{"id":19864,"date":"2025-06-27T19:33:09","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T19:33:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/19864\/"},"modified":"2025-06-27T19:33:09","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T19:33:09","slug":"philadelphia-expands-extended-day-program-to-15-more-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/19864\/","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia expands extended-day program to 15 more schools"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sign up for Chalkbeat Philadelphia\u2019s free newsletter<\/a> to keep up with news on the city\u2019s public school system.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker\u2019s signature \u201cextended day, extended year\u201d school initiative is expanding to 15 new schools next year, even as it remains a far cry from the \u201cyear-round school\u201d she promised on the campaign trail.<\/p>\n

At a City Hall press conference Friday, Parker said the 15 new schools will offer free before- and after-school programs, \u201ccamp experiences\u201d during winter and spring breaks, and will participate in the city\u2019s existing six-week Summer Achievers summer camp<\/a> starting with the 2025-26 school year.<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s announcement brings the total number of schools participating in the extended day, extended year initiative to 40 \u2014 30 district schools and 10 charter schools. It\u2019s jointly funded by the city and school district with a budget of $26.1 million for last year and the expansion.<\/p>\n

Parker said Friday parents \u2014 especially those with busy work schedules \u2014 have told her they are \u201crelieved and inspired by what this program has meant for them.\u201d Superintendent Tony Watlington said there\u2019s been some limited evidence that many of the students who have participated in the program have improved their regular classroom attendance rates.<\/p>\n

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But Parker said she\u2019s also heard from parents who were confused or upset about her campaign-trail promise of \u201cyear-round school\u201d and interpreted it as students sitting at a desk doing strictly academic work for 365 days a year. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not it,\u201d Parker said. <\/p>\n

In its first year, \u201cextended day, extended year\u201d schooling appeared to mostly expand access to enrichment opportunities<\/a> that schools already had in place<\/a>. <\/p>\n

But Parker on Friday characterized before- and after-school care available throughout the year, as well as programming available during holiday breaks, as \u201caccess to year-round education.\u201d <\/p>\n

Asked if she intends for the initiative to move more towards a truly \u201cyear-round\u201d schedule, Parker demurred.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my mind, this is year-round,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

So far, some 3,000 students have participated in the various before and after-school programs offered at the participating schools, Chief Education Officer Debora Carrera said. Officials expect the initiative\u2019s expansion will add 5,000 seats. <\/p>\n

Alison Barnes, principal at Vare-Washington Elementary School in South Philadelphia that participates in the program, said it has been \u201cnothing short of game-changing for our families.\u201d <\/p>\n

Jazmine Rodriguez, a Vare-Washington parent, said the after-care program her fourth-grade daughter participates in through EDEY has been a \u201clifeline.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice knowing that when I get home, homework is completed, she received the help that she needed,\u201d Rodriguez said. \u201cIt just gives more time for family time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new district schools in the program will be:<\/p>\n