PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 14, 2022- Elevate 215 and GreatPhillySchools Executive Director Dr. Stacy E. Holland was joined by Superintendent Dr. Tony B. Watlington Sr. and school leaders to celebrate the start of the 2022 Philly High School Fair. The fair returned to full in-person attendance this weekend, Friday, October 14 from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, October 15 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia.
“Exploring the many high school options in Philadelphia can be a challenging task. The high school fair provides families with support and resources in one place to find the right school for their child,” said Dr. Stacy E. Holland, Executive Director of Elevate 215. “The fair helps families navigate the high school selection process and learn about the various options available. With school representatives on hand to provide one-on-one support, answer questions, and help students apply right there on the spot, our goal is to make the process as easy as possible for all Philadelphia families to find a great school.”
The annual High School Fair gives prospective high school students and their guardians a chance to learn more about the surrounding high schools in their neighborhood and beyond. More than 100 high schools attended the fair, with over 9,000 students and families signing up to attend.
“This event plays an important role in our larger approach as a school district to make sure all students have access to a great school close to where they live,” added Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D. “Our first goal is to make sure that all of our schools provide a high quality education. As we work toward that goal, we need to ensure that students from all backgrounds have access to great schools and that they are able to access schools that engage and nurture their passions.”
Students and guardians are offered a chance to meet directly with representatives from each school to learn more about academics, extracurricular activities, clubs,
sports teams, and more. An application station with laptop computers is available as well, giving students a chance to apply to the school of their choice on the spot.
“Philadelphia has excellent high schools that offer families and students experiences and opportunities that set them up for success in college, career, and beyond,” shared Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (At-Large) Chair of City Council Education Committee. “I know that the last few years have brought with them many challenges for the children and families in our City, but events like this serve as a showcase for the many great schools, the talented educators, and opportunities that are available across our city for the young people who need them most.”
There are about 17,000 8th graders currently in Philadelphia, and typically about 85% of them choose to attend a school outside of their assigned neighborhood school. The strong attendance and engagement throughout the weekend points to how much Philadelphia families value the in-person opportunity to engage with schools.
“We have hundreds of 8th graders who will be applying to and attending high schools across the city,” said Natalie Wiltshire, COO of KIPP Public Philadelphia Schools. “Empowering our families with the resources and tools to explore their options is essential to our work so our students can pursue choice-filled lives. A fair like this is an amazing opportunity for them to identify the school or schools that may be right for them.”
The virtual fair at Phillyhighschoolfair.com remains an option for any families who couldn’t attend in person. Families can also learn more about school options at greatphillyschools.org.
About GreatPhillySchools
GreatPhillySchools’ (GPS) mission is to make school information accessible so Philadelphia families can find, compare and demand great schools for their students. In service of this mission, GPS provides free resources to Philadelphia families, which include the greatphillyschools.org website, K-12 school print guides, early childhood toolkits, school fairs, and other informational newsletters and articles.
About Elevate 215
Elevate 215 is a catalyst for preparing students for the world of tomorrow by modernizing the learning experience in Philadelphia schools today. We do this by: investing in schools and talent, collaborating with our partners, expanding access and resources for families, and advocating to create the conditions for success.
