Outcomes Overview

“Outcomes” is a hot word these days—and rightfully so. We at Gesu School must be accountable to all our constituencies. They include our children and families to whom we must report that the quality education we tout is really a quality education; our generous donors that their gifts are leveling the playing field for our inner-city children; and the Jesuits and IHM Sisters who have committed their ongoing sponsorship in confidence that we are fulfilling our mission here in North Philadelphia. We also need to report accurately that Gesu as a non-profit institution is well-managed, conservative in spending and fiscally responsible.

Visitors see the evidence of Gesu’s culture in the faces of the happy, respected and respectful children whose hands shoot up in the air to ask and answer questions in every class.

However, the real proof is in our students' successes beyond the 8th grade. With no admission selectivity, our children have a wide range of ability. Nevertheless, over 90% of our graduates complete high school within four years, in a city with a high school

graduation rate that hovers around 50%.

If only there were statistical parameters to measure inward qualities of character, values, self-confidence and caring for others, our children would indeed score very high. Of course, to become productive adults in this rapidly changing world, children need both sets of tools—strong academic skills as well as grounded personal qualities.

Looking forward, we want to ensure that Gesu School continues to serve many generations by providing quality education in this neighborhood. We plan to solve our space needs, build our endowment, add enrichment opportunities, and spread the word of this little miracle school’s success.

Christine S. Beck
President/CEO, Gesu School

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Success Stories

Click here for success stories from trustees, students, and alumni

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Gesu Book: A Model School

Inspired by the vision, the values and the success of Gesu School, author Jerrold Footlick tells the Gesu story for other schools to use as their own inspiration. Author and former senior editor at Newsweek Magazine, Jerrold Footlick spent more than two years conducting interviews and meticulously researching Gesu’s rich past to produce “A Model School: How Philadelphia’s Gesu School is Remaking Inner-City Education.”

The book is available through Gesu School. To obtain your copy, please contact the Development Office at 215-763-9077.

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