El Centro: A Different Kind of Alternative
Along with core classes, students earn credits toward graduation by attending an internship of their choice 2 days/week. Guided by a nurturing mentor who is a professional in your field of interest, you will gain hands-on experience and industry-specific skills. Examples of internships include: EMT training and certification, cosmetology, and architecture and design.
Privacy Policy
El Centro Big Picture High School is an intentionally small, accelerated school for young people ages 16–21 who had previously disconnected from school.
We are one of two schools in Philadelphia operated and managed by the nonprofit Big Picture Philadelphia (BPP). BPP uses the Big Picture Learning model—small classroom sizes, a whole-student approach, and real-world learning—to help students find and walk their pathway to success.
At El Centro, you'll join an intimate community of learners and earn your high school diploma—all while starting on your career path.
Fill out the form to learn more about El Centro Big Picture High School.
BECOME THE PERSON YOU WANT TO BE
Why El Centro?
Professional Internships
Teachers are Advisors
Advisories, small groups of 18 or less students, are paired with an Advisor (what we call teachers) and meet daily for literacy circles, to learn social-emotional skills, work on service-learning projects, and more. Advisors will also meet 1-on-1 with you regularly to check-in on your progress and solve issues together.
Mental Health Support
Resilience Specialists (full-time, in-house adolescent mental health specialists) focus on removing barriers to learning. They provide free, unlimited mental, emotional, and behavioral health counseling for you and your family and serve as liaisons between families and supportive service agencies.
“El Centro already has such a good support system you have no choice but to succeed. Take it and run with it.”
- Olivia Quinones, El Centro Class of 2021
El Centro was in the Kensington neighborhood for over thirteen years but never had a permanent building. After relocating in the area three times, El Centro had to temporarily leave its home neighborhood. In 2022, we started our search for a modern, state-of-the art forever home. This dream is now a reality with the completion of Phase One of construction of a 28,284 square foot education and workforce development center, opening in August 2024!
El Centro has a new home!
Upcoming Events
Open Houses
- Wednesday, July 31 & Thursday, August 1
Open Enrollment Sessions
- Tuesdays-Thursdays, 9am-12pm and 1pm-3pm