The Travelers Aid Family Services of Philadelphia Student Enrichment Academy

The Student Enrichment Academy is a structured, year-round children and youth development program that promotes the academic and social development of the school age children residing in TAFSP’s Family Residence and Community Housing programs. Created in 2000, the Academy provides a safe and familiar setting for the children in our residential programs. Homeless children have had many disruptions in their living arrangements and their schooling. They may have large gaps in their school attendance and as many as 25% are not attending school and fewer than 25% graduate from High School. Consequently, they are often far behind in the academic achievement and feel isolated and abandoned by the social and education institutions that would normally support them. The immediate goal of the Student Enrichment Academy is to assure that the children can and do attend school and then recapture their academic development. The long-term goal is for the children to develop a sense of confidence in their ability to learn and become self-sufficient as an adult. Please view the accompanying video of the Academy’s operation to better appreciate its objectives and achievements.

The Student Enrichment Academy is operated on the grounds of the Kirkbride Center and transportation to and from the Program is provided for all students. The Travelers Aid Academy bus transports the students home each day after attending the Academy. Participation averages 100 children each day. The students attend as many as 50 different elementary, middle, and high schools scattered throughout the city. There are 6 classrooms staffed by school teachers and aids that provide academic instruction, socialization skills development, and, structured recreational activities. The Academy services school aged children (kindergarten through and 12th grade). The After School segment takes place is Monday through Friday from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. During the after school program there is a focus on completing homework, language skills, math skills, and recreation. The full-day Summer Program services focus on academic enrichment and structured life enrichment and expansion activities. A unique feature of the Academy is the many activities that are arranged to expand the children’s sense of what life can include, such as, deep sea fishing and winter camping.