Partner With ELA
Bring a proven youth enrichment program to your school at no cost to your families.
ELA Youth by Early Life Academy has been serving youth and families since 2009. We partner with schools and districts to provide safe, structured, and engaging after-school enrichment programs that support student development, strengthen school culture, and give families a trusted place for their children to grow.
We do not simply offer supervision after the bell rings. We bring a full youth development system to your campus — one built around leadership, creativity, life skills, wellness, and cultural awareness — so every student has the opportunity to discover their potential and build skills that last a lifetime.
Academic Support Built In
Every program day includes dedicated homework help and tutoring so students come to school ready to learn
Structured After-School
Programming A fully managed, club-based enrichment program that runs Monday through Friday so your students are safe, engaged, and growing after the bell.
Structured After-School
Programming A fully managed, club-based enrichment program that runs Monday through Friday so your students are safe, engaged, and growing after the bell.
Benefits to Your School
No Cost to Your School or Families
ELA manages staffing, programming, and
operations. Schools provide the space — we
bring everything else.
Experienced, Trained Staff
All ELA staff are background-checked, trained in youth development, and supervised by experienced site leadership.
Leadership Development
Youth take on real leadership roles through our
club-based model — building confidence,
responsibility, and teamwork.
Cultural Awareness & Inclusion
ELA programs celebrate diversity and are designed to be inclusive, culturally responsive, and respectful of every backgroun
Family Engagement
We communicate regularly with families through
Procare, ClassDojo, newsletters, and program
events — keeping parents connected.
Alignment With School Goals
Our programs support social-emotional learning, attendance, and student engagement — goals your school already cares about.
What Students Experience
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Club-based enrichment in areas like STEM, creative arts, leadership, wellness, life skills, and cultural exploration
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Hands-on, project-based learning that leads to a real ELA Innovation Showcase each session
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Youth leadership opportunities in every club session — every student has a role
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Flex Friday — a structured choice-based experience that promotes independence and wellness
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Reflection Circles that build communication, self-awareness, and community
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Positive relationships with trained mentors and youth development professionals
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A safe, inclusive environment where every young person belongs
Our Track Record
Serving youth and families since 2009.
ELA by Early Life Academy has built a reputation as a trusted youth enrichment partner across the Philadelphia region. Our programs operate at multiple school sites and serve youth ages 5–18 through a structured, club-based model that prioritizes safety, engagement, leadership, and positive experiences.
We are fully compliant with Pennsylvania OCDEL/DHS regulations and operate under the oversight of experienced program leadership.
What We Ask of Our School Partners
ELA is designed to be a low-lift partnership for schools. Here is all we ask:
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Access to classroom or program space after school hours
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A school liaison or point of contact for coordination and communication
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Collaboration on student enrollment and attendance tracking
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Support in sharing program information with families during enrollment periods
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Mutual respect for school policies, facilities, and staff
That’s it. ELA handles all programming, staffing, safety supervision, family communication, and compliance documentation.
Who We Partner With
ELA currently partners with and is open to partnerships with:
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Philadelphia School District elementary, middle, and high schools
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Charter schools and independent schools
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Community organizations with youth-serving facilities
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Faith-based institutions with youth programming space
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Recreation centers and community centers
Pillar Quote / Mission Statement for the Page
“Our goal is simple: to create a place where youth feel supported, inspired, and excited to learn. We look forward to partnering with schools and families to help every young person discover their potential and prepare for the future.” —
Donna L. Hines, M.Ed., Founder & Executive Director, Early Life Academy
How the Partnership works
1
Reach Out
Submit a partnership inquiry through our online form or email us directly at admin@earlylifeacademy.org. A member of our leadership team will respond within 3–5 business days.
2
Discovery Conversation
We schedule a brief call or meeting to learn about your school’s needs, student population, available space, and goals for after-school programming.
3
Partnership Proposal
We develop a customized proposal outlining the program model, schedule, staffing plan, and enrollment process for your specific site.
4
Agreement & Setup
Once both parties agree on terms, we finalize the partnership agreement, complete all required documentation, and begin the site setup process.
5
Staff Onboarding & Launch
ELA recruits, hires, and trains site staff. We coordinate with your school on enrollment, family communication, and the program launch timeline.
6
Program Launch
Your students begin participating in ELA’s club-based after-school enrichment program. Our team manages day-to-day operations — you stay in the loop through regular communication and site check-ins.
ELA manages all program costs related to staffing, operations, and materials. There is no direct cost to the school for hosting the program. Families may be asked to contribute a nominal program fee depending on the funding structure at each site. We work to ensure our programs are accessible to every student regardless of family income.
Program capacity varies by site based on available space and staffing. We work with each school partner to determine the right enrollment size to ensure every student receives a high-quality experience. We typically serve between 20 and 75 students per site.
ELA serves youth ages 5–18 across four development levels: Explorers (ages 5–7), Creators (ages 8–10), Leaders (ages 11–13), and Innovators (ages 14–18). We can partner with elementary, middle, and high schools and tailor the program model to fit the age group at each site.
Every program day includes check-in and attendance, the ELA Club Pledge and schedule review, recreation, snack and dinner, homework and academic support, a club learning block, and a closing reflection circle. On Fridays, students participate in Flex Friday — a structured, choice-based enrichment experience. Programs run Monday through Friday from after school dismissal through 6:00 PM.
All ELA staff complete a thorough hiring process including interviews, reference checks, and Pennsylvania background clearances (Child Abuse History Clearance, State Police Criminal Record Check, and FBI Fingerprint Clearance). Staff are trained in youth development, safety supervision, positive behavior management, and ELA program systems. Every site is led by an experienced Site Director who supervises all staff and ensures program quality.
Yes. ELA manages all family communication through approved platforms including Procare and ClassDojo. We send regular program updates, attendance notifications, and event announcements. Families always know what their child is doing and how to reach us.
Simply fill out our Partner Inquiry Form below or email us directly at admin@earlylifeacademy.org. A member of our leadership team will be in touch within 3–5 business days to schedule a discovery conversation.