PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - When Kiana saw the Coliseum, she couldn’t get over it– a kid from North Philly seeing history firsthand. Kiana attends Project Forward Leap (PFL), where learning about other cultures involves a chance to go abroad.

Started in 1989, PFL is committed to closing the gaps of academic performance and developmental opportunities for economically disadvantaged students with academic promise — this past year for more than 750 students.

It’s a seven year enrichment program beginning in 5th grade, before what PFL calls “the downward spiral,” accepting students from seven public school systems including Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Lancaster.

Saturday sessions, summer residential institutes on college campuses including Bryn Mawr put emphasis on STEM subjects — science, technology, engineering and math — to meet workforce needs. For the college and overseas experiences, the kids fundraise!

Parents spend 50 hours annually, contributing to the program’s success where more than 85% of the students go on to higher education. Visit www.ProjectForwardLeap.org.

Reported By Dr. Marciene Mattleman, KYW Newsradio