Temple University announced on Mar. 27 a new partnership with the School District of Philadelphia to establish the Temple Partnership Schools Network (TPSN). The initiative, developed by Temple’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), aims to work directly with Tanner G. Duckrey School and Mary McLeod Bethune School, both located near Temple’s Main and Health Sciences Center campuses, to create a community-based learning environment.
The collaboration is designed to strengthen local schools in North Philadelphia and provide more pathways for students toward higher education. TPSN follows the Professional Development School model, which integrates educator preparation, faculty expertise, professional development, and research directly into partner schools.
“This is a true partnership,” said Temple President John Fry. “Tanner G. Duckrey and Mary McLeod Bethune are two schools that are located right in our backyard, and our partnership with those schools is an example of the coordinated approach we are taking in serving the North Philadelphia community. Together with the School District of Philadelphia, we are strengthening our local schools and creating additional pathways to higher education.”
Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said that TPSN aligns closely with Accelerate Philly Strategic Plan goals: “We’re grateful to Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development for providing an added layer of expertise for our youngest learners at Tanner G. Duckrey and Mary McLeod Bethune schools.” He added that the program supports foundational academic skills so students can graduate college career-ready while ensuring educators receive high-quality training.
Monika Williams Shealey, dean of CEHD, emphasized community engagement: “Thriving schools contribute to thriving neighborhoods. The TPSN demonstrates our collective responsibility to ensure all children have access to equitable educational opportunities… CEHD is leveraging our strengths…to serve students and their families.”
Valerie Harrison, vice president for community impact at Temple, described a holistic approach: “This partnership uses a whole-child, whole-family, whole-community framework that strengthens the ecosystem around each student.” Interim Provost David Boardman called it “a demonstration of how Temple is one of North Philadelphia’s greatest assets…”
As part of its rollout at Duckrey and Bethune Schools—where other programs like Temple Future Scholars already operate—the TPSN will offer family workshops on literacy promotion, English language learning opportunities in collaboration with workforce partners such as Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships; trauma support through PHASeS; as well as professional development options for university students pursuing teaching or counseling careers.
The pilot may expand into more public schools in future years.
