Cities in Action: Student Reengagement–Philadelphia Supporting Student Reengagement Through Community Schools Model

Overview

City Name: Philadelphia

Population: 1.576 million

Region: Northeast

Problem: Philadelphia students became disengaged from school in significant numbers over the course of the pandemic. Chronic absenteeism increased dramatically, and the City bolstered their Full-Service Community Schools model in response.

Solution: Philadelphia piloted an attendance-focused approach in their Community Schools, increasing support for schools with the highest rates of chronic absenteeism.

Outcome: While data is still being compiled, initial results are promising – one school previously reporting 51% of their students chronically absent noted an increase in the number of students attending >90% of all school days by 15% in the 2022-23 school year.