About Us

The School District of Philadelphia is the eighth largest school district in the nation, by enrollment. Located in a historic and culturally rich setting, we are a racially and ethnically diverse community committed to education. We are students, parents, teachers, staff, and community members; we are the School District of Philadelphia.

Our Mission

The mission of the School District of Philadelphia is to provide a high-quality education that prepares, ensures, and empowers all students to achieve their full intellectual and social potential in order to become lifelong learners and productive members of society.

Our Vision

We believe all children can reach their learning potential and that the achievement gap can be eliminated. The School Reform Commission is responsible for that improvement and is obligated to support the District's mission. The Commission commits itself to raising student achievement through District-wide reforms and restructuring measures. We have done much but we have a long way to go.

Governance

The School District of Philadelphia is governed by a five-member School Reform Commission (SRC), established in December 2001, when oversight of the School District shifted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Governor of Pennsylvania appoints three of the SRC members, while the Mayor of Philadelphia appoints two members of the commission.
More about the School Reform Commission (SRC)

School Finder

Need help identifying your neighborhood school? Visit School Finder, enter your address and the neighborhood schools in your catchment area will be identified.

A Snapshot of the District

Take a look at the School District of Philadelphia, the eighth largest in the nation by enrollment, serving a racially and ethnically diverse student population.  View Snapshot!

Budget

Fiscal Year 2011 – 12 Adopted Operating Budget
Includes grants
$2,771 million

Additional Budget Information

Source of School District Operating Revenues

Source Percentage
City
Tax and non-tax
33%
State 48%
Federal 19%

Enrollment - District Schools

Data as of December 6, 2012

Number of K-12 Students 137,512
Number of Pre-K (Early Childhood) Students 8,392
Number of Alternative Education Students 3,631
Total number of Students 149,535
Demographics (K-12 only) Students Percentage
African American 74,977 54.52%
Asian/Pacific Islanders 10,768 7.83%
Caucasian/Euro-American 19,669 14.30%
Hispanic/Latino/a 25,524 18.56%
Multiracial/Other 6,314 4.59%
Native American 246 0.18%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 14 0.01%
Grade Spans Students Percentage
Kindergarten 13,119 9.54%
Grades 1-5 58,512 42.55%
Grades 6-8 28,567 20.77%
Grades 9-12 36,551 26.58%
Ungraded 763 0.55%
Grades Students Percentage
Kindergarten 13,119 9.54%
Grade 1 12,774 9.29%
Grade 2 12,099 8.80%
Grade 3 11,778 8.57%
Grade 4 11,459 8.33%
Grade 5 10,402 7.56%
Grade 6 9,938 7.23%
Grade 7 9,291 6.76%
Grade 8 9,338 6.79%
Grade 9 10,313 7.50%
Grade 10 9,512 6.92%
Grade 11 8,708 6.33%
Grade 12 8,018 5.83%
UG 763 0.55%
Special Programs Students Percentage
Promise Academies 4,692 3.41%
Other Categories Students Percentage
English Language Learner Students 11,658 8.48%
Students with Disabilities 19,210 13.97%
Students who are Mentally Gifted 4,296 3.12%
Economically Disadvantaged Students 113,035 82.20%

Schools (2012-2013)

Includes Promise Academies and excludes Early Childhood, Alternative Education Programs, and Charter Schools

Type Schools
Elementary 163
Middle 23
High School 56
All SDP Schools 242
Adequate Yearly Progress Schools
Number of Schools making AYP
Out of 250 schools in 2011-2012 school year
33
Percentage of Schools making AYP 13%
SDP Schools in School Improvement
Includes schools Corrective Action and Making Progress
138

Additional School Information

Charter Schools

Data as of December 6, 2012

Number of Charter Schools 84
Number of Charter School Students 55,625
Demographics (All Charters) Students Percentage
African American 34,944 62.82%
Asian/Pacific Islanders 1,614 2.90%
Caucasian/Euro-American 8,113 14.59%
Hispanic/Latino/a 9,280 16.68%
Multiracial/Other 1,514 2.72%
Native American 156 0.28%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 4 0.01%
Grade Spans Students Percentage
Kindergarten 4,267 7.67%
Grades 1-5 19,707 35.43%
Grades 6-8 14,297 25.70%
Grades 9-12 17,354 31.20%
Grades Students Percentage
Kindergarten 4,267 7.67%
Grade 1 4,005 7.20%
Grade 2 4,036 7.26%
Grade 3 3,733 6.71%
Grade 4 3,692 6.64%
Grade 5 4,241 7.62%
Grade 6 4,701 8.45%
Grade 7 4,936 8.87%
Grade 8 4,660 8.38%
Grade 9 5,223 9.39%
Grade 10 4,567 8.21%
Grade 11 3,952 7.10%
Grade 12 3,612 6.49%
Special Programs Students Percentage
Students in Renaissance Charters 9,725 17.48%
Other Categories Students Percentage
English Language Learner Students 2,106 3.79%
Students with Disabilities 8,107 14.57%
Students who are Mentally Gifted 196 0.35%

Employees

Data as of November 30, 2012

Number of Employees 20,309
Number of Teachers 9,552
Number of Principals and Assistant Principals 471

Students Transported Daily

Data as of January 3, 2013

District Students 16,235
Charter Students 14,487
Private/Parochial 8,672
Total Students on Yellow Buses
Includes public, charter, private and parochial students
39,394
Total Students Riding Public Transportation for Free 62,214

Additional Transportation Information

School Meals Served Daily

Data as of January 3, 2013

Schools with Universal Free Meal Program
Includes 13 Charter Schools
203
Free breakfasts served daily 61,000
Free lunches served daily 78,800
Reduced-price lunches served daily 8,400

Additional Food Services Information