education change starts with choice
community
development we believe in strong urban communities
economic
development social entrepreneurship for the common good
600 N. Hartley St. • Ste. 170 • York, PA 17404
P: 717.845-4046 • F: 717.668.8832 info@3cordinc.com
3cordinc.com
Table of Contents About Us.................................................................................................................. 02 The 3Cord Philosophy.......................................................................................03, 04 Our Schools............................................................................................................. 05 Temple University Urban Education Program...................................................... 06 Management Services.......................................................................................... 07 Community Partnerships....................................................................................... 08 Urban Impact Community Fund........................................................................... 09 King Street Corridor............................................................................................... 09 Philanthropy............................................................................................................ 10 Economic Development........................................................................................ 10
P: 717.845.4046 • info@3cordinc.com
About Us 3Cord, Inc. began with a vision, based on a passionate belief, that change was needed. We wanted to revitalize our neighborhood, take back our city, and create real change and opportunity for York City youth. It is difficult, often impossible, to raise successful kids in a blighted community. Our three-corded approach of education management, community development and economic development works to rebuild the essential components of healthy community life—successful schools, safe public spaces, job opportunities and diversity. Just as a cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart, a community built around the healthy development of children and supportive families can combat even the most devastating conditions. From providing access to quality education and public arts to beautifying neighborhoods and offering opportunities for employment, 3 Cord strives to transform communities and provide safe passage for our kids from home, to school, to work and beyond. 3Cord, Inc. is committed to building strong and healthy urban communities that thrive, while fostering long-term well-being for its children, families and community stakeholders. We strive to bring the best of education management, combined with pioneering community and economic development efforts, to build sustainable urban communities for life.
We believe in strong, urban communities.
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The 3Cord Philosophy With an innovative approach, we have been able to rethink how to think about education. Using a student-centered outcomes mindset, we’re on a path to reinventing, reinvigorating and re-energizing our schools with a new choice. At 3Cord’s flagship school, New Hope Academy: • Our parent satisfaction rate is 98.68% • Student attendance is over 90% • 84% of 2011 graduates continued their education • Our 2011 graduation rate was 91% • We had 0 dropouts in 2011 Here’s how we do it:
Building Relationships At 3Cord schools, we believe relationship building is a key component to building a strong academic program. Our goal is to get to know our students and their families and understand what is happening in their daily lives. By understanding where our students are coming from every day, we can more effectively teach them and help them to succeed. It’s just another way we put kids first. Our community partnerships allow our students to be engaged outside of the classroom, while bringing a high level of access to resources and exposure to opportunities beyond traditional school environments. This community-inclusive approach builds stronger bonds locally and creates collaborative thinking.
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Structure At 3Cord schools, we believe that creating a safe physical and emotional environment is essential to creating a positive school culture. By eliminating fear of violence within our walls, students are able to concentrate on learning. Our schools are characterized by cooperation, collaboration, respect and shared responsibility. In classrooms and hallways, cafeterias and offices, 3Cord schools consistently operate as positive and inclusive learning communities. Our foundation for bringing about a positive school attitude that transcends race and street mentality is our daily character building program called Trenches, which is performed by all 3Cord students every morning.
Academic Rigor
Small Learning Environments
3Cord schools incorporate state-of-the-art technology with project-based learning, real world connections and a strong emphasis on college preparation. Our schools offer performing arts, science, mathematics and technology in a way that is hands-on and challenges students to reach higher. This rigorous academic program built on strong relationships and high standards creates a meaningful, positive learning experience.
At 3Cord schools, we put kids first with small class sizes that offer intimate, individualized attention. Small learning environments offer a more positive school climate, including safer schools, more active student engagement, fewer disciplinary infractions and less truancy. In our personalized learning environment where staff knows students on a first name basis, students have the opportunity to form meaningful relationships with both adults and peers, and to feel like part of a community.
How are we succeeding? At 3Cord, we know that children have the ability to do amazing things when given the right resources and support system.We are active participants in our students’ lives, even after the school bell rings. Our beyond-the-classroom thinking allows us to recruit passionate teachers and administrative staff that strive for something more important in life. And we hold them accountable to that standard every school year.
