Article

Support The Chester Upland School of the Arts

• Date:
• November, 2010
• Author:
• The Chester Fund

• Chester, PA is the poorest community in Delaware County with a median per capita income of $13,400, and ranks among the poorest cities in the nation.  Chester students are underserved educationally; more than 50% of matriculating freshmen at Chester High School drop out, and most of those who graduate do not receive an adequate education.  The Chester Upland School District is ranked at the bottom of the 501 school districts in Pennsylvania.
   
  The Chester Upland School of the Arts ("CUSA") is a pre-K to 8 school (currently through grade 4) changing the life trajectory of Chester’s underserved students.  Created as a public school in partnership with a nonprofit fund providing significant financial assistance, CUSA provides a rigorous education for at-risk children.  Now in its third year of operation, CUSA serves 280 students in grades pre-k through 4, and will add one grade level each year.  Together with traditional academic studies, students are exposed to a rich, arts-enhanced curriculum.  Unlike other Chester schools, CUSA provides small class sizes, teaching assistants in each grade, a computer lab, and extensive music, dance and visual-arts programming.  A mandatory extended day program provides tutoring and arts opportunities.  CUSA is making a difference for its students, families, and the community of Chester.
   
  CUSA receives private financial assistance from The Chester Fund for Education and the Arts ("TCF"), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Swarthmore College music professor,  Dr. John Alston, and a group of professionals dedicated to ending the cycle of poverty in Chester.  The Board of Directors of TCF believe that Chester students deserve the same academic preparation as their more affluent suburban counterparts for college, employment, and citizenship. 

  On February 19th and 20th, HL CHALFANT will conduct its 4th Annual Unveiling Americana consignment sale to benefit the Chester Upland School for the Arts by providing 5% of all profits from the sale to the school.