As part of the Charles Bowser Partnership for School Innovation, Philadelphia Academies, Inc. (PAI) is working in partnership with PENCIL, NYC, to help develop strong partnerships between the private sector and Philadelphia public high schools. We are seeking business leaders to join the new PENCIL Partnership Program.
How It Works
PENCIL's Partnership Program strategically matches principals and business leaders based on the expressed needs of a school and the interest and expertise of a business partner. Individuals commit to work together for a minimum of one school year on a project, or multiple projects that will help the schools achieve their strategic goals. Those goals are centered around one of PENCIL’s three impact areas: developing strong leaders, building school capacity, and enhancing the learning experience of students.
Partnership projects, determined by school needs, might include: helping principals become more effective leaders; refining techniques for using technology in the classroom; and creating innovative, hands-on approaches for students to learn in new ways.
PAI provides ongoing support to every partnership, through a designated Partnership Coordinator as well as through workshops and access to a library of support materials. There is no cost to participate in PAI’s PENCIL's Partnership Program for either the business partner or the school.
How is this new?
One To One Match - For over 40 years, PAI has connected teachers and students with business organizations through internships, company tours, and speakers. The PENCIL Partnership Program creates a unique ONE TO ONE match between a school principal and a business leader.
The PENCIL Exchange – Through this web-based application, PENCIL offers customized access and information to business leaders and principals participating in its Partnership Program. The user-driven, searchable database of the organization’s hundreds of school-business partnerships enables partners to track and update their progress as well as to find each other, share ideas and best practices, and actively collaborate online.
The PENCIL Partnership Methodology
How does a business partner/team benefit from a partnership?
A school-based partnership enables business partners and teams to invest in the future of Philadelphia; provide an opportunity for employees to share skills and expertise to make a difference in student success; to receive recognition of company efforts in the community; and to become part of a local network focused on improving our city’s public education system one school at a time.
How does a school benefit from a partnership?
A principal has the opportunity to bring a wealth of resources into his/her school through involvement in a partnership including: access to new networks; access to a diverse set of skills and expertise; expanded opportunities for students; professional and leadership development for staff; and curriculum enhancement opportunities.
How does PAI support partnerships?
PAI assists partners in the development of an Action Plan, provides project ideas and partnership models, functions as a liaison and coordinator between partners, and offers ongoing technical assistance to maximize partnership efforts. How to get started? Business partners can begin the process of applying for a partnership by filling out our application online (click here). Once on the page, click the “Start a PENCIL Partnership” button, choose Philadelphia as your location and click the Business Partner Application button. Then hit Continue and follow the instructions.
Or, for more information on how our program works, contact Philadelphia Academies’ PENCIL Partnership Team at 215.546.6300 x112; or email bcp@academiesinc.org.
You may also go to PENCIL Partnership Program, NYC to see a full overview of the model – Click here for more details.