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Fall is School Selection in Philadelphia

Follow these deadlines and information below to apply to your selected schools today!

The application for scholarships provided by the Childrens Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP) opens. Find the scholarship application, and contact CSFP with questions about eligibility, renewal, and 160+ partner schools.

Apply to public District schools for admission in September 2023 through the school district’s School Selection process. Students in K-12 can choose to apply to neighborhood schools and the criteria based city-wide and special admission schools. 

Apply to most Philadelphia charter schools admissions’ lotteries for the 2024-2025 School Year with Apply Philly Charter.

The deadline for submitting an application to School District of Philadelphia schools for admission September 2024. 

To increase your chances of being selected, apply before this deadline for consideration in CSFP’s December and March lottery. Find CSFP scholarship applications.

The online writing sample is required for current 8th grade students, who are applying for admission to the 9th grade in one of the five high schools listed below for the 2023-2024 school year:

  • Central High School
  • George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science
  • Julia R. Masterman High School
  • The Academy at Palumbo High
  • Parkway Center City Middle College

Once the Selection Application window has closed, any student who has chosen one of the 5 high schools listed above will be asked to write and submit a proctored writing sample to be considered as a candidate for those schools.

  • Students will participate in a proctored, online writing sample during the school day at their current school.
  • Your school is responsible for ensuring all interested 8th grade students complete the online writing sample. Contact your school counselor with any questions.

More information at the School District Website.

The online writing sample is required for current 8th grade students, who are applying for admission to the 9th grade in one of the five high schools listed below for the 2022-2023 school year:

  • Central High School
  • George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science
  • Julia R. Masterman High School
  • The Academy at Palumbo High
  • Parkway Center City Middle College

More information at the School District Website.

Deadline for finanical aid applications for most Private and Parochial Schools. It’s also best to complete the admissions applications for archdiocese schools by December 31.

The deadline for submitting an Apply Philly Charter application to included in schools lotteries held in Feburary. You can apply after the deadline. If a school has space available, applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For schools that do not have space available, applicants will be placed on a waitlist.

Pre-K Registration: PHLpreK is available to 3 and 4 year old children who reside in the City of Philadelphia. School-based PreK, Pre-K Counts, Bright Futures, and Head Start are also free preschool programs in the city of Philadelphia open to eligible families. Read Applying to Pre-K Counts, Head Start & Bright Futures for more information and to apply.

Kindergarten Registration: Students who are 5 on or before September 1st, are eligible to register for Kindergarten at their neighborhood school. To apply, you can now complete the process entirely online. For information about registration in your neighborhood school visit Thrive at Five. Learn more about your kindergarten options and registration.

Renaissance Charter School Applications: Register at your neighborhood Renaissance charter school for enrollment. Submit an application through applyphillycharter.org and the school will contact you with details to register and enroll.

To find a school or early childhood center near you, check out our Find a School tool.

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