Our Mission

Preparing Philly's next generation for the AI economy

PhillyXL exists because access to quality tech education should not depend on your zip code, your family's income, or what school you attend.

Our Story

How it started

PhillyXL began during COVID, when a group of high school students decided to do something about the gap they saw around them. Students had laptops and internet connections. What they didn't have was quality instruction, structured materials, or anyone to help when they got stuck. The first program was simple: peer-to-peer tutoring over Zoom, one student helping another work through STEM problems they both cared about.

That model — a peer one step ahead, on the same path, who remembers exactly where it gets hard — turned out to be more effective than anything more formal. PhillyXL has grown from those first Zoom sessions into courses, workshops, newsletters, and a community that now reaches students across the country. The mission is the same as it was on day one: make it possible for any student with a computer and a connection to get the quality education they deserve.

The Model

How it works

  1. Learn from free courses

    Choose from free courses on AI and STEM skills. Designed for complete beginners. No prerequisites. No gatekeeping. Learn at your own pace.

  2. Get matched with a peer mentor

    We match you with a fellow student who's a few steps ahead on the same path. Your mentor gets what you're working through — because they worked through it too. 4–8 hours per month, on your schedule.

  3. Join workshops and the community

    Attend free online and in-person workshops in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Connect with other learners. Learn together.

The Team

Who we are

PhillyXL started as students helping students — and that peer spirit still drives everything we do. We're a small, committed team supported by volunteer mentors, organizers, and learners across the country.

Team profiles coming soon.