Propel Schools Foundation

Propel Schools is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to catalyze the transformation of public education so that all children have access to high performing public schools. Propel does not accept the premise that poverty or personal circumstance determine academic performance or life outcomes. We pursue our mission by opening and operating high performing schools of choice in underserved communities.

We believe that establishing a competitive dynamic in public education is the best way to provide the region's public schools with sustained incentives for the hard work of continuous self-improvement. Propel has become one of the largest, fastest-expanding set of charter schools in the state, with consistently high levels of student achievement among Pennsylvania public school districts serving high poverty areas. We are educating approximately 3,800 students in grades K-12; hundreds of families are on our waiting list.Propel Schools is committed to a holistic programming: in addition to providing an excellent public education, we seek to address other needs of our students from underserved communities. We hope to close the opportunity gap for them, in addition to the academic gap. Thus, the following priority needs for our children will require financial resources: 1. Afterschool-each Propel location has a safe, comprehensive afterschool program meeting students' academic and enrichment needs. 2. Beyond Propel-this initiative helps our students better prepare for, and persist in their post-secondary endeavors, and move into a more financially stable adulthood. 3. Propel Partners in Wellness-Propel is implementing a unique, school-based program to promote student mental health and wellness, and to enhance the classroom learning environment for all students. 4. Talent Pipeline-we seek to increase talent recruitment, preparation, development and retention efforts to ultimately benefit our students.