Parent & Family University

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Welcome to
Parent & Family University

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Join us to learn, grow, & strengthen our community—together.

Parent & Family University provides free resources, courses, and support to help parents & families engage with their children, schools, and community in the following areas:

  • Student attendance and joy icon

    Student Attendance & Joy

    Discover simple ways to help your child get to school every day, build good habits, and enjoy learning.

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  • Health and wellness icon

    Health & Wellness

    Find support for your family’s physical health, mental well-being, and everyday balance.

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  • Civic engagement icon

    Civic Engagement

    Learn how to get involved, give back to your community, and take part in non-partisan civic activities.

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  • Financial literacy icon

    Financial Literacy

    Build everyday money skills that boost confidence and strengthen your family’s future.

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PFU makes learning accessible, supportive, and fun—here’s how:

Citywide courses

In-person and virtual courses offered citywide

Flexible options to meet families where they are—online and across Philadelphia.

Free and open

Free and open to the public

High-value learning at no cost. (Some sessions may require registration.)

Led by experts

Designed and led by experts

Sessions delivered by District staff and trusted local partners.

Prizes and resources

Raffles, prizes, & learning materials

Takeaways and incentives that support continued learning at home.

Meals and childcare

Meals and childcare are available

Participate without worrying about dinner or supervision.

Translation/interpretation

Translation/interpretation available

We support many languages. (Upon request—see site for details.)

Two students smiling outdoors
Father with two children outdoors, smiling together.

Courses

Courses

Explore a wide range of Parent & Family University courses designed to support families in learning, wellness, and community engagement.

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View Courses by Pillar

  • Student attendance and joy icon

    Student Attendance & Joy

    Discover simple ways to help your child get to school every day, build good habits, and enjoy learning.

    ➜ View Courses
  • Health and wellness icon

    Health & Wellness

    Find support for your family’s physical health, mental well-being, and everyday balance.

    ➜ View Courses
  • Civic engagement icon

    Civic Engagement

    Learn how to get involved, give back to your community, and take part in non-partisan civic activities.

    ➜ View Courses
  • Financial literacy icon

    Financial Literacy

    Build everyday money skills that boost confidence and strengthen your family’s future.

    ➜ View Courses

View Courses by Location

Catherine Annex 6900 Greenway Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19142
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Cassidy School 6523 Lansdowne Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19151
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Clemente School 122 W Erie Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19140
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MLK High School 6100 Stenton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138
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Northeast Community Propel Academy 7500 Rowland Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19136
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South Philadelphia High School 2101 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
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T. M. Peirce School 2300 W Cambria St, Philadelphia, PA 19132
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Washington High School 10175 Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19116
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Homeownership Readiness Program

Good as Gold Foundation’s 9-month journey to prepare you for the responsibilities and opportunities of homeownership

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Advance Your Education & Career Goals

Graduate Philadelphia provides advising, career guidance, and support to help adult learners finish their education and move forward.

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Programs & Extended Courses

Programs

Graduate Philly

Many adult learners face challenges balancing their learning and career goals with responsibilities and limited resources.

These challenges often prevent them from completing postsecondary credentials or from seeking career advancement opportunities.

Graduate Philadelphia resources, advising services, and wraparound support network help adult learners to navigate options, enroll in programs, identify financial resources for learning, and benefit from persistence to completion support.

Graduate Philadelphia’s core services will be available, as well as other learning opportunities that are custom or exclusive to District families. Career Integrated Learning Advising, which includes professional support, wraparound services, motivation, and accountability through a learner’s journey.

Families can participate in programs such as:

  • Google Micro-credentials around AI Essentials and Entrepreneurship
  • Resume-writing and Job Search Support
  • Job Fairs and Opportunities that lead to employment in the School District of Philadelphia and beyond

Select a subject to learn more:

Resume Writing & Online Job Search Skills Ace Your Next Job Interview Career Integrated Learning Advising AI Essentials

Good as Gold – Golden Keys Homeownership Readiness Program

The Good as Gold Foundation’s Golden Keys Homeownership Readiness Program is a nine-month series of in-person and virtual workshops designed to prepare participants for the responsibilities and opportunities of homeownership. The program takes a comprehensive approach, covering every stage of the homeownership journey—from building financial stability to understanding the closing process.

Through expert-led workshops, participants will receive practical guidance on budgeting, banking, savings, credit repair, grant programs, and the entire process of homeownership. They will also benefit from a one-time one-on-one session with a credit expert who will provide individualized reviews of credit reports and a customized action plan for improvement. Additional hands-on experiences, such as home walk-throughs with realtors, ensure that participants gain both knowledge and real-world perspective.

