Philadelphia Public Schools
For 40 years, Philadelphia was under a court order to desegregate its schools.
Starting June 3, families will be able to use one, streamlined application for the city’s free early childhood education programs. Preschool teachers will be eligible for new retention bonuses worth up to $2,000.
The “Summer Achievers” program will start in June and offer a mix of academics and camp-like activities. It could set the table for new schedules at 20 schools in 2025-26.
Some residents are also pushing the City Council to increase the share of property taxes that go to public schools.
The district and school board have already held several meetings and votes on their $4.5 billion budget.
The City Council will not vote to confirm Joyce Wilkerson’s appointment to the school board. But Mayor Cherelle Parker plans to put her on the board anyway.
The new school board, nominated by Mayor Cherelle Parker, will be seated on May 1 and have its first action meeting May 30.
City Council gave their final approval to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s eight school board picks on Thursday, but Joyce Wilkerson’s nomination is still deferred.
Former Board President Joyce Wilkerson’s nomination by Mayor Cherelle Parker was deferred, and city officials expressed displeasure about the district’s charter school policy.
Gov. Josh Shapiro says the testing change will mean less time spent preparing for the tests and more time for actual learning.
Parents, teachers, and others have long criticized the practice of reassigning teachers after the school year has begun. But it’s unclear if ‘leveling’ is gone for good or merely paused.
Parker’s plan includes assigning more police to school beats, more closely monitoring shooting threats on social media, and more.
Philadelphia schools use senior dues to pay for graduation expenses, class gifts, luncheons, and more. Tell us how much your school is charging and what the dues cover.
Board nominees picked by Cherelle Parker indicated support for her push for year-round school, but the idea faces several challenges.
Juntos, una organización que aboga por los derechos de los inmigrantes, descubrió que las escuelas no tienen recursos, capacitación ni el apoyo adecuados para ayudar a los estudiantes recién llegados a aclimatarse y tener éxito.
Mayor Cherelle Parker’s picks include the current board president and two people with strong ties to charter schools. If the City Council confirms her nominees, they’ll start their terms May 1.
Philadelphia school board adopts $4.5 billion 2025 budget
Juntos, an immigrant rights organization, found schools lack the proper resources, training, and support to help newcomer students acclimate and succeed.
The program, called Handle With Care, involves referrals by police to schools when law enforcement encounters children at traumatic events like domestic violence or sudden deaths.
Northeast High School Principal Omar Crowder said the school has provided additional mental health services and police patrols near the school have increased after a shooting wounded eight students March 6.