About CORE Philly

CORE Philly is a nonprofit initiative designed to unite the Philadelphia community around the goal of ensuring that all our children have access to college. This is important not only for high school students, but for the city and region as a whole. Easing the pathway from high school to college will help make a Philadelphia more competitive and desirable place to live, work and raise a family.

CORE Philly was formed in September 2003 under the leadership of Congressman Chaka Fattah in collaboration with Philadelphia Mayor John Street, School District CEO Paul Vallas and the unanimous support of both the Philadelphia City Council and Philadelphia School Reform Commission. To fund the initiative, the City of Philadelphia committed $4 million each year for the first four years, and the School District committed $6 million per year.

Our premier program, CORE Philly Scholarship, is the first if its kind in the nation to offer all high school seniors - whether from the public, private, charter or parochial systems - in Philadelphia a unique opportunity to attend select Pennsylvania colleges and universities. In 2004, CORE Philly Scholarships supported 2,000 Philadelphia students through their first year of college. Of this original group of CORE Philly Scholars, an impressive 93% remain enrolled in college.

As important as the money is, CORE Philly is more than a scholarship program. Our innovative CORE Philly e-Reminders alert students of important dates and help keep them on track, from the beginning of high school through college acceptance. In the works are mentoring programs, opportunities to volunteer and a Web-based informational clearinghouse for high school students considering college and for those helping students achieve their dreams.

CORE Philly is a vehicle to focus the efforts of our entire community on the educational needs of our high school students, and provide them with the support and resources they need to take that all important next step to college. With CORE Philly, we give some of our youngest residents the edge they need to achieve their dreams, thereby sowing the next generation of community leaders.

Public funds currently committed to operate CORE Philly run out after 2008. After this, our continued operation will rely solely upon community support—private foundations, corporations, and concerned residents. Find out how you can help ensure all Philadelphia’s young people have equal access to a promising future.