Students and teachers may be off on summer break, but moves are being made that could impact the future of Philadelphia’s schools.
In fact, decisions about education often occur in the warmer months, from state budget negotiations in Harrisburg to preparations for the upcoming academic year. Metro is highlighting a few topics of interest, particularly for families and school staff.
15 new year-round schools
Mayor Cherelle Parker promoted year-round schooling on the campaign trail, and a version of the program was rolled out in the 2024-2025 academic term.
Beginning with 25 schools, the program offered free care before and after class, as well as camps during the winter, spring and summer breaks, to more than 3,000 children, according to the Mayor’s Office.
Now, thanks to nearly $11 million allocated through the city budget process, the initiative, known as Extended Day/Extended Year, is coming to 15 more schools, for a total of 30 public and 10 charter locations.
The new School District of Philadelphia selections are Anne Frank Elementary, Tanner Duckrey, Lewis C. Cassidy Academics Plus, Roberto Clemente Middle, James R. Lowell, Edwin Forrest, Delaplaine McDaniel, James Rhoads, Edward Steel and Frances E. Willard Elementary schools, city officials announced in late June.
Universal Alcorn Charter School, General David B. Birney Charter School, Esperanza Academy Charter School, Harambee Institute of Science and Technology and Wissahickon Charter School are also being added.
School district leaders said 75% of the participants in the EDEY program meet the system’s 90% benchmark for attendance, compared to 61% of students overall.
Provide input on facilities plan
The School District of Philadelphia is holding public meetings as it moves forward with a process to reenvision the use of school buildings across the city, with the potential for closures in the coming years.
A long-awaited facilities planning initiative is expected to produce a report this fall and go before the Board of Education for final approval before the end of year.
“The facilities planning process is positioning us to use our limited staff and facility resources more efficiently by analyzing a complex set of data and using that data to recommend actions – which could include maintaining, modernizing, co-locating, repurposing, or closing – to the Board of Education,” Superintendent Tony Watlington Sr. said in a statement earlier this month.
Feedback sessions began July 7 and are scheduled to continue through next week. Additional meetings are expected in August, district officials said.
In the coming days, opportunities for public engagement will be held Thursday, July 17, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at Andrew Hamilton School, 5640 Spruce St.; Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to noon at Vare-Washington School, 1198 S. 5th St.; Monday, July 21, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at Thomas K. Finletter School, 6101 N. Front St.; Tuesday, July 22, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the district’s headquarters, 440 N. Broad St; Wednesday, July 23, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at Julia De Burgos Elementary, 401 W. Lehigh Ave.; and Thursday, July 24, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Edward T. Steel School, 4301 Wayne Ave.
Shapiro sues Trump over funding
Gov. Josh Shapiro this week joined 25 states in filing a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration in an attempt to free up billions of dollars worth of education funding currently being frozen nationwide.
The U.S. Department of Education decided to withhold $230 million of grants earmarked for Pennsylvania schools on June 30, one day before districts anticipated having access to the money, Shapiro’s team said. Tens of millions of dollars were supposed to come to Philadelphia.
“I’m suing to force the Trump Administration to deliver the money our students and schools were promised and are owed — critical funds that school districts rely on to meet their budgets, train high-quality teachers, provide after-school programs for kids, and so much more,” Shapiro said in a statement Monday. “Because if anyone tries to hurt students here in Pennsylvania, they’ll have to go through me.”
The paused Pennsylvania funding incorporates $70 million in spending through Title II-A, which supports teacher recruitment and professional development, according to the Governor’s Office. Other line items affected include before- and after-school care, career and technical education programs, English language classes, among other services, state officials said.
States were notified that the freeze was due to a “review” designed at “ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities,” CBS News reported.
