The School District of Philadelphia’s window for applying to special admissions schools for next year will not open Tuesday, Sept. 8, as previously planned.
Officials said that the 2027-2028 school selection process has been pushed back a month, due to delays in receiving verified state test results. Instead of running from early this month to late October, applications will be accepted from Oct. 5 through Nov. 24, according to the district.
The selection window is important for 8th grade students examining high school options, although it can be used by any family looking to send their child to a school that they are not assigned to by their address, provided there is room.
Data from PSSA and Keystone assessments is typically verified in August, but district representatives said they have been informed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education that 2026 results will not be available until later in the fall.
“This adjustment ensures families have access to official, verified 2026 assessment data when making their school choices,” the district said in a news release.
For example, Julia R. Masterman and Central, two of the system’s most prestigious high schools, last year required incoming students to score in the 80th percentile for English and math. Students submit two years of test results as part of the application process.
“Once the verified 2026 PSSA and Keystone results are released by PDE later this fall, District staff will contact all applicants to assist them with submitting their scores,” the district’s statement continued. “Families do not need to take any action regarding their 2026 assessment scores at this time.”
During the selection window, families can select up to five schools, ranked in order of preference. For more information about the process, go to philasd.org/studentplacement/school-selection.
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