Philasd.org

Philasd.org

The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) is the largest school district in Pennsylvania and the eighth-largest in the United States, serving over 197,000 students across Philadelphia. Here is a comprehensive overview of the key aspects of the School District of Philadelphia based on the information from philasd.org:

Mission and Vision

The district's mission is to work urgently to provide every student with the opportunity to achieve positive life outcomes in partnership with diverse families, educators, and community members. Their vision is to prepare students to imagine and realize any future they desire.

Governance and Leadership

- The district is governed by a 9-member Board of Education appointed by the Mayor of Philadelphia and approved by City Council.

- The current Superintendent is Dr. Tony B. Watlington Sr., who leads the district's executive leadership team.

- The district is organized into learning networks led by Assistant Superintendents, to whom school principals report.

Strategic Plan

The district has a 5-year strategic plan called "Accelerate Philly: 2023-2028" which focuses on:

- Centering schools and school leadership teams as the units of change - Improving student achievement and outcomes - Enhancing equity and access

Key Statistics (2024-2025 data)

- Total student enrollment: 198,299 - District & alternative schools: 117,956 students - Charter schools: 63,964 students - Total number of schools: 331 - Languages spoken by students/families: 130+

Academic Programs

- The district offers a wide range of academic programs including:

 - Advanced Placement courses 
 - Career and Technical Education programs
 - International Baccalaureate programs
 - Special education and services for diverse learners

Curriculum and Instruction

- The Office of Curriculum and Instruction develops instructional programming across subjects like English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. - There is a focus on collaborative learning, critical thinking, and inclusive practices.

Student Services and Resources

- Attendance & truancy support - Mental health and behavioral support through the Office of Prevention & Intervention - Resources for immigrant students and families - Special education services - College and career readiness programs

Family and Community Engagement

- The Office of Family & Community Engagement (FACE) works to foster partnerships between schools, families and the community. - Resources are provided in multiple languages to support diverse families.

School Selection Process

- Students can apply to attend schools outside their neighborhood catchment area through an annual school selection process. - This uses a centralized lottery system and applies specific criteria for some schools.

Goals and Accountability

- The district has set specific goals around improving student proficiency in reading, math, and other subjects by 2030. - There are also "guardrails" in place focused on creating welcoming and supportive school environments.

Technology and Data

- The district provides resources like Chromebooks to support student learning. - There is a focus on using data to drive continuous improvement, with various public data dashboards available.

In summary, the School District of Philadelphia is a large urban district working to improve student outcomes through strategic planning, diverse academic offerings, family engagement, and data-driven decision making. The district faces challenges but aims to become the fastest improving large urban school district in the country.