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Our Schools
459 West King Street • York, PA 17401 • 717.845.4046 New Hope Academy Charter School (NHACS) serves grades 5 through 12. The mission of New Hope Academy is to provide a small learning environment that will encourage a diverse population of students to reach for their full potential, excel in the academic arena, gain leadership and character building skills and become prepared to successfully engage in the global community.
200 East Princess Street • York, PA 17402 • 717.845.4046 Challenge Academy is an alternative education school for students in grades 6 through 12. A service-centered program, Challenge Academy contracts with school districts in York County to provide academic, therapeutic and transition services. The key to our success has been strong parental involvement, coupled with intensive relationship building between students and staff.
200 East Princess Street • York, PA 17402 • 717.845.4046 Impact Academy’s educational program is geared towards the individual child. The school is licensed to accept students who are enrolled in regular classes and those in learning or emotional support programs. Upon admission, students are tested to determine strengths, weaknesses and possible gaps in academic skills. The teacher, psychologist, parent and home school then develop a plan that meets the child’s unique needs and sets goals for the child to achieve.
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Temple University’s Urban Education Program 3Cord, Inc. is partnering with Temple University Harrisburg (TUH) to bring a Certificate of Learning and Leadership in Urban Education to the Central Pennsylvania area. A brand new Professional Development Opportunity, this Program will be available in the York area at a 3Cord location. Temple’s Urban Education Certificate program focuses on urban education reform through school-community partnerships, with an emphasis on developing the skills necessary to engage in collaborative work with diverse groups of people in urban environments. Through the certificate students will gain knowledge and skills in: Urban educational issues; Reform initiatives – in current and historical contexts; Urban communities; Theory & Practice; and Program development related to developing partnerships between schools, agencies, and communities. Applications are being accepted now through December 15, 2012. Students should know that this Certificate is offered in an accelerated format and they will be able to complete the program in less than 8 months. Courses are also transferable to a Temple Masters Program. Temple University Harrisburg schedules all of their classes in evening and weekend formats to accommodate the busy, working adult. Courses may be offered in a blended, hybrid or online format depending upon participant needs. The Certificate in Urban Education consists of 12 credits or 4 courses: 2 courses convey general knowledge of urban education (UE5401 and UE5501) and 2 courses provide specialized knowledge. Interested applicants may contact Anne Eckert, M.Ed. at Temple University Harrisburg by calling (717)232-6400, ext. 422, or via email at ake@temple.edu. For more information, visit www.temple.edu/harrisburg/.
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Management Services As an Educational Management Organization (EMO), 3 Cord, Inc. offers professional business services to support operations for public charter schools. An EMO is an organization that runs a school and receives public funds under a contract, which includes set performance standards within a given time frame. The EMO must meet these standards in order to maintain its management of the school. 3Cord provides the platform and foundation to successfully launch and manage charter schools. We create educational frameworks, materials, processes and environments that enable effective learning experiences. 3 Cord develops training and resources to support the school’s achievement of academic results and performance standards set within a management agreement. As the school achieves set milestones, 3 Cord continues to progressively nurture the schools leadership to support their independence and success. The school operates with its own board of directors and leadership for all decision-making. Overtime the school operates independently, but is held to 3 Cord’s standards, as 3 Cord is the organization ultimately held accountable for the school’s results. We understand that our own organizational practices should serve as example of the values and attitudes we convey to our students.
As an EMO, we can assist a newly-founded school with: • Strategic Planning and Organizational Guidance • Unique Curriculum Development • Aligned with Common Core and Pennsylvania Standards • Leadership for curriculum development and evaluation based on goals and objectives, including outcomes measurement • Faculty training on curricular materials • Special Education and English Language Learning Compliance under No Child Left Behind as well as under state and local law • New School Development • Building Community Partnerships • Four Levels of Leadership Training 1. Leadership 2. Coaching 3. Training 4. Mentoring • Government Relations/School Lobbying Efforts • Public Relations • Operations (maintenance, management and technical support services) • Financial Management and Bookkeeping Services • Grant Writing
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Community Partnerships Through partnering with organizations in our community, 3Cord, Inc. leverages existing resources to provide the social, academic and health services that our children and families need, and does so in a fiscally responsible manner. Our model is based on research that indicates that children thrive when a tightly knit network of services is woven around them from birth through college and career. Although other organizations have raised millions of dollars to achieve this type of network, 3Cord understands that, through partnering with organizations in the community, we could leverage existing resources. By identifying partners with track records of excellence, we provide the social, academic and health services that our children and families need. This community inclusive approach builds stronger bonds locally and creates collaborative thinking. Our partnerships include working with the region’s leading cultural theater and entrepreneurship programs, local businesses and leadership groups which provide an introduction to real world professions, skills and social networks.
