Frequently Asked Questions
Mission Project Forward Leap (PFL) is committed to closing the gaps of academic achievement by providing challenging and equal educational opportunities to students whose (achievement of) academic potential is put at serious risk by socio-economic disadvantages, and by serving as a catalyst for raising achievement standards in their schools.What is Project Forward Leap? Project Forward Leap (PFL) is an intense, multi-year academic and social enrichment experience for middle school children who have demonstrated academic promise, yet are at risk of not reaching their potential because of socio-economic challenges. PFL also strives to positively impact the public schools from which the students are drawn, by acting as a catalyst for higher achievement and pro-actively fostering teaching excellence.
How Does Project Forward Leap Work? Students start the program in the summer after fifth grade. They attend academically rigorous residential institutes held on the campus of Messiah College (sixth grade), Millersville University (seventh and ninth grades), and Bryn Mawr College (eighth grade). Students live on campus for a total of sixteen weeks and are enrolled in an inquiry problem based learning curriculum incorporating grade content, core classes in math, two sciences, English, computer workshop, Latin and PRIDE a leadership and social skills development program. During each of the following three school years, students participate in a year-round local Saturday Academy. An expanded High School Program will begin with the 2010 summer residential program. The expansion builds on the educational achievements of participants and further enhances their academic and personal growth.
Why is Project Forward Leap Important? Research has demonstrated that the academic gaps between “at-risk” children and their more advantaged peers begins to widen in fifth grade...just when PFL Saturday Academy in! Beginning in fifth grade, PFL provides four years of academically rigorous residential programs on a variety of campuses making college a tangible goal for them and their parents. PFL supports students through the next three years of high school with an individual career plan, mentoring, and college preparation workshops so they successfully graduate high school. In 2009 95% graduated high school with 85% continuing to a college-level education - often the first in their family to do so.
How Does the Program Help the Students? All PFL courses start with one major premise: to create and maintain an intellectual environment that develops a culture of excellence where students who will be independent thinkers readily able to compete with their peers from advantaged backgrounds. Through the core academic courses and supplemental enrichment classes including computers, nutrition, and PRIDE (Personal-growth, Risk-taking, Interpersonal Skills, Decision-making and Empowerment), students are challenged to meet high expectations and actively participate in their own education.
Why Does PFL Ask for Parent Participation? Extensive empirical research shows that parent/guardian involvement is integral to the sustained achievement of children. Parent/guardians are required annually to give 50 hours of community service which can include educational workshops provided by PFL, in literacy, computers, financial empowerment, and parenting strategies and service in their local school or community.
Who are the Students? PFL operates in eight school districts in Central and South Eastern Pennsylvania - Carlisle, Chester, Columbia, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Steelton-Highspire and Susquenita - serving approximately 400 middle school students and 330 high school students per year. Ninety percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Entering students must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher, a teacher and a counselor recommendation and participate with their parent/guardian in an interview.
Who are the Faculty? Teachers are recruited locally and nationally. Over 60% return each year because of the fulfilment they receive from their summer teaching experience. Most are drawn from the K-12 schools in the districts in which PFL operates. All teachers complete in-service workshops and a week-long training session prior to the summer residential institutes which provide them with Act 48 credit. During the summer, teachers are coached and mentored by a full-time Master Teacher on each campus. Staff:student ratios are kept low 1:8 for both residential and teaching staff.
What Makes PFL Different from Other Enrichment Programs? What differentiates PFL from other education intervention programs is that PFL PFL (1) reaches out to children in the fifth grade before they begin a downward spiral; (2) provides services to them throughout each year of participation until they graduate from high school; (3) prioritizes the teaching of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) presented earlier and at more advanced academic levels than inner city public schools; (4) incorporates character building strategies into programing to address the emotional and behavioral needs of students; (5) encourages students to remain in their home schools, but works with participating school districts to help them raise educational standards; and (6) requires the active involvement and support of parents.
How Do I Know PFL Works? Students must maintain a 3.0 average during the school year and attend at least ten Saturday Academy sessions. Rosenblum and Brigham Associates, an independent firm of education consultants, reported in 2002, and again in 2005 that more than 92% of PFL students graduated from high school and over 85% went on to a college level program.
What are Project Forward Leap’s Future Plans? With additional funding, PFL will expand to include more students and schools from existing communities and take this replicabale model to new cities and districts across the state and nation.
How is PFL Funded? PFL is funded privately through individuals (69%), foundations (14%), government (13%) and corporations (4%) - 2006 audited data. Every student entering the program is funded to high school graduation. The annual budget for 2010 is 2.4 million. PFL is very fiscally responsible with funding it receives; 91 cents of every dollar is used to help students reach their academic goals.
How Can I Help? Every student is funded to completion in the seven-year program so continued support is always needed for existing students. As PFL expands, we need seed money for enhancing the program and replicating the model in new schools and districts and donations for general operating funds are always needed.
For additional information or to make a tax deductible contribution to Project Forward Leap please mail a check to the address below or contact:
Chavar Hollinger, Development Associate
Email: chollinger@projectforwardleap.org
Work: 215-568-2344
