Program Description
The Philadelphia Futures Sponsor-A-Scholar (SAS) High School Program builds long-term, working relationships with promising students attending Philadelphia’s neighborhood public high schools, beginning in the ninth grade. The SAS high school component provides the support students need to successfully complete high school, and to prepare for college and beyond. SAS provides students with one-on-one mentoring; financial incentives; and a year-round curriculum of academic skill building and enrichment, including after-school academic classes, tutoring, college preparation activities and cultural opportunities.
Recognition
SAS has been recognized in a variety of forums and has received a number of distinctive awards. The Program has been recognized with two presidential citations, and was featured in the national publication, Contemporary Issues in Mentoring as one of four models for mentoring in the 21st century. The Pennsylvania Association of College Admissions Counselors praised Philadelphia Futures as a shining example of the “collaborative spirit needed to foster a commitment to educational equity and access for all,” and most recently, the organization and its Executive Director, Joan C. Mazzotti, were honored with the prestigious Manhattan Institute Award for Social Entrepreneurship for finding innovative, private solutions for America’s most pressing social problems.
Performance
Since its inception in 1990, SAS has touched the lives of hundreds of students, including 275 program alumni who have earned their associate’s or bachelor’s degrees. An independent evaluation of SAS conducted by Mathematica Policy Research concluded that “SAS is making a positive and significant impact on college attendance.” Ninety-seven percent (97%) of SAS students have enrolled in college immediately after high school graduation, and 84% have returned for their second year of college. Today, there are 200 students participating in the high school component of the program, and approximately 200185 first-generation college students attending more than 40 colleges and universities throughout the United States. Nearly $5 million has been raised for the direct benefit of SAS students.
Why SAS Works
The success of SAS is largely due to its proven multi-pronged approach, providing students with:
Mentors – An SAS mentor is a caring adult who offers guidance and support to a college-bound high school student. Most often, mentors are matched with students in the ninth grade and are asked to support their student through the critical first year of college. Many mentors also choose to serve as the financial sponsors for their student, but sponsorship is not required.
Funds for College-Related Expenses – Sponsors contribute $7,500 to sponsor an SAS student. Of that amount, $6,000 is paid directly to the student to help fund the student’s college-related expenses, and $1,500 is utilized by Philadelphia Futures to help cover that student’s SAS high school program activities. Sponsorship funds are paid in annual installments or in one payment. Sponsors who do not choose to mentor are updated annually on the progress of their students.
Program Services – Philadelphia Futures provides students with a year-round curriculum of academic skill building and enrichment, tutoring, and college preparation activities including SAT prep, college trips and college guidance. Our staff maintains regular contact with students, mentors and parents through telephone calls, e-mails, meetings and newsletters. Communications and program support continue for collegians. The organization also provides special programming for parents and mentors to help them in supporting SAS students. An average of 350 hours of programming is offered each year.
