Penn Rising Scholar Success Academy (PennRSSA)
2026 PennRSSA Summer Academy
This summer, we are offering a rigorous program that provides high-caliber academic, career, and college preparation, as well as financial literacy content. Participants will also participate in a small-group Capstone Project. The program will be delivered in small cohorts led by University of Pennsylvania undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
When and Where:
- Professional Development Week: June 22nd – June 25th
- Program Duration: 6 weeks (June 29–August 5, 2026).
- In-Person Days: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays on Penn’s campus.
- Virtual Days: Thursdays on Zoom.
- Fridays: Fun extracurricular activities (i.e., including museum visits and campus tours)!
About PennRSSA
The Penn Rising Scholar Success Academy (PennRSSA) is a free, college preparatory and career exploration program designed for high school students across Philadelphia. Students enrolled in School District of Philadelphia, public charter, and Archdiocese of Philadelphia high schools are eligible to participate in either of our two programs regardless of their academic record.
Program Mission
PennRSSA launched in July 2020 as the Rising Senior Summer Academy, a direct intervention to address pandemic-related disruptions to education in our city. Today, our goal remains the same—to advance the futures of Philadelphia students by:
- Increasing student access to high-quality learning experiences through engaging, radical pedagogy;
- Creating a supportive program environment which balances high expectations and academic rigor with trauma-informed practices for participant achievement;
- Providing engaged mentorship from undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, staff, and faculty in tailored 1:1 and interactive “pod” settings;
- Equipping students for postsecondary success by expanding their skills, knowledge, confidence, motivation, and preparedness to navigate the postsecondary application and enrollment processes.
To date, more than 6,000 Philadelphia high school students have participated in PennRSSA.
