A revitalized MANA schoolyard opened in 2017. MANAS (as FoCA) raised nearly $1.7 million over five years to support the transformation of the schoolyard from asphalt desert to urban oasis. The process began in 2011 with $130,000 from corporate partners and community members to construct a play structure, benches, and plantings in one corner of the space. Over the next five years, FoCA worked to raise funds to complete the balance of the schoolyard, winning major grants from civic, government, and corporate partners. Read more about the schoolyard project.

The MANA schoolyard is more than just a playground: it's an outdoor classroom. Designed to optimize and enhance students' social, emotional, physical and cognitive development, the schoolyard engages students in both play and learning. Through its grounds committee, MANAS continues to help maintain the schoolyard, from replacing missing screws to tending trees.

The cafetorium space at MANA was previously the school’s gymnasium. In order to optimize that space for our scholars, we raised funds to support the transition into a multi-use cafeteria plus auditorium that relies on moveable, flexible furniture that serves multiple functions. For breakfast, lunch, and snacks, students sit at tables flanked by benches. For assemblies and performances, the tables split into two pieces to form a pair of benches with backs. Over the years, MANAS has also helped repair these tables as needed.

In middle school classrooms, students and teachers benefit from moveable desks that can be arranged based on various learning needs and routines, from community circles to partner and group collaboration. Ergonomic chairs utilize a flexible cantilever design to provide a comfortable, responsive “bounce” that encourages the active movement necessary for sustained focus and engagement. MANAS plans to identify funding to provide furniture for all grade levels.

Our school’s makerspace, the Wildcat Workshop, was established in 2014 under the leadership of former Chester A. Arthur teacher Michael Franklin. Since then, MANAS has supported the Wildcat Workshop through promoting the installation of a podcast booth in 2018 and by purchasing materials like 3D printing filament that keep the makerspace humming. In 2025, Marian Anderson was the only Philadelphia public school to have winning student projects in the Carver Science Fair, National History Day Philly, and the Philly Media and Design Competition. All of these projects were created in the Wildcat Workshop. MANAS helped provide the materials that made these projects possible.

The Wildcat Workshop is also the homebase for our school’s WHYY Media Lab and FIRST LEGO League robotics programs. In 2024 and 2025, more than 70 students participated in an after school robotics club. These award-winning robotics clubs were supported in part by MANAS, alongside the Philadelphia Robotics Coalition, the Neubauer Foundation, the Lori and Mike Fife Foundation, and Donors Choose mini grant projects. Additionally, every student in the school has access to the robotics materials purchased by MANAS.

In recent years, and particularly through campaigns at The Night Out, MANAS has purchased equipment to expand our school’s music program. From a classroom set of keyboard to speakers and sound equipment, MANAS ensures that students have access to a robust music education. More recently, MANAS has purchased risers for the choir and drums for classroom learning.

MANAS is supporting the 2026 spring musical by organizing a musical committee for families and by purchasing set materials, lighting equipment, and costumes. Items such as stage blocks, spotlights, and light cables will be used in future productions for years to come.

Funds raised through The Night Out helped make an exciting and meaningful addition to the gym—a new rock climbing wall for students to enjoy. The wall gives MANA scholars a fun, challenging way to build strength, confidence, and problem-solving skills while staying active. Just as importantly, it provides a safe indoor option for physical activity on days when weather doesn’t allow for outdoor play, ensuring students have consistent opportunities to move, play, and stay healthy throughout the school year.

With donations from our generous community, MANAS has secured funding to transform an underutilized storage space next to the gymnasium into a sensory room. Designed to support self-regulation and emotional well-being, the room will include cozy rugs, a sound machine, fidgets, sensory wall materials, and other engaging activities that encourage relaxation and focus. This new space reflects our commitment to meeting students where they are and supporting the whole child—mind, body, and heart.

Dance eXchange is an in-school program for 3rd and 4th grade students offered at only six elementary schools in the Philadelphia School District. Through the program, students gain a basic dance vocabulary, a deeper understanding of dance as a performing art form to which many of them have not been previously exposed, and an opportunity to excel at something altogether new, in the presence of their peers. Dance eXchange emphasizes dance as a means to promote self-confidence, acquire valuable life skills, and establish personal standards for excellence for our MANA scholars. MANAS completely funds this program at MANA.

MANAS annually issues gift cards to teachers for purchasing classroom supplies. Additionally, MANAS provides mini grants for teachers to address other classroom needs and special projects. Examples of mini-grants purchases included class sets of whiteboards, computer headphones, board games for recess, a turtle aquarium, and bus tickets for students to participate in an off-site dancing competition.

MANAS has contributed funding to help pay for winter and spring after-school activities, including: Civil Engineering Club, Scratch Coding Club, Science Fair, Board Games Club, Math Clubs, and an ELA Test Prep Club. While the district does provide some funding for extracurricular activities, MANAS has stepped up to ensure that teachers are paid to host these clubs through the spring.

The Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy Home and School Association (HSA) is the direct link between Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy families and student life. MANAS raises funds to support HSA programs. Additionally, HSA coordinates volunteers, solicits donations, and raises funds through school-wide fundraisers. 

MANAS and HSA strive to work together to support activities that will build relationships and community with the students, families, and staff at Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy. Some of the events that HSA has hosted over the past year include: celebrating our teachers and staff during teacher appreciation week, holidays, and report card conferences; hosting a movie night with popcorn and candy; hosting “fun day” at the end of the school year, filled with activities for the students; hosting a fall potluck for families; supporting Back to School Night, Math Night, Literacy Night, Art Night, and our annual Scholastic Book Fair.