Complete preparation
for college and workforce success
OUR PROGRAMS: HIGH SCHOOL
Take the next step of your journey toward exciting college and workforce experiences. With focused college and career advising, dual enrollment courses, summer programming and enrichment opportunities, Heights offers comprehensive high school services embedded in Philadelphia schools for year-round support.
Experience college and career advising, workforce exposure, and academic enrichment at one of our partner schools. Heights coordinators lead school-wide programming and deliver group and one-on-one advising to Heights’ cohorted students.
Join 24 fellow students for intensive advising and additional programming and enrichment opportunities. Participants meet privately with advisors as well as in groups for regular check-ins. Advising topics include:
- 10th grade: Pathways – career exposure, fit, and research
- 11th grade: Postsecondary pathways – pathway plan
- 12th grade: Postsecondary pathways – application, selection, and placement
Tap into FAFSA support, college trips, and career days. Participants benefit from preparation for the SAT and ACT.
Heights offers targeted, strategic academic enrichment opportunities to help build critical thinking and reasoning skills, strengthen writing abilities, and introduce students to the academic rigor and pace of college-level work.
- Dual enrollment: 9th – 12th graders have the opportunity to take college courses while in high school delivered in-person, virtual, and hybrid during the summer and academic years. Over 600 students have taken college classes with Heights’ partner colleges, including Arcadia University, La Salle University, Saint Joseph’s University, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, and West Chester University.
- Blended Learning Initiative: Learn to use Arduino-based robotics and coding, and apply advanced math and science concepts plus design thinking to complex problem solving. Offered alongside the University of Pennsylvania, these year-round college-level enrichment courses allow students to attain computer science certifications for a strong start in STEM fields. Spaces in the program are reserved for students from partner high schools.
- Inveniam: Get free educational programming in computer science. Launched alongside Penn Engineering, this first-of-its-kind STEM equity and innovation lab gives socioeconomically underserved students a pathway to the college program — and the technology careers that will define the 21st century.
- Robotics: Join a thriving program engaging students from the 6th to 12th grades. Designed to support Black, Latino, and female students in a field in which they’re commonly underrepresented, this program allows high school scholars to take their STEM work to the next level.
Through 1:1 counseling, résumé preparation, interview skills, job search strategies, and financial planning, Heights helps students create a roadmap to their career. We also connect students to industry-specific programs and internships in high school to build a pipeline to postsecondary jobs.
- Internships: 11th and 12th graders can join paid internship opportunities for greater career experience and exposure. More than 270 Heights participants are engaged in paid internships with partners including The Pennovation Center, Comcast, the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and Temple Health.
Our extensive high school summer program offerings provides students with the tools and opportunities to succeed in high school, college, and beyond.
Serves rising 9th graders
July 7th – Aug 1st
Monday-Friday: 9am-2pm
Temple University – Main Campus
This four week summer program is designed to empower students with academic enrichment and personal growth. The curriculum includes engaging classes in math, biology, and ELA. Students will embark on inspiring college tours and field trips.
Serves rising 12th graders
August 12th – August 15th
Temple University – Main Campus
This four-day interactive program serves 75 rising seniors. Students participate in college admission workshops and college essay writing workshops, led by college partners, volunteers, and College Essay Guy. Additionally, students write their personal statements and receive writing support beyond the four days. The program closes with a ceremony, which highlights a few student essays and a partner college fair.
This is a great way to help students get a head start on applying to colleges before they start senior year.
Serves rising 11th and 12th graders with a ≥ 2.8 GPA from a SDP Partner High School or Heights Enrichment Program
June 30th – August 8th
Temple University – Center City Campus
The following 6 Week Summer College Courses (3 Credits each) are offered free of cost. Students receive a stipend ($ pending)
HRM 1101: Leadership and Organizational Management SDP HS Equivalency: None
Course Description: This course prepares students to address the challenges of leading high performing organizations. Course topics include leadership, change management, decision-making, culture, team building, organizational structure and control, communication, social responsibility and sustainability, motivation, human resource management, and globalization.