Register Here

Locations

Locations

Catherine Annex 6900 Greenway Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19142
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Cassidy School 6523 Lansdowne Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19151
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Clemente School 122 W Erie Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19140
➜ View Courses
MLK High School 6100 Stenton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138
➜ View Courses
Northeast Community Propel Academy 7500 Rowland Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19136
➜ View Courses
South Philadelphia High School 2101 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
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T. M. Peirce School 2300 W Cambria St, Philadelphia, PA 19132
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Washington High School 10175 Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19116
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Calendar

Upcoming Courses & Events

October 2025

Oct 4

Fall Family STEM Festival

Oct 14

Snack Smart!

Identify Strengths/Needs of Diverse Learners & School Selection Process

Oct 16

Get Fit Philly!

Parents 'R' Equal Partners (PREP)

Oct 20

Adult Financial Empowerment Series: Budgeting

Oct 21

Lunch & Learn: Rights of Multilingual Learners

Oct 22

Attendance Matters!

Oct 27

Adult Financial Empowerment Series: Borrowing and Credit

Oct 28

DNA Detectives: Investigating the Basics of DNA

Calm and Connected

Oct 30

Building Children’s Literacy at Home

Exploring Math Together: An Introduction to Illustrative Mathematics

November 2025

Nov 1

Family Saturday

  • Turning Everyday Activities into Learning Opportunities
  • Philly Family Robot Build: Hands-On STEAM Fun for All Ages
  • Telling Your Story: Power, Purpose & Community

Public Speaking for English Learners

Nov 3

Adult Financial Empowerment Series: Insurance

Nov 5

Building Children’s Literacy at Home

Ready for What’s Next: Helping Your Teen Build Toward Their Future

Nov 6

An Introduction to the New Science Curriculum

Beyond the Classroom: Internships, Fellowships & Future Pathways

Nov 10

Adult Financial Empowerment Series: Real Estate & Building Equity

Nov 12

Raising Resilient Children in the Digital Age

Nov 17

Adult Financial Empowerment Series: Investing

Nov 18

Lunch & Learn: Supporting Daily Living Skills

Understanding the Unique Strengths and Needs of Diverse Learners

From Stress to Connection: A Mindful Family Workshop

Nov 20

Building Children’s Literacy at Home

Philly Family Robot Build: Hands-On STEAM Fun for All Ages

Nov 24

Adult Financial Empowerment Series: College Affordability

December 2025

Dec 2

Lunch & Learn: Supporting Positive Behaviors

Fostering Family & School Relationships in the Service of Diverse Learners

Philly Family Robot Build: Hands-On STEAM Fun for All Ages

Dec 4

Get Fit Philly!

Building Children’s Literacy at Home

Dec 6

Family Saturday

  • 101 Things to Do with a Book
  • From Sock to Stage: Ancient Storytelling for Modern Families
  • Parents 'R' Equal Partners (PREP)
  • Public Speaking for English Learners
Dec 10

Meet Xello: The District’s College & Career Readiness Platform

Dec 16

Lunch & Learn: The Transition Process

Calm and Connected

Get Fit Philly!

Dec 18

Get to Know Your Child's English Language Arts Curriculum

Exploring Math Together: An Introduction to Illustrative Mathematics

Our Partners

Our Partners

Parent & Family University is proud to partner with organizations that share our commitment to empowering families. Learn more about our featured partners below.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can participate in these programs? ➜
Our programs are open to parents, caregivers, and families of students within the School District of Philadelphia.
Is there a cost to participate? ➜
No, all our programs and workshops are free of charge.
What is the difference between a workshop and a program? ➜
A workshop is typically a single, stand-alone session focused on a specific topic (e.g., a one-hour session on financial literacy). A program is a longer, more comprehensive series of workshops, often spanning several sessions (e.g., the Golden Keys Homeownership Readiness Program).
How do I register for an event? ➜
You can register for any of our events by clicking on the registration link on our website, which will direct you to Eventbrite or directly to a registration form.
Are the workshops virtual, in-person, or both? ➜
Our workshops and programs are offered in a mix of virtual and in-person formats to accommodate all families. Please check the event details for the specific format.
Can I bring my children to the workshops? ➜
Some workshops are designed for parents and caregivers only, while others, like the robotics or literacy workshops, are designed for the whole family. Please check the event description for details on who can attend.
How do I get support for a specific issue? ➜
Our team is available to help. You can contact us by clicking the "Contact the Organizer" button on our Eventbrite pages, or by reaching out to us directly through the contact information provided on our main website.
What kind of topics do you cover? ➜
We cover a wide range of topics, including financial literacy, civic engagement, career readiness for adults, postsecondary success for teens, and family well-being.
Can I get a copy of the materials after a workshop? ➜
Yes, we often provide materials, checklists, and action plans for participants to take home. Additionally, for many workshops, materials will be made available on our website.
How will I know if a workshop is canceled or rescheduled? ➜
We will notify all registered participants via the email address used for registration if an event is canceled or rescheduled.

Contact Us

Contact Us