History of School District of Philadelphia in Timeline

The School District of Philadelphia (SDP), established in 1818, is the largest school district in Pennsylvania and the eighth-largest in the United States. As of 2022, it serves over 197,000 students in Philadelphia's public schools. It encompasses all school district-operated public schools within the city.

1967: Student Demonstration and Riot

In 1967, high school students demonstrated in front of the board of education building, demanding better treatment and funding. The Philadelphia Police Department responded with force, resulting in a riot that left 22 injured and 57 arrested.

1975: Pennsylvania School Funding

In 1975, Pennsylvania provided 55 percent of school funding statewide.

1997: Lawsuit Filed

In 1997, the city and the Philadelphia School District filed a lawsuit contending that Pennsylvania did not provide a "thorough and efficient" education; it was dismissed outright by the state court.

February 1998: Superintendent Threatens School Closures

In February 1998, then-superintendent David Hornbeck threatened to close the city's schools if the state did not provide the funds needed to balance his proposed budget.

April 1998: Pennsylvania General Assembly Legislation

In April 1998, the Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted legislation that led to a takeover plan with six main elements.

1998: Federal Lawsuit

In 1998, Mayor Street launched a federal lawsuit claiming racial discrimination in the way the state funds the Philadelphia school district. In 2001, Mayor Street agreed to postpone the lawsuit for three months.

1998: Lawsuit Filed

In 1998, a second case, a civil rights suit was filed in Federal District Court. The city agreed to put this case on hold when Mayor Street negotiated the "friendly" state takeover of the district, with the promise of additional funding from the state.

June 2000: Superintendent Hornbeck Ends Tenure

In June 2000, under pressure to address fiscal and academic problems, school superintendent David W. Hornbeck ended his six-year tenure. Subsequently, the board of education replaced the superintendent's position with two new positions: a chief academic officer and a chief executive officer.

2000: Expenditures per Student

In 2000, the Philadelphia school district spent $6,969 a year per student, while seventy percent of Philadelphia's students were at or near the poverty line.

December 21, 2001: Declaration of Distress Signed

On December 21, 2001, Secretary Charles Zogby of the Pennsylvania Department of Education signed a Declaration of Distress for the district, triggering the state takeover of the school district from the City of Philadelphia. The state of Pennsylvania formed the School Reform Commission to oversee the troubled public school system.

2001: School Uniforms Required

Beginning in 2001, the School District of Philadelphia required all schools to enact school uniforms or strict dress codes.

2001: Diverse Provider Model Adopted

Following the state takeover in 2001, the School District of Philadelphia adopted the "diverse provider" model, turning over management of some schools to for-profit and nonprofit organizations and universities.

2001: Pennsylvania School Funding

In 2001, Pennsylvania provided less than 36 percent of school funding statewide, contributing to the district's financial deficits.

2001: Budget Deficit and Crisis

In 2001, the Philadelphia School District faced a projected deficit of $216.7 million in its current $1.7 billion budget, leading to a crisis in making payroll and paying vendor bills.

2001: State Takeover

In 2001, the state took over the School District of Philadelphia, granting the governor the authority to appoint a majority of the members of the new School Reform Commission.

2003: Art Collection Worth

In 2003, the school district's art collection, containing about 1,125 paintings, photos, sculptures and other pieces, was estimated to be worth $30 million.

2004: Parent Leadership Academy (PLA)

In 2004, the William Penn Foundation provided outside funding for the Parent Leadership Academy (PLA) to promote parent engagement within the school district.

2006: Parent Appreciation Month

In 2006, the school district, in collaboration with the PA Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC), designated October as Parent Appreciation Month. Activities included Parent Appreciation Day, Superintendent's Closet Fashion Shows, Take a Parent to Work Day, and Superintendent's Home Visits.

2007: Edison Schools Improvements

As of 2007, Edison Schools Inc. had not delivered the promised improvements to the schools it managed within the School District of Philadelphia.

2009: Parent Volunteers Program (PVP) & Superintendent's Roundtable

In 2009, The PA Department of Education provided outside funding for the Parent Volunteers Program (PVP). Also in 2009, Superintendent's Roundtable discussions were held to hear concerns from parents about the quality of education their children were receiving.

2010: School Advisory Councils (SACs)

In 2010, School Advisory Councils (SACs) were modeled after the PA Governor's Institute of Parental Involvement to invite parents, family, and community members to share decision-making with school-based staff.

August 2012: Academic Division Structure Abolished

Prior to August 2012, the School District of Philadelphia was organized into academic division (AD) offices. In August 2012, as part of the Chief Academic Office Reorganization/Transition Proposal, the AD structure was abolished.

June 2013: School District Cuts and Protests

In June 2013, the School District of Philadelphia cut over three thousand employees, including aides that ensured student safety. Parents, students, and employees protested these cuts, including a hunger strike called "Fast for Safe Schools" which began on June 17. On June 28 fifteen politicians fasted for twenty-four hours to show their support. Although Governor Corbett added $140 million to the budget, the safety staff had not been hired back by August.

December 2013: Charter School Enrollment

In December 2013, enrollment in the city's charter schools was 60,774 students.

2013: Art Collection Worth

In 2013, district spokesperson Fernando Gallard estimates the school district's art collection to be worth $2 million.

2014: Languages Spoken by Students

As of 2014, there were 107 languages other than English spoken at home by students in the School District of Philadelphia.

2015: Languages Spoken by Students

As of the 2014–2015 school year, there were 107 languages other than English spoken at home by district students. Spanish speakers made up 52% of the population.

July 2018: School Reform Commission Disbanded

In July 2018, the School Reform Commission (SRC) was disbanded, and control of the School District of Philadelphia was returned to the city and its newly selected Philadelphia School Board.

July 2018: Board of Education Re-established

In July 2018, the board of education was re-established after seventeen years of governance by a School Reform Commission. All members are appointed by the Mayor of Philadelphia and approved by Philadelphia City Council.

September 2019: Student Enrollment

As of September 2019, enrollment in Philadelphia's district schools was 203,225 students.

2020: Philadelphia Census

As of the 2020 census, Philadelphia was the nation's sixth-largest city, and the School District of Philadelphia is the sole school district in the city.

2022: Student Enrollment

In 2022, the School District of Philadelphia served over 197,000 students, making it the largest school district in Pennsylvania and the eighth-largest in the nation.

2023: Accelerate Philly Strategic Plan

In 2023, SDP leadership includes Associate Superintendents of School Performance. This leadership structure aligns to the School District of Philadelphia's 5 year strategic plan. "Accelerate Philly: 2023-2028 Strategic Plan" focuses on "Centering schools and school leadership teams as the units of change", according to its Theory of Action.

2023: SDP Learning Networks

In 2023, each school in the School District of Philadelphia is part of a learning network that is led by an Assistant Superintendent. SDP learning networks include geography-based learning networks, the Acceleration Network, the Innovation Network, and the Opportunity Network.

2024: SDP Learning Networks

During the 2023-2024 school year, geography-based SDP learning networks are numbered (13). Each school in the School District of Philadelphia is part of a learning network that is led by an Assistant Superintendent.