March 3, 2022

Virgil Sheppard – President and CEO, Hope Partnership for Education

Hope Partnership for Education is a co-sponsored ministry of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.

Hope Partnership for Education is an intentionally small 5th through 8th grade middle school in North Philadelphia. Small class sizes allow teachers and staff to form strong bonds with students and families. Our Graduate Support Program (GSP) keeps the relationship well past middle school. GSP is designed to facilitate successful transitions into both high school and college and future careers.

Haaziq graduated in 2016. Since then, he has frequently participated in GSP activities. At Hope, Haaziq was an inquisitive, athletic young man. When asked about his favorite class, Haaziq would passionately respond, “Gym!”

After Hope, Haaziq attended Roxborough High School, where he pursued his passion for fitness and nutrition. At Roxborough, Haaziq played on the football team and took courses in kinesiology and health. Since graduating high school, Haaziq has taken steps to become a Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach.

When asked about Hope, Haaziq said: “I come back to Hope for Graduate Support. When I was a high school student, I completed my school work and played basketball in the gym. I’ve gone back to Hope after my high school graduation as well. Since graduating, Graduate Support has helped me do my taxes and study for my driver’s permit test. They also helped me research personal training certificate programs. Hope is a comfortable place, sometimes I just come to the Graduate Support Lounge to chill and relax. My life would look completely different if I had gone to another middle school. I am proud to say that I am a Hope alumnus.”

The Graduate Support Program has had the immense pleasure of watching Haaziq grow from a gym class-loving middle schooler into an adult pursuing a career as a certified personal trainer.