Penn-Alexander School wins national honor

One of the University's most visible attempts to reach out to the West Philadelphia community was acknowledged nationally this fall.

The Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander University of Pennsylvania Partnership School -- commonly known as the Penn-Alexander School -- was awarded placement in the "Schools as Centers of Community Honors Society" by an Ohio-based nonprofit called the KnowledgeWorks Foundation. The foundation focuses on educational philanthropy and has assets of over $200 million.

Along with 14 other public schools from across the country, Penn-Alexander was picked from 50 applicants for exemplifying a school that "welcome[s] community use and benefit[s] from community resources."

No money was granted with the award. Honor Society members were invited to the September KnowledgeWorks annual conference in Columbus, Ohio, to present their schools' achievements. The major windfall is in just the publicity and recognition that comes with the award.

The winner of the national search was the Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary School in St. Paul, Minn., which received a $5,000 grant. That school incorporates a YMCA as the school gym and a health clinic for uninsured community members, among other innovations. All this in a neighborhood where 90 percent of the children qualify for free or reduced lunch.

KnowledgeWorks officials who worked on the "Schools as Centers of Community" award say what they liked about the Penn-Alexander School was the high-level commitment from a private university.

"The thing that attracted us to the school is its unique partnership with the University of Pennsylvania," Award Coordinator Vicky Robinson said. "That was not seen in any of the other schools."

Robinson cited the University's commitment to raising $1,000 for every student, as well as its willingness to work with the school officials to shape curriculum, as notable aspects of the partnership.

Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Education Nancy Streim says this award is a "perfect fit" for Penn-Alexander because of its groundbreaking work in developing a community partnership.

For one, the school grounds were designed so that the community could have access to the facility beyond the school day. The library, art room, music room and gym are all available during evenings and weekends for residents in the neighborhood.

Also, Penn helped create a community school that holds classes on evenings and weekends at Penn-Alexander. Last year's pilot school involved 1,100 participants from West Philadelphia and offered programs ranging from arts and crafts and cardio pilates, to drama workshops and tax planning.

KnowledgeWorks is planning on giving these awards annually. Streim says, however, that Penn-Alexander will not apply again, because the school has already "achieved what we hoped to achieve, which was to be recognized."

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