Big Changes Coming for Philadelphia Schools?

The coming years could bring big changes to the Philadelphia School District. On Thursday, the District unveiled a far-reaching set of proposals that have the power to impact up to fifteen schools and 5,000 students. The plans include school openings and closings, as well as conversions between district and charter schools.

The Philadelphia School District is contemplating some major changes.

Summing up the proposed changes, Superintendent William Hite said that the aim was to “enhance and improve educational opportunities,” with a particular focus on attaining greater equity.

The plans call for two new schools to be built: a Science Leadership Academy middle school (SLA-MS) and a Big Picture High School. Between the two, up to 860 students could have new choices for attending school in the area. The SLA middle school would be developed in conjunction with Drexel University and would open in time for the 2016-2017 school year. It would focus on science, technology, math, and entrepreneurship. The Big Picture high school would be in conjunction with the Big Picture nonprofit and would offer project-based learning and internship opportunities to as many as 500 students.

The district would also select three under-performing schools for turnaround programs designed to build a “support framework” for teachers, students, and families.

Additional schools would be expanded as others were phased out, and more charter schools would be added to the equation.

The plans are now in the hands of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission, which will have to decide how to move forward.

What remains unclear in the midst of all these grand proposals is how they would be funded. Philadelphia’s educational budget has been cut in recent years, and budgetary negotiations are at a virtual standstill.