Friends of Penn Treaty School is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the
quality of student's educational and personal opportunities at Penn Treaty School, a 6-12 public school located in Fishtown, Philadelphia.
We are a network of volunteers, administrators, parents and students who have a common
goal of providing instruction, supplies, resources, and support to the school where the Philadelphia
public school system is only able to provide partial funding or no funding at all.
Our vision is for Penn Treaty School to be a shining example of what is possible when a community rallies
behind a school, its staff and students.
HIGH-IMPACT PROJECTS
GREEN ROOF RENOVATION
GOAL: $2,000,000
Being a city school has its advantages but one
disadvantage is the lack of accessible outdoor space. We aim to reopen the structurally unsound roof deck in order to create an outdoor learning environment.
GENERAL PRESERVATION
GOAL: $300,000
Penn Treaty School is housed in a gorgeous example of 1920's gothic revival architecture. There are many amazing details found thorough out the school that require specialized upkeep and are in need of repair.
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LIBRARY OVERHAUL
GOAL: $30,000
Without funds for a part time librarian, the school library has fallen behind standards. Our goal is to hire a part time librarian who can reorganize the books and help get new books and materials.
GYMNASIUM UPGRADES
GOAL: $50,000 RAISED: $15,000
The gymnasium currently provides the only
available spaces for physical education. With a focus on teaching students healthy lifestyle choices, the gymnasium and its equipment is in need of a serious upgrade in order to fully engage students.
OUR PARTNERS
WHYY YOUTH MEDIA LABS
THROUGH VIDEO AND MEDIA PRODUCTION, STUDENTS LEARN CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING AND SELF-EFFICACY.
EDUCATION WORKS
AN ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT THAT EMPHASIZES LEARNING, CREATIVITY AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT.
OUTWARD BOUND
PROVIDING MEANINGFUL, EXPERIENTIAL OUTDOOR EDUCATION FOR YOUTHS AND ADULTS.
CITY YEAR
EQUALITY VS. EQUITY
Equality is providing the same resources to all.
Equity is providing the same outcome.
Often times people will ignore equity for the more blanket approach of equality. At Friends of Penn Treaty, we recognize that the building and its population face different challenges than other schools and the general provisions of resources may not be enough to tackle its unique opportunities.
We feel it is the responsibility of a community to provide additional support to the school's specific needs and use the funds to fill the gaps and enhance the overall school experience where general funding does not. Part of our goal is to tailor the funding and experience to meet the needs of the students and staff in ways that go beyond traditional fundraising. We also aim to use a data-driven approach to identify these specific needs and measure their success and impact.
