Our Impact

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 538 students in the 2015-2016 school year, 100% of which were low income families and 23% of these students were considered English language learners, as determined by the School District of Philadelphia.[1] 

​​​Based on The School District of Philadelphia’s School Progress Report, Cramp is categorized by performance as a “Watch” school (28%) – the second lowest tier in the system.  This score is based on combined performance indicators in the area of student achievement, progress, and climate. Based on PSSA scores, Cramp’s student achievement placed 57th of 59 Philadelphia schools. Philadelphia's overall school achievement is poor compared to the rest of the state and nation, making Cramp achievement particularly low on even a nationwide scale.[2]

"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."
​- W., Centro parent

In 2015, 12.5% of Cramp 5th graders achieve passing reading scores on Pennsylvania’s standardized tests, the PSSA, and only 4.5% achieved passing scores on the math PSSA.[1] ​
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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 46% of students graduate on time – the second worst graduation rate in the city, and only 28% of Edison students enroll in higher education. Rates of graduation throughout the School District of Philadelphia are lower for Hispanics students - Centro's primary population - than for asian, black, or white students.[3] Participating in afterschool programs like Centro’s help students reach toward greater educational achievement. 

Research shows that attendance at afterschool programs is linked to improved school attendance, improved test scores and grades, increased engagement in learning, and increased graduation rates. Attendance in afterschool programs is also linked to decreased participation in criminal activities and drug use initiation.[4]​ 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.  Afterschool programs offer an effective way to expose underrepresented youth to alternative learning experiences.  

​During the last fiscal year Centro provided students with more hours of programming per month and a higher retention rate (99%) than most agencies that receive the same funding from the Department of Human Services [Public Health Management Corporation, Mid-Year Provider Performance Report]. Centro has continued to meet and exceed requirements from DHS, and exemplifies an OST program focused on student engagement and success.
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"Centro has helped my child a lot! I’m delighted with this program! My daughter is doing so well in school!" ​​
​- 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

"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