Education & Community Relations

West Oak Lane Charter School

Dates of operation: Opened in September 1998

Description: Quality education is a necessity in any vibrant community. For this reason, OARC established the West Oak Lane Charter School (WOLCS) to address the lack of quality education options for West Oak Lane residents. The education experience at WOLCS features a longer school day and longer school year, no more than 26 students per class, full-day kindergarten, innovative and research proven curriculum, emphasizing hands-on-learning. OARC works closely with WOLCS administration to ensure that the school operates in close cooperation with the families and the community that it is intended to benefit.

Accomplishments:

  1. After approval by the Philadelphia Board of Education in February 1998, WOLCS opened in September 1998 following renovations by OARC that involved conversion of a vacant supermarket to a facility suitable for learning.
  2. OARC completed a major modular construction that enabled the school to extend the education provided to children from Kindergarten to 8th grade.
  3. Assisted in the implementation of an E-Rate Grant allocated for technology upgrading in the school.
  4. OARC had a state-of-the-art playground installed on the grounds of the school at the end of summer 2006 allowing for safe playtime during recesses.

Partners: WOLCS Administration, WOLCS Board of Directors

Hope Charter School

Dates of operation: Opened in September 2002

Description: OARC owns the property at 2116 E. Haines Street, previously the Penn Emblem Manufacturing Company, that at one time housed a 68,500 square foot job training facility. Today, following major renovations completed, the facility houses the HOPE Charter School, a school managed by the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) since 2002 for approximately 400 at-risk high school students. OARC worked closely with JJC in developing a curriculum that would serve to prepare students for the workforce.

Partners: Rowan Development, Inc.; Juvenile Justice Center; Hope Charter School Administration

NIA Center

Dates of operation: Monday - Friday

Description: The NIA Center, named for the fifth principle of Kwaanza that means purpose, was a turnkey project developed by the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition on behalf of OARC. The 14,000 square foot building is occupied on the first and second level by a Comprehensive Day Care Center and a Head Start Program run by the School District of Philadelphia. The programs ensure that children in the community have a strong foundation in preparation for learning in the K-12 school environment.

Partners: Rowan Development, Inc.