Philadelphia plans to close 17 neighborhood public schools – here’s what went wrong when it shuttered 30 schools in 2013

Nearly one-third of Philadelphia schools closed in 2013 still sit vacant while cyber charters banked millions in revenue.

By: Julia McWilliams, University of Pennsylvania, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: June 4, 2026

Words: 1,530

Last Updated: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

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By Julia McWilliams, University of Pennsylvania

The Philadelphia School Board voted in May 2026 to close 17 of its 218 schools. Seven are elementary schools, five are middle schools and five are high schools. Additionally, three other high schools will move into existing schools and share buildings.

I am an educational anthropologist and co-author of “Schools for Sale,” a forthcoming book that examines what happened during Philly’s last wave of mass school closures, …

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