ELEVATE IN ACTION | Expanding Access. Strengthening Schools. Investing in Impact.
In This Issue
Thousands of Families Explore Philadelphia School Options
See how the 2026 K–12 Philly School Fair helped families navigate their school options with greater confidence.
How Imhotep Turned Math Strategy Into Results
A coordinated approach to teaching and student support helped nearly quadruple math proficiency in one year.
Invest in Elevate 215—and Receive a PA Tax Credit
Learn how individuals and businesses can support our work while potentially receiving significant tax benefits.
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Families Explore Their School Options at the 2026 K–12 Philly School Fair
Thousands of Philadelphia families came together at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on September 19 for the 2026 K–12 Philly School Fair, connecting directly with schools and community organizations from across the city.
Throughout the day, families asked questions, compared options, and gathered information to help them navigate the school selection process. For Yvette Aponte and her son, that meant arriving unsure where to begin their high school search and leaving with five schools at the top of their list. Other families sought information about everything from academic programs and admissions to special education services and transportation.
Check out coverage of the School Fair on PHL17 and Philadelphia Tribune
Post-event feedback showed the impact:
- 97% of surveyed families said the Fair was a valuable use of their time.
- 93% were satisfied or very satisfied with the information they received about schools.
- 80% left with a high level of confidence in their ability to navigate school options.
Thank you to the families, schools, community organizations, volunteers, partners, and sponsors who helped make this year’s Fair possible.
Learn more about the impact of the 2026 School Fair —>
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What’s Working: How Imhotep Turned Math Strategy Into Results
At Imhotep Institute Charter High School, school leaders entered the 2025–26 school year with a clear challenge: How do we accelerate student progress in mathematics?
With support from Elevate 215’s $200,000 High School Beat the Odds Grant, Imhotep took a comprehensive approach to strengthening math instruction. The school added a full-time math and science instructional coach, established shared expectations for strong math teaching, introduced high-quality instructional materials, and used daily assessments to identify where students needed additional support.
The result: Math proficiency increased from 3.1% to 12% in one year—nearly quadrupling.
“Our progress in mathematics came from creating consistency for our teachers, providing students with additional opportunities to learn, and building a culture where we celebrated growth while continuing to push toward higher expectations.”
— Dr. Jury Segers, Principal, Imhotep Institute Charter High School
Imhotep’s progress demonstrates what’s possible when schools align strong instruction, teacher support, additional learning time, and consistent use of data around a shared goal.
Read the full story about Imhotep’s approach →
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Join Us: Invest in Elevate 215
“Your gift to Elevate 215 ensures every child in Philadelphia has access to an excellent education, and there’s more than one way to give.”
New for 2026, a federal tax deduction even if you don’t itemize.
Even if you take the standard deduction, you can now deduct up to $1,000 (single)/$2,000 (joint) for cash gifts to charities like Elevate 215.
Did you know that you can support Elevate 215 AND receive a significant state tax credit?
If you’re considering a gift of at least $1k, you can receive 90% back in PA tax credit with a two year commitment. Sign up with Friends of Education here and make a gift this Fall! Individuals and businesses qualify. Please reach out to our Chief Development Officer, Jacquie.Patterson@elevate215.org, with any questions. Head to our Ways to Give page for detailed information. Elevate 215 does not provide tax or legal advice: please consult your tax advisor.