The School District Of Philadelphia

The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) is the public school system serving the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established in 1818, it is the largest school district in Pennsylvania and the eighth-largest in the United States. It educates over 197,000 students as of the 2022–2023 school year.

SDP operates a diverse array of educational institutions, including 217 district schools, 83 charter schools, and 29 alternative schools. The district offers education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. It aims to provide a high-quality education that prepares students for lifelong learning and productive citizenship.

Mission and Goals

The district's mission is to deliver on the civil right of every child to a strong, lifelong foundation. It ensures all children graduate from high school ready to succeed. SDP focuses on improving academic performance, enhancing school facilities, and fostering community engagement.

Challenges Faced

In recent years, the district has faced significant challenges, such as a $442 million budget gap for the 2025–2026 school year. This shortfall threatened to undermine recent academic progress. Superintendent Tony Watlington emphasized the need for increased state funding to maintain and enhance educational programs.

Additionally, the district has been under scrutiny for handling environmental safety concerns. Federal prosecutors charged the district with failing to properly inspect eight schools for damaged asbestos, violating the federal Toxic Substances Control Act. This was the first time a U.S. school district faced criminal allegations over environmental safety.

Student Outcomes

Despite these challenges, SDP has made strides in improving student outcomes.

• Four-year graduation rates for district-led and alternative schools reached 77% last year, up from 71% the previous year.
• The district continues to focus on enhancing academic achievement and community involvement.

Locations

• Philadelphia, PA, USA
• Gloucester City, NJ, USA

The School District of Philadelphia continues to strive toward providing equitable and quality education to all students. It addresses financial and safety challenges while working to enhance academic achievement and community involvement.