Please note that it is possible to work with more than one of CSSP’s Programs if that works best for your schedule. Also, all programs offer work-study and volunteer positions.
K-8 After-School Programs
This is our most popular partnership. Alongside Penn staff, Penn undergraduate and graduate students work as tutors and mentors for K-8 grade students in after-school programs in West Philadelphia. Penn students can participate by providing homework help, one-on-one literacy tutoring, or facilitating their own extra-curricular activities! Program hours are 3-6, Monday through Friday. Programs attend monthly field trips and also operate Freedom Schools during the summer.
High School Programming
High School programs take place at University City High School and Sayre High School. This is our fastest growing partnership with a lot of new exciting opportunities! Opportunities include (but are not limited to): individual subject tutoring, SAT & college access mentoring, extracurricular activities, and more. Penn students can also work within classrooms on a project related to their specific academic interests. Activities occur both during the school day and after-school hours.
K-8 School Day Tutoring
During the school day tutors are needed to enter classrooms and facilitate small group tutoring for math and reading, assist classroom teachers, and perform one-on-one tutoring sessions. This will take place within classrooms at Lea and Wilson elementary schools, sporadically from the hours of 9am-3pm. Students can sign up for a time slot whenever they are free during the day.
Recess Initiative
The Recess Initiative is an exciting new program devoted to promoting fun and fitness at the Lea and Wilson Schools in West Philadelphia. Co-sponsored by the Fox Leadership Program and the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, the Recess Initiative employs undergraduate students to work with GSE graduate students and school staff to promote a more pleasant lunchroom environment and encourage interactive play and fitness opportunities for children during recess. A time commitment of one day per week for volunteers and two days per week for recess-only work study students is required. Work-study, volunteer, and independent study options are available.
Penn Reading Initiative (School Day K-8)
The Penn Reading Initiative’s mission is to raise literacy levels in local West Philadelphia elementary schools through targeted tutoring. The fundamental concept of PRI is that the alphabet is a tool, not a puzzle. In a short series of training sessions, tutors learn rules and strategies that beginning readers can use to tackle new words and stories. Tutors work two or more times a week in one hour sessions using PRI’s specialized curriculum.
The Access Science Program works to improve science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in grades k-12 in West Philadelphia public schools. This program helps to reinforce STEM curriculum by encouraging hands-on activities, professional development, and classroom support. Through this dynamic program, mentors will have the opportunity to work with teachers and students to supplement science education from the elementary to high school level.