Ania AlberskiHispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) celebrates the history and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans and honors their contributions to art, advocacy, food, music, and more. Though, while the month is a welcome reminder of how integral the Latino experience is to the story of the United States, it represents only a sliver of everyday impact.
Nowhere is that clearer than in Philadelphia, where Latinos are the city’s fastest-growing community, making up more than 16% of the city’s population. Philadelphians with roots in Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and across Central America, South America, and the Caribbean have helped shape the city’s nationally recognized food and arts scenes. That influence comes alive in the murals and steel palm trees of El Centro de Oro (“The Golden Block”), in South Philly’s award-winning taquerias, and in celebrations like the Puerto Rican Day Parade and Feria del Barrio that fill the streets with music, dance, and food each year.
Philadelphia’s next generation of Latino leaders is already thriving. Roughly a quarter of the city’s 198,405 district and charter school students identify as Hispanic or Latino, and of those nearly 50,000 students, more than a quarter attend charter schools.
Below, we’re highlighting four charter schools in Philadelphia whose missions explicitly center Latino culture, multilingual education, and excellence in Hispanic and Latino communities. Together, these schools serve nearly one-third of the city’s Latino charter school students.
Eugenio Maria De Hostos Charter School
At Eugenio María de Hostos Charter School, named for the 19th-century Puerto Rican educator and philosopher, 83% of the nearly 700 students identify as Hispanic or Latino. The school offers a bilingual, bicultural program in English and Spanish designed to help each student make the most of their individual talents.
“The Eugenio Maria de Hostos community is built on the belief that education empowers students, parents, and their families and that social action will foster positive change in the neighborhoods we call home,” the school shared.
That commitment is reflected in the school’s core values: integrity, honesty, kindness, citizenship, cooperation, fairness, responsibility, and excellence.
Esperanza Academy Charter School
At Esperanza Academy Charter School, 92% of the 2,246 students enrolled identify as Hispanic or Latino. Founded in 2000 by Esperanza, one of the nation’s largest Hispanic community development organizations, the school serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade and is built on the belief that every child deserves a high-quality education and the support to reach their full potential.
“What makes Esperanza Academy unique is our deep connection to the Philadelphia community we serve, particularly the rich Latino culture, history, faith, resilience, and spirit of Hunting Park in North Philadelphia,” said school leaders.
The school honors that heritage by engaging families as essential partners and “ensuring students see their identities, stories, and aspirations reflected in school culture, while preparing them to become leaders who positively impact their communities and the world.”
Pan American Academy Charter School
Located in Fairhill, the same neighborhood as El Centro de Oro, Pan American Academy Charter School serves 767 students, 81% of whom identify as Hispanic or Latino. As an International Baccalaureate school with a dual language program, Pan American centers language, literature, and history in both classroom learning and student travel.
“We celebrate our community’s predominantly Latino population through empowerment of identities, diverse perspectives of the diaspora and contributions to our community,” school leaders said. The goal, they added, is “to ensure that students have a global perspective to become the next generation of change agents.”
Antonia Pantoja Community Charter School
At Antonia Pantoja Community Charter School, named for the Puerto Rican educator and activist who founded ASPIRA, 90% of the nearly 700 students identify as Hispanic or Latino. The school’s goal is for every student who enters elementary school to graduate fully bilingual and biliterate.
“APCS creates bilingual community leaders,” the school’s leadership shared. “While in a safe, multicultural environment, students will develop leadership skills in order to become active citizens in our school and community.”
On Tuesday, October 13, students at APCS will enjoy a live salsa band performance featuring music and an educational exploration of the history and cultural significance of Hispanic music. This interactive experience will provide students with an opportunity to connect with the rhythms, traditions, and stories that have shaped Latin music.
The celebrations will continue on Friday, October 16, as students showcase their learning through schoolwide presentations and interactive projects. Highlights will include a Cuban Art Museum, Kindergarten news reports, engaging presentations exploring Mexico, and additional projects celebrating the diverse cultures and traditions of Hispanic and Latino communities.
CR Staff
Ania Alberski
