This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
by Charlotte Pope
The deadline for applications to attend citywide admission or special admission high schools, or to transfer to District neighborhood schools is Friday, Nov. 30.
All students in grades 8 through 11, including English language learners and children with disabilities, may apply to neighborhood high schools outside their neighborhood attendance area and citywide and special admission high schools.
Parents and students can mail their applications to the Office of Student Enrollment and Placement, but they must be postmarked by Nov. 30. Applications received via mail after the postmark date will not be accepted.
Applying to a high school or transferring schools can be a complicated task, but the Notebook’s Fall Guide to High Schools can help make that process easier.
The fall guide lists nearly 90 high school options, organized by type of high school (special admission, citywide admission, neighborhood, and charter). Individual school profiles provide admission requirements, data about enrollment, and details of academic programs and extracurricular activities offered. The guide also includes articles that discuss the application process, how to prepare for the transition into high school, and how to identify which schools are a good fit for you.
Parents and students can also find school choice information at the Philadelphia School Partnership website GreatPhillySchools, a free resource that compares more than 400 K-12 schools in the city, with ratings and information on District, charter, Catholic, and private schools.
For more information on voluntary transfers or the high school application process, call the Office of Student Placement at 215-400-4290.