Hope Partnership for Education is a middle school and adult education center established to serve the residents of Eastern North Philadelphia. Hope Partnership was founded by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and the Sisters of Mercy in 2002. It is based on a model of education that originated at Nativity Mission Center in New York City in 1971. This model consists of small class size, extended school day and year, and high school support following graduation from 8th grade, with an emphasis on providing quality education to under-resourced communities. Hope Partnership Middle School is licensed by the state of Pennsylvania and is a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
Our History
A Brief History of Hope Partnership
January 14, 2001
Meeting of representatives from founding communities to explore the possibility of establishing an independent middle school in North Philadelphia
September 2001- June 2002
Feasibility study funded by the Cassin Foundation affording the opportunity for collaboration with neighborhood residents and informing the direction of the education center
June 2002
Incorporation as a Non-Profit Organization and governing board established
2002-2004
After School Program established at 7th and Dauphin and infra-structure created
September 2004
First middle school class (grade 5) opened in rented space at RW Brown Community Center at 8th and Cecil B. Moore. Grades 6, 7, and 8 began in subsequent years
September 2005
Adult Education Program began
September 2008
Graduate Support Program established
June 2008
First graduating class of 8th grade students
May 2012
Hope Partnership celebrates its 10th Anniversary
June 2012
First class of Hope alumni graduate from high school
May 16, 2013
Hope Partnership moves into its own home at 2601 N. 11th St.
June 2017
First Hope alums graduate from college