Heights Philadelphia Impact Report, 2022-2023, Reaching New Heights

Posted by Heights Philadelphia on November 21, 2023

This past year was a monumental one. We merged two of Philadelphia’s strongest educational nonprofits – Philadelphia Futures and Steppingstone Scholars – and became Heights.

During our first year as Heights, we served more than 3,000 students from middle school to college with staff embedded in 23 schools across the School District of Philadelphia. At our first Graduation Celebration in June at Citizens Bank Park, more than 500 students from close to 100 schools were recognized for taking the next step from 8th grade, 12th grade, and college. We celebrated student achievements in school and on to the workforce.

This past year also presented opportunities and challenges. We responded swiftly to the affirmative action ruling with a very clear message to our students: “You matter, and you belong in institutions of higher education because of who you are, not in spite of.” We are working with our institutional partners to create a more equitable admissions process that is better for Heights students, which will make a process that is better for all students.

Throughout all of this, one thing is clear – our students and their communities matter, and they deserve a future driven by their achievements and hard work. Heights is here to support young people every step of the way and help guide them in one direction – forward and up.

This report encompasses the transformative impact of Heights’ programming and features stories of those at the core of our work, students and alumni. We also highlight partners who have been critical to our success, including Eagles’ Jason Kelce, corporate partners like Comcast and Hirtle Callaghan, and partners supporting our career pathways, including the Wistar Institute and the Black Doctor’s Consortium.

View our Impact Report.