Our model cultivates school-wide culture through three key areas

PLUS CENTERS

PLUS Centers act as hubs of college, career, and academic resources previously unavailable to the student body. The Center offers a space where students can safely explore their interests and receive the support needed to achieve their present and post-secondary goals.

BELIEVE + ACT + INSPIRE

Emerging research has shown that an individual's mindset--the beliefs and perception of oneself in relation to learning--has substantial effects on school performance. Our team works to help students develop strong, positive mindsets about who they are and what they are capable of achieving.

FELLOWS INITIATIVE

Serving as daily advisors, tutors, and mentors, Fellows are at the foundation of everything we do. They supply under-resourced schools the human capital required to address the individualized post-secondary, academic, and social needs of the entire study body, every step of the way.

Building a meaningful and sustainable school culture requires change on a global scale. Our delivery model emphasizes the need to work collaboratively with administrations, teachers, and communities to reimagine schools and what is possible for their students.

PLUS CENTER

A symbol of college attainment, the PLUS Center is constructed within the walls of the partner school and functions as a central hub for all college readiness and access services for the entire student body.

SCHOOL SUPPORT

Every high school is unique. 12+ works with counselors, teachers, administrators, and student leaders in each partner school to understand and respond to their college readiness needs.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

From working with families to community groups, 12+ believes strong relationships with the neighborhoods of the partner school will encourage collective empowerment for college attainment for the students.

PARTNERSHIPS

With over 100 organizations promoting youth achievement in Philadelphia, 12+ collaborates with established nonprofits and universities to provide wrap-around services.

COLLEGE-GOING CULTURE

From the first day of freshman year to the moment diplomas are handed out on graduation day, we strive for a culture in which our students are immersed in a school environment that advocates and supports their postsecondary goals. When students are expected to attend college, they are more likely to make the connection between their current coursework and future success. This leads to fewer absences, higher grades, and ultimately, more students enrolling and obtaining postsecondary degrees.

COMPLETION

Getting into college is just the beginning. To help our students reach the finish line, we assist our partner schools in preparing them for the academic and social demands of a postsecondary environment. Once they get there, 12+ provides ancillary alumni services and continues to follow students' progress to support them every step of the way.

PLUS CENTERS

In each partner school, a dedicated PLUS Center serves as a symbol for postsecondary attainment.

PLUS Centers are more than a room. They highlight student achievements, disseminate information about the college application process, and connect students to their schools and each other.

Mission-based design encourages creativity, exploration of opportunities, and collaborative learning.

*This video was produced in 2013 for More than a Room, a 12+ Campaign for the creation of the Penn Treaty PLUS Center.

SERVICES – 1:1 ADVISING | ACADEMIC SUPPORT | WORKSHOPS | SPECIAL EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS

RAISE: Transition and Job Readiness Support

RAISE provides every incoming freshman with a vital connection to his or her school and a clear understanding of school procedures and expectations. RAISE outlines necessary behaviors, personal motivations, and skills necessary for success in high school. Sophomores gain additional hard and soft skills for interviews, jobs, and internship opportunities.

PLUS Leaders: Leadership Development

The PLUS Leaders Program equips students with leadership skills and mindsets to motivate their peers to commit to their educations. PLUS Leaders serve their student body through strengthening the sense of community within the school. They are ambassadors of a positive, college-going culture.

Flight: Comprehensive College Access

Flight guides juniors and seniors towards a successful postsecondary pathway. From researching schools and programs to enrolling in classes, students receive in-depth, individualized support through each step of the application process.

Ascend: Alumni Support

Ascend assists 12+ alumni with the transition into college and provides support along the way. Students are connected to resources and a peer network. A dedicated 12+ alumni coordinator encourages students to persist through their postsecondary pathways.

Through our evidence-based, innovative approach, we’ve helped improve the college enrollment rate at our partner schools from 13% to over 95% in just a few short years, a remarkable development that has allowed our schools to shed their images as chronically underperforming neighborhood schools. Even better, 65% of 12+ alumni remain on track to earn a post-secondary degree, in comparison to only 10% of Philadelphia School District students. When students witness their peers—who have come from similar backgrounds—successfully pursue a post-secondary education, they begin to see college as a tangible reality and develop a newfound respect for their present education. As a result, attendance and graduation rates have also improved, grade point averages have increased, and students have stated a greater sense of belonging within their respective schools. All of these components have steadily cultivated a positive culture that builds upon itself every year, and grows in its influence and impact towards students.

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

ALFREULIS | Kensington Health Sciences Academy
Senior, Class of 2020

"I'm coming from the Dominican Republic, and it was not easy for me coming from a new country, meeting new people, it was hard...but I felt more comfortable when I was in here (the PLUS Center). Especially seniors, we need 12+; 12+ helped us to get into college even applying for financial aid--I really appreciate it. They really help us with everything we need; it really feels like home in here. I like to communicate with them, Ms. Shay, especially. Anytime I have a problem, I know that I can talk to them and they will always support me."

KESHA | Penn Treaty School
Senior, Class of 2020

"I already feel like I've known 12+ for so long. You can speak to them like they're your friends, but they will also be on you to make sure you do what you need to do. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have been able to submit my Penn State application by the deadline. I texted Maddy (12+ Site Director) on Thanksgiving and she responded right back to help me. Who else would take the time to do that? I just appreciate them so much."

MONICA MERCADO | Kensington Health Sciences Academy
College Choice: Millersville University

"College is important to me because it's like my way out of this neighborhood and the same cycles as my cousins who didn't finish school...or had run-ins with the law. I don't want to be like that...I want to go to college and do something..."

"When I first started to apply to college, I was like, I don't think I am going to get into any college"

"I am the first in my family to get into college"

"My favorite thing about 12+ is that it was like a support system that we all needed."