Some of our collaborations include: YWCA York: After school programming, QOP Jr. mentoring program and the Girls on the Run Program at NHACS. YWCAs statewide in Pennsylvania will also serve as brick and mortar locations for cyber cafes, as part of 3 Cord’s Urban Cyber Charter School initiative. Universal Companies: Urban Cyber Charter School will partner with Universal Companies Family of Schools in Philadelphia to create “hubs” where cyber students and families can receive optional tutoring and networking services. YMCA of York: Students attend physical education classes in their state-of-the-art fitness facility and participate in the Y Achievers Program. Martin Memorial Library: Students have access to the virtual library, as well as job-training skills. Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center: Houses New Hope Academy’s Performing Arts Program, which provides practical experience in theater and theater management, dance, videography and music production. Family First Health: This community health center links our families with primary care providers and other needed health services.
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Urban Impact Community Fund As part of 3Cord’s mission to support community needs, the Urban Impact Community Fund was founded as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the purpose of funding charitable causes, such as providing resources and support for students and the urban communities in which they live. Launched in 2009, the Urban Impact Community Fund started with an emphasis of raising funds for student scholarships, and has expanded to encompass efforts that provide support for students and their families beyond the schoolyard, including creating safe urban environments. Through innovative programming and strategic partnerships in the public and private sectors, the Urban Impact Community Fund also strives to improve the quality of life for York County families through urban renewal projects that provide safe recreation spaces, as well as services and educational opportunities that allow children to thrive and achieve their full potential from birth through college and career.
King Street Corridor It is 3Cord, Inc.’s goal to transform the King Street Corridor from Hartley Street to Penn Street to create safe passage for neighborhood youth, provide social services in the area and change the neighborhood landscape. Our vision for the King Street Corridor is modeled on two successful prototypes implemented in other urban areas: The Universal Plan from Universal Companies in Philadelphia and the HCZ Project, an initiative of the Harlem Children’s Zone in New York City. Both models utilize a multi-pronged approach to reinvesting in urban America. We asked ourselves – why not do the same in York?
We plan to revitalize and create safe passage from South Hartley Street to the York County Rail Trail. To do this we will: • Engage in comprehensive planning in the target area with a variety of public and private organizational partners, community leaders and neighbors. • Create a vision for revitalization that identifies key properties and neighborhood assets. • Create a portfolio of affordable and market rate developments. • Work with our neighbors to foster local community capacity to take advantage of market change. This community development model, targeting education reform and community revitalization simultaneously, is at the heart of 3Cord’s vision.
P: 717.845.4046 • info@3cordinc.com
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Philanthropy Through our 501(c)(3), the Urban Impact Community Fund, 3Cord, Inc. raises funds for scholarships for students in York City.The scholarships are for students who wish to pursue higher education, but lack the financial means to accomplish this goal. We are working to create educational opportunities and safe passage for our youth and neighbors that will allow positive development from birth through college and career.
Economic Development To address the changing nonprofit environment, 3Cord, Inc. has adopted a model of social entrepreneurship implemented by the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild and the Manchester Bidwell Corporation. This profit/nonprofit hybrid approach combines the best practices of the nonprofit and for-profit sectors to simultaneously enhance our impact and financial sustainability through missionrelated earned income activities. As social entrepreneurs, we start and grow business ventures that simultaneously contribute to 3Cord’s mission and our ability to bring sustainable and responsible growth to urban areas. New Grounds Roasting Company is just one example of how we are helping to create positive economic development through active community spaces that bring career opportunities to local residents, professional development for area students and create a vibrant urban community.
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Building sustainable urban communities for life.