Our History

1995: THE BIG PICTURE MODEL IS BORN

The Big Picture model is the result of an educational reform movement that began in Rhode Island in 1995 under the leadership of two daring educators, Elliot Washor and Dennis Littky. Washor and Littky were fed up with the continued failure of the commonly utilized test-driven education model. Serendipitously, the Commissioner of Education in Rhode Island was feeling similar frustrations about the perpetual cycle of low achievement in its public schools. Upon learning that educational pioneers were brewing up a new model right in their own backyard, the State decided to take a gamble on an alternative method of schooling, granting the founders of the Big Picture model with an entire State Charter system of schools. Most of the youth targeted for the first of these 6 new high schools entered with a previous history of low academic achievement, poor behavior and a troubled home-life. The results were unprecedented. The youth became engaged and excited about school. Retention rates soared. The first class graduated in 2000 with a 96% graduation rate. 98% of the graduates were admitted to postsecondary institutions. They received $500,000 in scholarship funds to help fund their college educations. There was no question: the Big Picture model was working.

2005: MET EAST HIGH SCHOOL BECOMES FIRST BIG PICTURE SCHOOL IN CAMDEN

In 2005, Camden City Schools, eager to find a model that resonates with its student body, approached Big Picture to overhaul its structure and try out a new approach. David Bromley (the future founding director of Big Picture Philadelphia) was the lead support, coaching the Principal and staff as they developed MetEast High School into a top-performing, vibrant learning institution. In 2009, 100% of the inaugural class graduated and was accepted into college. MetEast students have performed better than the NJ state average on the state standardized exam.

2008: BIG PICTURE PHILADELPHIA IS BORN

After witnessing the success in Camden and eager to contribute to his home-town of Philadelphia, David Bromley decided it was time to start Big Picture Philadelphia. Confronted by a tremendous need for school reform and sky-rocketing drop-out rates in the city, Bromley received overwhelming support from Big Picture Learning to head up a local, independent non-profit organization: Big Picture Philadelphia. Thus, in 2008, Big Picture Philadelphia was incorporated as a 501©3. Since opening in 2009, BPP has successfully supported a handful of schools and programs implementing the Big Picture model, including: E3 Center at Girard, Congreso’s Proyecto Renacer (Welfare-to-Work Career Readiness Program) and the Learning to Work Program at Overbrook High School with Philadelphia Academies. Student success through each of these programs was witnessed in higher than average attendance rates, math and literacy gains by 1 to 1.5 grade levels, over half of the students involved in internship programs, and tremendous parental involvement when before there had been little or no involvement. BPP currently runs an alternative school called El Centro de Estudiantes in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

2011: OUR FIGHT TO KEEP EL CENTRO ALIVE DESPITE BUDGET CUTS

Several months before the 2011-2012 academic year, the School District of Philadelphia informed the public that it was in a dire budget crisis and would have to make critical cuts to the public school system. One of the line items on the chopping block was alternative schools. El Centro is one of seven alternative schools serving youth who need an option with more support and flexibility than conventional schools. By the time the announcement was made, we knew that El Centro had become a beacon of hope for its students. Students and parents alike played a crucial role in saving the school when initial budget cuts threatened closure. Fifty El Centro students and parents testified before the city council, many marched in the streets, and two El Centro students, interested in journalism, created videos expressing their gratitude for El Centro and the impact El Centro has had in their lives. In the end, the School District made substantial cuts to the school's budget, but we were able to remain open with fewer students. With continuing financial distress being a central concern of the Philadelphia School District, we remain in constant dialogue with the SDP and are doing everything in our capacity to continue offering students a hands-on, student-centered education.