience to a new program design tailored specifically to high school students.

To promote engagement with positive activities after school and build 21st century skills, the Prep Zone Consortium of schools offers its students two choices:

1. Prep Zone Hub: An open-door drop-in center for academically based activities, test prep, college information, homework resources, reading and study skill-building.
2. Prep Zone Plus: Commitment to a set of individually-driven activities developed in consultation with a learning coach, and culminating in a portfolio and presentation of learning. Activities may include off-site jobs, childcare, music and sports, among others, or on-site, in-depth learning projects. If the portfolio and demonstration meet the established standard, schools grant credit for the work. Students may choose this option on a semester-by-semester basis.

As we collect data and results from the Prep Zone initiative, we will share them on this site.