A New Early College School Opens in Philadelphia
Philadelphia welcomed a new public charter school this school year with the opening of Early College Charter School of Philadelphia (ECPHL). ECPHL opened its doors on August 24 to 224 students in grades 6 and 9. The school plans to add grades in the coming years, eventually serving more than 750 students in grades 6–12 by 2030.
Approved by the Board of Education for the School District of Philadelphia in May 2025, ECPHL is Philadelphia’s first new charter school in seven years and expands access to the “diploma-plus” early college model.
Through the model, ECPHL plans to work with college, credentialing, and industry partners to provide students with the ability to earn college credits—up to an associate’s degree—and/or career certifications while earning their high school diploma, at no cost to families.
“We are ready to empower students—particularly those who have been historically underserved—with the academic and professional preparation needed to graduate high school with college credits, career readiness, and a clear path to greater economic mobility,” said Keshema Davidson, co-founder and CEO of ECPHL.
Elevate 215 provided a grant to support the school’s launch. The investment is part of Elevate 215’s broader work to support the development and growth of public schools and educational models that expand the range of options available to Philadelphia students.
