Philadelphia is looking for more ‘graduation coaches’

The city of Philadelphia is seeking a few hundred coaches to help students finish high school.

The Graduation Coach Campaign brought together 1,500 volunteers during its first year to tutor struggling students. Philadelphia Chief Education Officer Lori Shorr says it’s all part of the mayor’s goal cutting the high school dropout rate in half and doubling the number of students who startcollege.

“Graduation coaches are about people taking ownership of the fact that there is somebody in their lives that they can help be more successful in their educational attainment,” said Shorr. “Maybe it’s somebody that is in your church, somebody that works in your shop, maybe it’s your niece.”

Mayor Michael Nutter says almost anyone can help.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

“To be actively engaged in the life of a young person–there is no more important task, there is no more important challenge, there is no greater feeling than to know you’ve boosted a young person on to a great future,” said Nutter.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal