El Centro de Estudiantes, one of Philadelphia’s first alternative high schools, was founded in 2009 to serve students who had previously disconnected from school. Vaux Big Picture High School — a groundbreaking partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers — was launched in 2017 as a neighborhood high school in the Sharswood community. At both schools, the BPP educational model incorporates robust Real World Learning opportunities, resiliency services, and post-secondary support.

We are committed to educational equity and accessibility and intentionally reject eligibility requirements tied to previous academic performance, standardized test scores, behavioral records, or school attendance.

All BPP students are paired with an Advisor (teacher) who matriculates with them through to graduation. Class sizes are kept small with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18:1. In addition to core classes, Advisories meet three times per week to engage in group reflection and discussion.

Students across all grade levels participate in Real World Learning activities two full days per week through our flagship RWL program. Over the course of the academic year, this includes workplace site visits, mock interviews, and shadow days, and culminates in two-day per week internships based on each student’s specific area of interest. Student progress is assessed through exhibitions of learning and self-designed projects. Learn more about our signature Real World Learning Program.

In conjunction with BPP’s RWL program, our Post-Secondary Counselors assist students in designing their post-secondary pathway by supporting them with college and/or career visioning and action planning. We are also currently offering internships with dual-enrollment opportunities with the Community College of Philadelphia and technical certifications.

Our five licensed Resilience Specialists help remediate barriers to success by providing students with comprehensive social-emotional, mental health, wellness, and basic needs support.

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