Partnerships

The Chester Fund for Education and the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has entered into a contract with the Chester Upland School District to privately support the Chester Upland School of the Arts, creating an extraordinary public school in the city of Chester, Pennsylvania. This kind of public-private partnership, as another alternative to a charter school, could serve as a state and national model for urban public-education reform. Ultimately serving children in grades Pre-K through 8, the school welcomes 280 students in grades Pre-K through 4 for the 2010–2011 school year.

This privately assisted public school prepares its students to attend the finest colleges and universities in the world and to use their intellectual and creative powers to repair their community and create a better world. The Chester Upland School of the Arts (CUSA) became a reality in 2008 because of then-Superintendent Dr. Gregory Thornton. Coming to Chester from the Philadelphia School District, Dr. Thornton brought his innovative spirit to Chester, where he joined The Chester Fund to create CUSA during the very first year of his superintendency.

In 2010, new Acting Superintendent Dr. Joyce Wells continues the district’s inspirational leadership with her support of partnerships, including CUSA and its children.

Chester Upland’s motto, “Teaching for Success—Mind, Body and Spirit”  embodies all aspects of a student’s being; there is a natural correlation between our motto and the arts. Chester students are creative and curious. The Chester Upland School of the Arts (CUSA ) provides an added dimension to our students’ intellectual abilities and is a much-needed opportunity for our young people.

–  Dr. Joyce Wells, Acting Superintendent