PHILADELPHIA — Mayor Cherelle L. Parker today unveiled details for a high-priority Parker Administration initiative – Extended Day, Extended Year School. Today’s announcement is an important component of Mayor Parker’s goal to provide economic opportunity for all Philadelphians. The 2024 pilot program includes 20 schools operated by the School District of Philadelphia and five Charter Schools – for a total of 25 schools.

“A Safer, Cleaner, Greener Philadelphia with Economic Opportunity for All starts with ensuring our children have access to the highest quality education,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “Extended Day, Extended Year school is a high-priority initiative that is based on the needs of working parents, closing the opportunity gap and expanding access to enrichment programs. This program serves as the next step in bringing a unified vision and organizing strategy to Philadelphia’s education system.”

The Extended Day, Extended Year program will support working families and help to meet the need for safe and enriching environments for school-aged children. The program will provide additional opportunities for enrichment, allow students to explore interests to help them develop their passions, and support students’ academic success by keeping them interested and engaged in school. In collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia, the Extended Day, Extended Year program aligns with Superintendent Watlington’s Accelerate Philly agenda and the academic goals of the participating charter schools.

“The School District of Philadelphia is honored to partner with Mayor Parker, the Office of Children and Families and our unions in launching the Extended Day and Extended Year pilot schools to create new opportunities for our students, working families, and school communities as we work collaboratively to become the fastest improving, large urban school district,” said Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D., Superintendent, School District of Philadelphia. “When students participate in high-quality before or after school programming or extracurricular activities, we see better outcomes including math and reading achievement, physical and mental health, school attendance, promotion, graduation, college enrollment, and increased civic engagement.”

“We’re so excited to be a part of Mayor Parker’s expanded learning initiative,” said Mare Shipton, Executive Vice President Youth & Family Services and Data Administration, Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia. “Increased exposure to structured activities coupled with free programming during school breaks helps both students and their families. The opportunity Mayor Parker is giving Community Based Organizations to partner with School District of Philadelphia schools will allow the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia to help the children of Philadelphia reach their full potential, achieve academic success and have fun while doing it.”

The list of participating School District of Philadelphia Schools include:

  • Vare-Washington Elementary School
  • Southwark Elementary School
  • Thomas G. Morton Elementary School
  • George Childs Elementary School
  • Add B Anderson Elementary School
  • Alain Locke Elementary School
  • Samuel Gompers Elementary School
  • Overbrook Educational Center
  • Richard R. Wright Elementary School
  • Edward Gideon Elementary School
  • Solomon Solis-Cohen Elementary School
  • John H. Webster Elementary School
  • Juniata Park Academy
  • William Cramp Elementary School
  • Thomas M. Peirce Elementary School
  • Joseph Pennell Elementary School
  • Franklin S. Edmonds Elementary School
  • Laura Carnell Elementary School
  • Louis Farrell Elementary School
  • Joseph Greenberg Elementary School
The list of participating Charter Schools include:
  • Belmont Charter School
  • Northwood Charter School
  • Pan American Charter School
  • Mastery Pickett (6-8 only)
  • Universal Creighton Charter School
About the program:
  • The Extended Day, Extended Year program is a partnership between the City of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia and is jointly funded.
  • Extended Day, Extended Year school is a voluntary program for families.
  • Extended Day, Extended Year school is targeted towards students in grades K-8.
  • Schools will be open with programming and specialized enrichment five days a week and for six weeks during the summer, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Programming will be provided by trusted community partners with existing relationships with the 25 pilot schools. The program will not require any changes to any collective bargaining agreements.
  • Students will have access to enrichment programs that are determined by the schools and based on the needs and interests of the individual school community.
  • Students will have access to an evidence-based academic support program.
  • Both the City of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia will continue current out-of-school time programs.
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