Engaging Locally: Sayre High School and the University of Pennsylvania

Penn has a proud legacy of local engagement in the West Philadelphia area, serving as a major employer, a leader in health services and education, and a world-class University that weaves not just civic awareness, but also hands-on civic action, into its academic curriculum.

The Sayre High School in West Philadelphia is an example of Penn's commitment to engaging locally through the Penn Compact. At Sayre, located about 20 city blocks from Penn's campus, more than 85 percent of the students come from families the School District of Philadelphia considers economically disadvantaged.

In 1996, Penn established a partnership with Sayre, creating one of the first university-assisted community schools in the United States. As part of this initiative, Penn's Netter Center for Community Partnerships joined with school and community partners to open the Sayre Health Center in 2003. The Sayre Health Center is a federally qualified health center that treats patients regardless of their income or medical insurance status.

The School brings together high school, college, and graduate students in one setting. Other Penn programs at Sayre include nutrition and gardening, career and college preparation, science education, and internships at professional worksites.

Penn's model of university-assisted schools has not only developed and grown in Philadelphia, but has also been replicated across the United States. In 2009, Penn was named number-one among colleges and universities for its model partnership programs advancing teaching, research and learning at Penn while simultaneously improving the quality of learning and the quality of life in the community.

By working alongside others to benefit society, the Penn Compact reaffirms what Penn's founder Benjamin Franklin called "an inclination...to serve mankind, one's Country, Friends and Family."

Extended Interviews:
Coalition for Community Schools Forum Speeches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4QxLbHwqGU
Chaka Fattah's full speech at the Forum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9teMmMuChAw
Jill Bazelon - extended interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luisELZhIF0
Randy Gayman - extended interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQE55zB55Dw
Jennifer Hillman - extended interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JApHJWTWjzs

Category:

Education

Tags:

• University of Pennsylvania
• Pennsylvania
• upenn
• penn
• high school
• sayre
• philadelphia
• local

[ACTSATPrep]

Cool video.

[grunder20]

An informative video. My pleasure to watch it.

[lovelplants]

oh.. that's really great..

[makeiteasyable]

they need donation ^^

[katheryncruz24]

Amazing, thanks for sharing!

[thebigfootme]

interesting!

[BloodyRageNoMore]

INVEST IN SOME MUSIC/INSTRUMENTAS-BASED PROGRAMS AT SAYRE, PLEASE! ^ _ ^

(Seriously. I beg you.)

[BloodyRageNoMore]

@headbanger623

rofl

[2smart4losers]

I am a current student at Sayre (Junior) and just today I was at Penn for Cardiology classes. I really appreciate their involvement with our school. I met so many amazing people through the Penn programs I attend. Its just amazing.

[joytotheworld56]

I am 12 years old, and when I grow up, I WILL come to this school, and I Will graduate with a PhD, and I will become a Cardiologist, thank you for putting this up. :)