News Summary
Philadelphia has expanded its Extended Day, Extended Year program to 40 schools, now serving over 12,000 students. The initiative provides free before- and after-school care and camp experiences during breaks, addressing the opportunity gap for families. Funded by $26.1 million, it highlights the city’s commitment to educational access and support for working parents, offering various enrichment activities. New schools will launch in September, aiming to benefit more families and improve student outcomes across the city.
Philadelphia – The City of Philadelphia has expanded its popular Extended Day, Extended Year program to include 15 additional schools, bringing the total number of participating schools to 40. This initiative aims to address the opportunity gap for students by offering free before- and after-school care as well as camp experiences during winter, spring, and summer breaks.
The program, which is now serving 12,355 students across these 40 schools, is funded by a significant investment of $26.1 million. City officials reported that 75% of students involved in the program met the district’s attendance benchmark through June, indicating a successful outcome for participants. The previous year saw the program operating in 25 schools, showcasing substantial growth with the latest additions.
Superintendent Tony Watlington highlighted the program’s benefits, particularly for working parents, as it provides essential childcare while also offering a variety of enrichment activities. These activities include STEM, chess, and sports, allowing many students to engage in experiences that were previously accessible only at a cost, now offered for free.
Among the newly added public schools are:
- Anne Frank School
- Frances Willard School
- Edward Steel School
- James Rhoads School
- Delaplaine McDaniel School
- Edwin Forrest School
- James Lowell School
- Roberto Clemente School
- Lewis Cassidy Academics Plus School
- Tanner Duckrey School
The initiative also includes new participation from charter schools such as:
- Wissahickon Charter
- Harambee Institute of Science and Technology Charter
- Esperanza Academy Charter
- General David B. Birney Charter
- Universal Alcorn Charter
The program is designed not only to keep students engaged academically during school breaks but also to provide crucial support for families in Philadelphia. Responding to a clear demand from families for extended day services, city officials are prioritizing the enrichment and education of students during hours outside the traditional school day.
Mayor Cherelle Parker clarified that the Extended Day, Extended Year program does not represent a true year-round school. Instead, it is an extension of traditional schooling that offers additional childcare options and enrichment opportunities to support students’ educational journeys. The new schools are set to officially launch their programs in September, ensuring more families can benefit from these essential services.
The expansion of this program is indicative of the city’s commitment to improving educational access and outcomes for all students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. By enhancing services and opportunities offered to students, Philadelphia aims to foster an environment where every child can thrive and achieve their full potential.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Philadelphia
- Wikipedia: Education in the United States
- CBS News
- Google Search: Extended School Programs Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Inquirer
- Google Scholar: Extended Day Programs Education
- KYW Newsradio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- CBS News Video
- Google News: Philadelphia Extended Day Program
Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER
PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.
