Supported Programs

Early Childhood Education

Harrisburg Public School Foundation has supported the school district’s early childhood education program since its initiation in 2001. The program goal is to give three- and four-year-old children a solid introduction to language and literacy, and to foster the social skills and emotional development necessary for a smooth transition to kindergarten. The importance cannot be overstated: early studies indicated that many students without the benefit of early intervention were entering public kindergarten two years below grade level.

Evaluation findings now show children enrolled in the early childhood education classes enter kindergarten with stronger verbal skills and can identify more letters than a sample of matched students who were assessed when the program was not available. Significantly, the students who entered the program at age three had better vocabulary skills than those enrolled at age four. Additionally, children with two years in the program had higher numeric skills. The program is recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a quality preK program and has received accolades from PreK Counts and The Foundation for Child Development.

Currently, program funding supports enrollment of 560 children. More than 1500 age-eligible children living in Harrisburg can benefit form the program. Because early childhood education is outside the state-mandated curriculum, continuation and expansion depends on private donations.

Harrisburg High School (SBI) Preparatory Program

Harrisburg High School and Florida A&M University School of Business and Industry (SBI) preparatory program, started in 1991, gives potentially high achieving scholars hands-on experience in the world of business and industry. It’s a three-year accelerated honors program. Each scholar is expected to maintain a 3.0 grade average.

In the past 15 years, more than 134 SBI students have graduated from the program with 132 going on to post-secondary education. At least 10 have completed their master’s degrees; two are in medical school and one is in law school. Some attend local and regional colleges; others travel to colleges throughout the United States representing more than 25 institutions of higher learning.

SBI program success relies on partnerships with the business community, whether through direct donation, or internships, or by providing mentorships to these students.