Education equity in Philadelphia is one of the defining challenges of our time. Philadelphia has one of the most underfunded public school systems in Pennsylvania, a state that itself ranks among the worst in the country for school funding equity. Per-pupil spending varies dramatically by zip code, meaning a student’s educational opportunity is still largely determined by where their family can afford to live.

This isn’t new information. But it’s information that shapes everything we do at Dreaming Elephants Tutoring.

The Reality of Philadelphia’s Education Landscape

Philadelphia public schools serve a student population that is majority Black and Latino, and majority low-income. Despite having some of the most dedicated teachers in the country, these schools are chronically under-resourced. Class sizes are too large. Counselors are overextended. Specialized support services are difficult to access.

The result is an achievement gap that isn’t really about student ability at all. It’s about access. Students in higher-income districts have smaller classes, more support staff, more enrichment programs, and, critically, more access to private tutoring when they fall behind.

Private tutoring has historically been a resource for families who can afford it, widening the gap rather than closing it.

Why “Each One, Teach One” Is More Than a Tagline

Dreaming Elephants was founded in 2017 by Thomas Sumter III and Dr. Jeremy Cooper with a specific vision: to bring educator-quality tutoring to Philadelphia families who needed it most, delivered by educators who looked like the students they served and understood the systems those students were navigating.

Our tagline, Each One, Teach One, comes from a philosophy rooted in African American tradition: that education is not just an individual achievement but a community responsibility. When you gain knowledge and skill, you share it. You lift others with you.

That philosophy means we:

• Hire certified educators, not college students looking for a side hustle, so students get the same quality instruction that private school families pay premium rates for
• Price our services competitively while being transparent about why quality instruction costs what it does
• Serve students in their homes, online, or at community spaces, removing barriers of transportation and access
• Build neurodivergence-inclusive design into every session, because Philadelphia’s under-resourced schools often miss learning differences in Black and Brown students
• Include college consultation with high school tutoring, so families who may not have college-going networks have the same guidance that private school students receive

What Education Equity in Philadelphia Looks Like in Practice

Educational equity doesn’t mean every student gets the same thing. It means every student gets what they need. A student who is two years behind grade level needs something different than a student who’s ready for AP coursework. A student with ADHD needs something different than a neurotypical student who just needs homework support.

Equity means meeting each student where they are and building a path forward that’s designed for them. That’s what our diagnostic-first approach makes possible.

Philadelphia’s students deserve educators who believe in their potential, understand their context, and refuse to accept that where you grow up should determine how far you go. That’s why Dreaming Elephants exists.

If you’re a Philadelphia-area family looking for tutoring that sees your student’s full potential, schedule a free consultation today.

How We Support Education Equity in Philadelphia Every Day

Real education equity in Philadelphia will require systemic change, and we support that work wherever we can. But we also believe families cannot wait for the system to catch up. That is why we bring high-quality, personalized tutoring directly to students across the city, meeting them in their homes, online, and in community spaces so cost and transportation never stand in the way.

Parents who want to understand their school’s funding and performance can start with data from the School District of Philadelphia, and then reach out to us to build a plan tailored to their student. If you would like to learn more about our approach, visit our About page. Together, families and educators can help close the gaps and make education equity in Philadelphia a reality for the next generation.

🐘 An elephant never forgets a good story — and neither will you. There’s a whole herd waiting at The Watering Hole, so come take a sip.