About Us

 

              

 

Our Mission

Founded in 1995, Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia is a six-year academic enrichment program that builds a path from middle school to college for low-income students from Philadelphia’s public schools. Breakthrough also inspires talented high school and college students to become educators and engaged citizens by giving them responsibility for teaching in the program.

 

Core Values

Breakthrough believes in the power of education to radically change young peoples’ lives. We believe the middle school years are the critical crossroads where students make choices that will dramatically affect their futures. We are passionate in our belief that every child deserves access to an excellent education and the encouragement to succeed.

 

Breakthrough celebrates excellence. The spirit of celebration is energetic, enthusiastic, and contagious. Young people, who would ordinarily downplay their interest in academics, discover that not only is it “cool to be smart,” but that learning is fun. And, aspiring professionals realize the many rewards of teaching and mentoring a group of bright and lively young people.

 

The Breakthrough Difference

Breakthrough is unique in many ways:

 

              • It intervenes early, recruiting students in the sixth grade – a critical time for students academically, socially and emotionally.

             

            • It makes a six-year commitment to helping students enroll in selective high schools, graduate from high school, and enter college.

             

            • It delivers challenging college-preparatory courses comparable to those taught in more affluent schools.

             

            • It operates on a 6:1 student teacher ratio, allowing a level of attention impossible in most educational settings.

             

            • It utilizes the “Students Teaching Students” model, which has consistently been featured as a Top Ten Internship by the Princeton Review.

             

            • It offers comprehensive training to talented high school and college students, who work under the mentorship of master teachers and provide all direct instruction to participating youth.

 

 

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