Programs

Overview page

List of Programs

Belmont Program

The Belmont Program, founded in 1987, served a group of 112 children from one of the poorest neighborhoods in Philadelphia. The initial group of Say Yes students to participate in the program was composed of 7th graders. When later research indicated the efficacy of intervention and support at an earlier age, younger groups of Say Yes students began to be admitted to the program.

Read more about Lessons Learned, "Start Young".

The Jane and Robert Toll Program

Founded in 1990, the Jane and Robert Toll Program stands out as the Say Yes-sponsored program that has selected the youngest group of students to date. The Toll Program was comprised of two classes of third graders (totaling 57 students) from the Harrity Elementary School in West Philadelphia. The Tolls chose to sponsor a school in Philadelphia because Mr. Toll was born in the area (Mrs. Toll grew up in Long Island, but both the Tolls attended the University of Pennsylvania, which eventually provided key leadership to the Toll Say Yes program).

Bryant Program

The Bryant Program of the Philadelphia Chapter is another beneficiary of Say Yes research indicating the importance of introducing educationally disadvantaged students into the Say Yes community as early as possible in their school careers. Launched in July 2000 at the William C. Bryant Elementary School in West Philadelphia, the Bryant Chapter was initially comprised of 50 children slated to enter kindergarten the following year. This group was the youngest cohort ever to be included in a Say Yes program.

The Belmont 112 Alumni Association

In keeping with the Say Yes goal of encouraging responsible citizenship among its students, a significant number of the initial 112 graduates from the Belmont Program of the Philadelphia Chapter are continuing to inspire younger cohorts of Say Yes students with the establishment of The Belmont 112 Alumni Association.

The Global Communications Academy (GCA)

Who We Are

The Global Communications Academy (GCA) is an exciting new pre-K through 12 school that was launched August 25, 2008, in Hartford, CT. It is the first collaboration between International Baccalaureate of North America (IB), George Weiss' widely acclaimed Say Yes to Education Foundation, and Hartford Public Schools. The Academy emphasizes college readiness, academic press, and financial, social-emotional, and health supports.