Get Connected

Afterschool and summer programs are a great way to develop skills that will help you succeed in college, explore your interests and connect with caring adults who will support you throughout high school and the college application process. Some of the programs below require applications, others are open to all students.

Summer  programs

 

Summer programs are a great way to stay on track for college! There are many summer opportunities around the city that offer the chance to earn money, learn something new, or participate in arts and cultural activities.

Click here for more information on summer programs for students of all ages.

You can also download this guide to summer programs on local college campuses. These types of programs are a fun way to prepare for college and get a feel for what it is like to be on a campus.

The Summer Mentorship Program at Penn offers 10th and 11th graders who attend a Philadelphia public or charter school the opportunity to spend four weeks at the University of Pennsylvania learning about dental medicine, engineering, law, medicine, or nursing. Students will earn a stipend after completing the program. Applications are due April 15th. Call 215-746-8242 for more information.

Penn Summer Academies offers intensive four week long classes for high school students. Three subject areas are available: biomedical research, experimental physics, and English for non-native speakers. Scholarships are available.

Afterschool Programs and Activities

 

Listed below are some of the many afterschool programs available to students in Philadelphia. For a complete list of afterschool programs located at schools, libraries and recreations centers across Philadelphia, click here, or, call 215-545-2727.

ASPIRA PA empowers the community through advocacy and education and leadership development for youth. They offer programs in career readiness, talent search, and leadership development for high school students.  Click here for a list of schools with ASPIRA programs. 215-455-1300, info@aspirapa.org

Boys and Girls Clubs offer leadership development, career and college planning, and volunteer opportunities to high school students. Clubs are located in neighborhoods across the city. 215-735-8818, reception@bgcphila.org

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia  is open to low income students in sixth grade through high school. It offers intensive summer and year round academic programs, mentoring and college prep programs designed to prepare students for college. Students must apply to this program to participate. 215-951-2398

Concerned Black Men, Inc. (Philadelphia Chapter) offers services to boys and girls including mentoring, SAT prep, links to scholarships and tours of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 215-276-2260

Congreso de Latinos Unidos offers afterschool and evening programs for high school students that focus on leadership development, community service, academic enrichment, and college and career readiness. 215-763-8870

Educational Advancement Alliance provides afterschool and Saturday programs focused on academic enrichment and college preparation. They also offer social opportunities such as college visits and peer support groups. Students must apply to this program to participate. 215-472-2500

Ellis Trust gives grants to girls in grades 9 – 12 from single parent families in need of aid to complete their high school education. Grant money can be used for tuition, tutoring, college visits, college application and entrance test fees, college courses, summer programs, visual and performing arts lessons, etc. Students must apply to this program to participate. 215-735-4483

Franklin Institute PACTS (Partnership for Achieving Careers in Technology and Science) is a year round after school youth leadership program with an emphasis on science and technology. Mentoring, career development and leadership skills are provided. Summer programs are also available. Middle and high school students must apply to this program to participate.

Mighty Writers offers free afterschool homework help, weekend activities, creative writing classes on everything from poetry to sports writing, and SAT prep classes.  Students in the afterschool program are required to attend at least 6 hours per week. 267-239-0899, hello@mightywriters.org

Philadelphia Center for Arts and Technology offers free classes to students ages 14-24 on topics that bring together technology and the arts. The classes teach career skills and also provide students with leadership development and mentorship. Students must apply to this program to participate. 267-297-6231

Philadelphia Futures prepares students from low-income families who attend Philadelphia’s neighborhood schools to enter and succeed in college. They provide mentoring, academic enrichment, college guidance and financial incentives starting in 9th grade through the end of college. Students must apply to this program to participate. 215-790-1665

Police Athletic League (PAL) groups keep boys and girls active, interested and busy. They provide supervised recreational and education programs to develop leadership skills and build good citizens. They offer sports, leadership and educational programs at their centers around Philadelphia. 215-291-9000

Spells Writing Lab offers free afterschool tutoring and special creative writing workshops on the weekends. 267-670-0869, info@phillyspells.org

Summer Search is a leadership Development Program that offers weekly mentoring, college prep assistance and summer enrichment programs and trips. Students must apply to this program to participate. 215-399-4906

The Urban League of Philadelphia offers leadership development opportunities, environmental education programs and scholarships for African-American youth. Students must apply to this program to participate. 215-985-3220

Upward Bound programs are designed to prepare students for four-year colleges and are offered to low-income students who are the first generation of their family to attend college. Programs are run through different colleges and universities in the city. Some programs are open to any low-income individual, while others serve only specific high schools or communities. Students must apply to this program to participate.

 

White-Williams Scholars awards monthly stipends to high-achieving, low-income Philadelphia high school students who maintain good grades. They also provide college counseling, college trips and peer support groups. Students must apply to this program to participate. 215-735-4480

WorkReady offers paid internships and summer jobs for high school students, as well as career mentoring programs and job shadowing opportunities. Students must apply to this program to participate. 267-502-3742

The YMCA Achievers Program provides career mentoring and academic enrichment for teens in 7th – 12 grade. 215-235-6550