Class Schedule TBD
FIN 0822: Investing for the Future (Financial Literacy) SDP HS Equivalency: None
Course Description: This class will teach you about seemingly complicated financial topics (stocks, retirement, big purchases, etc.) in a very comprehensible manner that will help you make informed financial decisions to ensure a secure financial future.
Class Schedule TBD
Application Deadlines
Apps Open: February
Apps Due: April
Selection: April-May
Orientation: June
All students MUST attend a general information session before applying.
Contact: Annie-Rose at adevaney@heights.org
Serves rising 11th and 12th graders with a ≥ 2.8 GPA from a SDP Partner High School or Heights Enrichment Program
June 30th – August 3rd
West Chester University – Philadelphia Center City Campus
The following 4 Week Summer College Courses (3 Credits each) are offered free of cost. Students receive a stipend ($ pending)
MAT 131: Precalculus SDP HS Equivalency: TBD
Course Description: Topics include polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. An emphasis is placed on understanding function properties and graphs without the use of technology.
MWF 10AM – 3PM, Class 10AM – 12PM, Lunch 12PM – 1PM, Study Hall 1PM – 3PM
Second Course with West Chester is TBD SDP HS Equivalency: TBD
Application Deadlines
Apps Open: February
Apps Due: April
Selection: April-May
Orientation: June
All students MUST attend a general information session before applying.
Contact: Annie-Rose at adevaney@heights.org
Serves rising 11th and 12th graders with no GPA requirement
July 7th – August 1st
Monday – Friday: 10AM – 4:30PM with breaks
Temple University – Center City Campus
This 4 Week Summer College Experience with residential option includes a 4 week, 3 credit dual enrollment course and 2 two week non-credit workshops.
Program Details: SDP HS Equivalency: None
Click here for link to program website
- Stipend Amount: ($ pending), Must apply with Annie-Rose for stipend
- Cost: $3,200 per student
- ~4 scholarships available, we recommend eligible students apply for Ellis Trust funding
- Must apply by priority deadline to be considered for scholarship
Application Deadlines
Apps Open: Now!!
Apps Due: Feb 14th (priority)
March 14th (regular)
Selection: March 1st (priority)
April 1st (regular)
Application includes:
- Transcript of all grades since 9th grade
- 500 word personal statement
- Recommendation from teacher/counselor
- Test scores from PSAT/SAT/ACT OR an academic paper they wrote this year
All students MUST attend a general information session before applying.
Contact: Annie-Rose at adevaney@heights.org
Serves rising 11th and 12th graders with ≥ 3.5 GPA
Summer Session 1: May 26th – July 2nd
Summer Session 2: July 3rd – August 8th
Monday – Friday: 10AM – 4:30PM with breaks
Temple University – Center City Campus
This 6 week (2 credit) online program is with high school students across the globe.
Click here for link to program website
Course Examples (subject to change)
- Business, Health Economics, Statistics, Data Science, etc.
- Stipend Amount: ($ pending), Must apply with Annie-Rose for stipend
- Cost: > $4,230 per course
- One free course/semester for SDP High School and Philadelphia Charter School students
- Waive the application fee with “Heights2025”
Application Deadlines
Apps Open: Now!!
Apps Due:
- Session 1: March 26th
- Session 2: April 30th
Selection:
- Session 1: April 16th
- Session 2: May 21st
Application includes:
- Transcript
- Recommendation from teacher/counselor
- 3 essay questions
All students MUST attend a general information session before applying.
Contact: Annie-Rose at adevaney@heights.org
Serves current 9th – 11th graders, with or without prior coding experience. (Students interested in continuing with our Heights AP Computer Science A or Dual-Enrollment CS 101 class next year, 2 days/week are highly encouraged to apply.)
July 1st – August 5th
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 3pm
University of Pennsylvania
This intensive Computer Science (Java) program offers Intro & Intermediate Java tracks to 100+, and is taught by college Computer Science majors. This program includes classes and coding projects, plus college and career panels & special events like lab tours. Based on a college-level UPenn curriculum, some class sections will have a math and/or physics component.
Priority Application Deadline: Feb. 25
Serves current 9th and 10th grade students
June 30th to August 11th
This Human Service industry course offers hands on experiential learning, site visits and field trips. The intended outcomes of the course include:
- Providing a strong foundation in interpersonal skills, empathy, and problem-solving.
