Americorps VISTA Philadelphia

For over 50 years, the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) mission has been to strengthen communities and alleviate poverty through volunteering and the mobilization of resources. In partnership with Laura H. Carnell Elementary School, Americorps and community stakeholders are committed to building a space where families feel welcomed and students are able to achieve academic success.

Located in one of the most diverse neighborhoods of Philadelphia, Carnell school serves nearly one thousand K-5 students every day. At least 16 different languages are spoken. The rich diversity we enjoy at Carnell grants the community a wealth of resources, though these resources are not always effectively utilized. The VISTA program is committed to maintaining ongoing dialogue with the community, to connect the resources provided by community partners and the school, and to ensure that we are accurately addressing and responding to both the strengths and challenges faced.

Carnell aims to be the leading project-based learning elementary school of choice for Philadelphia students. It is our goal for every student to achieve academic growth and engage in an inspiring, challenging, and personalized project-based learning environment that prepares students for success.

We do this through:

• A curriculum that makes standards come alive for students by connecting learning to real-world issues and needs.
• A quality team of dynamic leaders, teachers, students, and parents that embrace the power of student-engaged assessment practices to building student ownership of learning, focus students on reading standards-based learning targets, and drive student achievement.
• A school culture of respect, responsibility, courage, and kindness, where students and adults are committed to quality work and citizenship.