Eligibility

All students who are currently in the fourth grade and are residents of Philadelphia are eligible to apply to The Steppingstone Scholars Program. Steppingstone is looking for students who could truly benefit from an intensive academic program and are interested in admission into independent and other college-prep schools. During the admission process, Steppingstone looks for students who match the following criteria:

• Motivation:
  Students must be hard-working and willing to put in the extra effort it takes to succeed at Steppingstone and then at their placement schools. Steppingstone Scholars are eager to learn and enjoy being challenged.
  
• Access:
  The goal of the program is to provide students with access to educational opportunities to which they might not otherwise be exposed. The program is not designed for students who have their own means of accessing these opportunities.
  
• Family Support:
  Steppingstone is a family commitment and requires active and involved parents or guardians. We are looking for families who are willling to make sacrifices for their Scholar's education and who will be able to support Scholars throughout the 14-month component as well as at their placement school.