The Institute for Higher Learning is an alternative education program for youth age 14-21 at high risk for delinquency, who have dropped out of school or are not thriving in alternative school settings. The project strives to reduce recidivism and increase retention of the teens enrolled in the project. Its long term goals are to help students gain future employment and lead drug free stable lives.
Run by a cluster of eight United Methodists Churches in North Philadelphia led by Cookman United Methodist Church, the program uses church representatives to teach and counsel adolescents at church based centers. While the program is church based, it is not a religious program and no religious materials are distributed.
The Institute is staffed by licensed social workers, teachers and other professionals including tutors, a visiting therapist and teen peer mentors. It utilizes a School District approved home schooling curriculum from an academy in Florida, which allows students in Philadelphia to earn credits toward a diploma from that academy. In addition, the students receive computer training, and classes in work and life skills.