In Philadelphia, too often the voices of adults drown out what really matters to students.

But in today’s Daily News, two recent graduates of Simon Gratz High School tell us how the district’s “Renaissance” turnaround program put them on the path to college and a successful future.
 
The students describe how the school – once notorious for its violence and low academic expectations – became a safe, positive place to learn, noting, “When we walk across the stage at our college graduations, we’ll have Renaissance to thank.”
 
This month, the School Reform Commission will consider whether to expand the Renaissance initiative to three more chronically underperforming neighborhood elementary schools. We urge them to put the needs of students first.
 
As always, contact us to learn more or get involved.