ELEVATE IN ACTION | Connecting Families to Educational Opportunities
In This Issue
This Saturday: Explore 175+ Philadelphia Schools in One Place
Help spread the word that this Saturday, September 19, families can connect with schools, ask questions, and get the information they need for school selection season.
A New Early College School Opens in Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s first new charter school in seven years expands student access to a ‘diploma-plus’ early college model.
Apply Philly Charter Opens September 18
Families can begin applying to 79 participating public charter schools for the 2027–28 school year through one common application.
Help Philadelphia Families Find Their Next School
The 2026 K–12 Philly School Fair is this Saturday! On September 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., thousands of families will come together at the Pennsylvania Convention Center to explore around 175 schools of all types and grade levels—all in one place.
With school selection season almost here, the Fair gives families an opportunity to connect directly with school representatives, ask questions, compare options, and find the information they need to make informed decisions about their children’s education.
You can help us reach even more families. Share the Fair poster and link to the Fair website with your networks, colleagues, friends, and families so they know about this free opportunity to explore Philadelphia’s educational options.
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). The school opened its doors on August 24 to 224 students in grades 6 and 9 and plans to grow to serve more than 750 students in grades 6–12 by 2030.
ECPHL is Philadelphia’s first new charter school in seven years and expands access to a ‘diploma-plus’ model that lets students earn college credits—up to an associate’s degree—and/or career certifications while earning their high school diploma, at no cost to families.
Elevate 215 provided a grant to support the launch of ECPHL. The investment reflects our broader commitment to supporting the development and growth of public schools and educational models that expand the range of options available to Philadelphia students.
Apply Philly Charter Opens September 18
The Apply Philly Charter application window for the 2027–28 school year opens September 18, giving Philadelphia families a single place to apply to 79 public charter school campuses across the city. Families can research their options, submit applications, and rank up to 15 schools based on their own preferences.
Families have until January 15, 2027, to submit their applications and make changes to their school rankings before the deadline.
The K–12 Philly School Fair takes place the day after the application window opens, giving families an opportunity to continue exploring their options before submitting or finalizing their Apply Philly Charter rankings.