Our Impact
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Centro Nueva Creación serves elementary school students from the Fairhill neighborhood of Philadelphia and the William Cramp Elementary School, one of the highest poverty, lowest-performing schools in the city. Centro’s programs create a positive environment for at-risk children, providing hands-on activities that work to improve much needed academic achievement while increasing school attendance and engagement. Centro’s programs focus on arts and culture, but also use evidence-based best practices to boost academics and encourage healthy lifestyles and family engagement.
Cramp served 479 students in the 2019-2020 school year, all of whom were from low income families. Nearly 80 percent of these students were Hispanic and 22 percent were English language learners, as determined by the School District of Philadelphia. Based on The School District of Philadelphia’s School Progress Report, Cramp is categorized by performance as a “Watch” school (38 percent) – the second lowest tier in the system. This score is based on combined performance indicators in the area of student achievement, progress, and climate. |
"After attending Centro, my children are doing better in school. Centro has helped my children a lot! My daughter is doing better in math and my son is doing better in all subjects." |
In the 2018-2019 school year, only 20 percent of Cramp students achieve passing scores in English language arts Pennsylvania’s standardized test, the PSSA, and only 10 percent and 32 percent achieved passing scores in math and science, respectively.
The poor achievement at Cramp follows students through their academic careers if it is not addressed early on. Most Cramp students eventually matriculate to Thomas Edison High School which had only 58 percent of students graduate on time and only 14 percent of Edison students enroll in higher education. Rates of graduation and college matriculation throughout the School District of Philadelphia are lower for Hispanics students - Centro's primary population - than for Asian, Black, or White students. Participating in afterschool programs like Centro’s help students reach toward greater educational achievement.
The poor achievement at Cramp follows students through their academic careers if it is not addressed early on. Most Cramp students eventually matriculate to Thomas Edison High School which had only 58 percent of students graduate on time and only 14 percent of Edison students enroll in higher education. Rates of graduation and college matriculation throughout the School District of Philadelphia are lower for Hispanics students - Centro's primary population - than for Asian, Black, or White students. Participating in afterschool programs like Centro’s help students reach toward greater educational achievement.
Research shows that attendance at after school programs is linked to improved school attendance, improved test scores and grades, increased engagement in learning, and increased graduation rates. Attendance in after school programs is also linked to decreased participation in criminal activities and drug use initiation. Out-of-School Time (OST) has been cited as an ideal setting for learning because it offers an alternative learning space with access to different resources than students receive during the school day. After school programs offer an effective way to expose underrepresented youth to alternative learning experiences.
"Centro has helped my child a lot! I’m delighted with this program! My daughter is doing so well in school!"
- B., Centro parent
- B., Centro parent
"All my three children have improved in their reading levels. The kids always have something good to say about all the activities they do. They learn a lot about their culture. The classroom teachers go above and beyond with everything."
- V., Centro parent
- V., Centro parent
"Centro is a super-program. My daughter and my son have developed their skills in math and reading. My daughter is interacting more with other kids, she is more sociable." - Y., Centro parent