Early College Charter School of Philadelphia

Early College Charter School of Philadelphia (ECPHL) is a new educational model for the city’s public school students and their families. An open-enrollment, early college program for middle and high school students, ECPHL works in tandem with college, credentialing and industry partners to offer students from across the city the opportunity to earn their high school diploma plus college credits up to an associate’s degree and/or career certifications – all at no cost to families. The ECPHL model is the first of its kind in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. It was designed according to evidence-based research that shows students who attend early college model schools have significantly higher rates of high school graduation, college enrollment, college degree attainment, and higher lifetime earning potential. Located in Center City near the Broad Street corridor, ECPHL will welcome its first students in Fall 2026 for its founding 6th and 9th grade classes. In subsequent years, ECPHL will serve more than 750 students in grades 6-12. Learn more at earlycollegephl.org.

Our mission is to offer an inspiring 6th-12th grade education by fostering students’ sense of belonging and purpose, and by empowering them with the competencies, connections, and credentials for fulfilling roles in high-demand industries, along with the tools to learn and thrive throughout their lives.

Our vision is to serve as a model for educational equity by combining an innovative and relevant program, strategic postsecondary and industry partnerships, and broad community investment to serve its students’ life pursuits and our city’s greatest needs.