History

Ourstory

The term “Ase” (ah-shay) is a West African term of Yoruba origin and is generally used as a statement of affirmation. It has many applications, including to give thanks or show appreciation or acknowledgement. Most commonly, when people say “Ase” they mean, “let it be so.”

The founding members of Ase Academy were students at the University of Pennsylvania and residents of the DuBois College House, where they discussed and debated a myriad of issues concerning the disadvantaged conditions of their home communities and the community of West Philadelphia, which served as home away from home for the students. One recurring conversation was the role of education in the empowerment of underserved communities. For them, it became clear that equipping students with empowering knowledge at an early age would provide them with the tools to transform their environments.

In the Spring of 1999, these conversations took shape as a Saturday program for middle school students in the West Philadelphia community. Housed on Penn’s campus, it would allow young students to have access to the campus’ abundant resources.

Thus, Ase Academy was born as an affirmation and testament to the positive development of students and communities when resources and passion united.

Since its inception in 1999, Ase Academy has grown from an entirely undergraduate student-run program to a fully staffed organization of Penn alumni, undergraduate, and graduate students.

With increasing community support and encouragement, Ase has also expanded from sixth and seventh grades to include a full high school and college prep program for students in grades 6 through 12.

Over the past 11 years, Ase Academy has served over 600 students, primarily from the West Philadelphia area, preparing them to enter magnet and highly competitive schools around the city. At least 80% of middle school participants have transitioned into specialized high schools. All of our students are committed to both their own success and that of their own communities.

What We Believe

“Students do not learn to read and write; they read and write in order to learn.” ~African Proverb

Ase’s theory of change is simple: students will learn and flourish when provided with relevant, life applicable, ways to do so.

Backed by substantial research on resilience, project and inquiry based learning, and best practices for youth development, Ase’s curriculum utilizes our students’ own experiences, cultural values, and community based wisdom to connect academic theory (i.e., 21st century learning skills, national academic standards, etc.), with practical knowledge of how students can use these skills to improve both their own lives and the conditions of their community.

In addition, by providing a network of support, including mentors, parents, and college professors, students are provided with positive examples of excellence, as well as a safe haven where they can address developmental challenges and life skills issues with a core group of individuals who have experienced, first hand, the challenges these students face.

Our belief is that education must be a holistic practice focused not only on developing students’ academic abilities, but also their cultural, creative, and social capabilities. Without addressing these issues simultaneously, the chances of developing well-rounded students who can carry the torch of community development is unlikely.

Through our interdisciplinary, leadership focused curriculum, Ase strives to nurture the intelligence, energy, creativity, and thirst for knowledge with which all children are born. Each aspect of our academy is designed to help develop our young peoples’ senses of self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-discipline, helping them understand how their example and collective efforts can impact the wider society.