- Gaining insight into social issues, develop communication and leadership abilities.
- Preparing for future roles in social work, counseling, community outreach and other Human Service careers.
- Understanding human behavior, ethics, and complexities of providing support to diverse populations.
Completion of thi summer program leads into upper level Human Service programming “Quality Care” course, and the “Change Agent” Workshop Series during the school year.
Lunch and transportation will be provided by Heights. Additionally, stipends will be provided to students (amount still pending).
Penn Engineering AEOP internship program
- What: Intern in a Penn Engineering research lab (multiple depts. available) with a lab mentor.
- Who: 11th graders interested in engineering research. Some labs require prior Coding skills.
- When: 7 weeks, TBD
- Earn: $4000+
- How to Apply: TBD
Wistar High School Program in Biomedical Research
- What: Biomedical science training & research progra
- Who: 10th-11th grade students age 16+ interested in medicine, biology, scientific research.
- When: July 7 – 31, Mon-Thurs, 9:00am-4:00pm
- Earn: $1500
- How to Apply: Complete Wistar application by March 18, including 2 recommendation letters.
CHOP – RISES Medical Research Internship
- What: Lab research internship program for 2 summers (starting the summer before 11th grade)
- Who: 10th graders (age 16 by July) with strong curiosity for lab research, medicine, who may not have many opportunities to develop these interests and skills
- When: June 30 – Aug 7, Mon-Thurs Earn: Stipend + funds for food
- How to Apply: Apply here between Feb. 17 & ~Mar. 10, including a rec. letter. (Optional Info Sessions Feb. 11-15.)
Penn Engineering Unite-SMP program
- What: Enrichment program with tracks in (a) Robotics or (b) Bioengineering.
- Who: 9th & 10th graders interested in robotics, computer or electrical engineering, or biomedical engineering
- When: July 7-Aug 1, Mon-Fri, 9:00-4:00 How to Apply: Apply Here by Feb. 14, select an ENGINEERING track
Note: Interested Students should also complete the Career Team’s Application Survey to ensure they’re on our radar for follow-ups, advocacy.
Law Justice and Mentorship Program (LJMP) is a pipeline initiative aimed toward connecting high school students of color, historically underrepresented in the legal profession, to critical pre-law opportunities and mentorship.
The program aims to increase high school students’ exposure to and enrollment in local law schools. Students in the program gain experience and a better understanding of what being in the legal studies profession and embarking on a career in law and legal advocacy entails.
Legal professionals, former educators, and law students lead classroom session every week at a local high school to guide discussions about current and meaningful legal issues and lead problem-solving workshops.
Students receive weekly mentorship from current Penn law school students.
In the paid summer internship, students apply knowledge from the school-year LJMP, gaining exposure to new tasks, information and personnel while on the job.
Guest visits by prominent leaders within the Philadelphia legal community, a trip to the Federal Courthouse and Penn Carey Law School, and participation in a Mock Trial.
Note: Only for students currently in the school-year program at Lincoln High School.
Our enrichment programs provide stipends for all academic and career exposure programs serving 8th to 12th graders.
Through the Ellis Trust, Philly-area high school girls gain tuition assistance, college prep programs, academic enrichment, and other meaningful support.
Abraham Lincoln High School
Carver Engineering and Science
Central High School
Constitution High School
Franklin Learning Center
George Washington High School
Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School
Kensington Creative and Performing Arts High School
Kensington Health Sciences Academy
Kensington High School
Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School
Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical Education High School
Northeast High School
Parkway Center City Middle College
Philadelphia High School for Girls
The Academies at Roxborough High School
W.B. Saul High School
William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs
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Enter a clearer pathway to high school selection with summer and weekend programs, tutoring, and advising.
Gain a college advisor and connections to greater resources — including career opportunities, stipends, and scholarships — at over 70 distinct institutions across the country.
Launch a life-sustaining career with a solid path to employment in a variety of industries, plus internships, mentoring, and other job opportunities.
Join Heights and see how far Philadelphia students can go.