The Philadelphia School District will soon offer a new way to have a say in how Philadelphia school closings, mergers and other transitions happen.
The district announced Thursday that it will soon open applications for 50 transition teams to help manage what comes next for a host of schools — those closing or beginning phaseouts at the end of the 2026-27 school year, and those receiving students from those schools in 2027-28.
The school board voted in April to close 17 Philadelphia schools, some as soon as the end of the 2026-27 school year. It’s also ordering mergers and other changes. The $3 billion plan, whose funding is not assured, also plans for 169 renovation projects at schools around the city.
The plan remains unpopular, with several City Council members still pressuring the district to change course on some closures.
The aim for the transition committees, officials said, it to “bring together students, families, educators, staff, and community partners to provide input, help identify priorities, and support the development of transition plans that reflect the needs of each school community.”
A new school transition office, led by Shakeera Warthen-Canty, will coordinate the work.
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“We know that successful school transitions require more than a plan — they require meaningful partnership with the students, families, staff, and communities who will experience these changes,” Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said in a statement. “This next phase gives communities a clear opportunity to help shape the transition process and ensure that we are planning thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with students at the center.”
The applications will open Aug. 31 and can be filled out through Sept. 18.
Transition committees, made up of up to roughly 20 members, may include teachers and staff, parents and families, community members and students.
Officials said the committees won’t be the only way for people to have their say. School-specific feedback opportunities will be announced later, they said.
The schools forming transition teams are:
Schools closing in 2027-28
Blankenburg
AMY Northwest
Bache-Martin School Fitler Academics Plus School* Harding, Warren G. Middle School Barry, John School Lankenau High School Penn Treaty School Bluford, Guion S. School Morris, Robert School Stetson, John B. Middle School Carnell, Laura H. School Overbrook Elementary School Tilden, William T. Middle School Cassidy, Lewis C. Academics Plus School Parkway Northwest High School Wagner, General Louis School Catharine, Joseph W. School Parkway West High School Cramp, William School Pennypacker, Samuel School Day, Anna B. School Robeson, Paul High School for Human Services Edmonds, Franklin S. School Welsh, John School Ellwood School Hackett, Horatio B. School Waring, Laura W. School (Closing end of SY 30-31)
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