At the heart of every vibrant neighborhood is a thriving school. NICE is dedicated to ensuring that the heart of our neighborhood, GW Childs Elementary, is beating strong.
Our Origin Story
In April 2012, NICE founder Megan Rosenbach, former GW Childs art teacher Maria Pandolfi, and school parent Kim Smith, teamed up to produce a student art show. This inaugural fundraiser highlighted works from the school’s 600 students, youth performances, and raised $1,000 for art supplies. The momentum gained from this event led Megan and Kim into a library revitalization project, and soon NICE held its first meeting, in August 2012, to get more community members involved in supporting the school.
About NICE
Neighbors Investing in Childs Elementary is a committed group of community members dedicated to supporting our neighborhood children! In the last seven years, NICE, in partnership with the amazing Principal, teachers, students and parents at G.W. Childs Elementary School has:
raised $125,000+ from grants, foundations, and City funding to support capital projects and after school programming.
raised $12,000+ from events and donors to support teacher projects, library improvements, and student activities.
engaged 500+ community members through schoolyard clean ups, volunteer projects, block parties, fundraising, and public school advocacy.
fostered 10+ new partnerships to support early literacy, English Language Learners, the arts, gardening, and public school advocacy.
About GW Childs Elementary School
George W. Childs Elementary School is a neighborhood school in the Point Breeze community of Philadelphia located at 1599 Wharton Street. GW Childs provides instruction and education to 508 students in pre-K through 8th grades. The student population is demographically diverse with approximately 25% of students identified as English Language Learners representing over two dozen languages. Find more student demographic and school data here and check out the school’s website here.
A Brief History of GW Childs
GW Childs was founded in the Point Breeze neighborhood of Philadelphia in 1894 at 17th and Dickinson. The school changed locations in 2010 to the current building which formerly housed Barratt Junior High School and, in 2013, merged with the nearby Walter G. Smith Elementary School.
“Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.”
Did you know: On October 26th, 1967, approximately 6 months before his assassination, Martin Luther King Jr gave his “What is Your Life’s Blueprint?” speech to the students of Barratt Junior High School in the current Childs auditorium?