Philadelphia City Council today honored the University of Pennsylvania among more than a dozen local universities and colleges with an official citation of City Council acknowledging their vital support and services to the School District of Philadelphia.

The University of Pennsylvania was recognized for partnering with the School District of Philadelphia as it “supports the Penn Alexander School and the Lea School via the Graduate School of Education to provide afterschool programs, behavioral and social supports and professional development. University of Pennsylvania also offers support for workforce development out of the Netter Center of Community Engagement [the Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships]; and offers college preparatory services to high school students.” 

The City Council also honored Penn and a number of peer institutions for “working to improve the quality of education through the School District of Philadelphia and by increasing overall academic opportunities for the greater community by making higher education more accessible for all Philadelphians.”

The resolution, introduced by Councilman Curtis Jones and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and sponsored by every member of Council, praised the significant role Penn and many of the region’s colleges, universities and academic institutions play in strengthening the public schools, stating that the, “Partnerships with institutions of higher education have helped numerous SDP students further their academic careers by pursuing higher education.”

Passed by City Council on Nov. 20, 2014, the resolution further cites the impact and value of this support as vital to supporting the academic careers of the district’s students.