The following students need to register to attend Philadelphia public schools: 

• Philadelphia public school students who have moved to another city neighborhood over the summer.
• Children new to the Philadelphia area.
• Children transferring in from private, parochial or charter school.
• Kindergarten students who were not pre-registered in the Spring.

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to providing a quality education. A critical component of achievement is regular and prompt attendance. It is mandated by the Pennsylvania State Compulsory School Attendance law which requires that:

• Students attend school every day on time.
• Parents/guardians notify the school when their child misses any instructional time. ( Parents/guardians will be notified by the local school by phone and in writing after their child's unlawful absences.)
• A written explanation of the absence or lateness is provided immediately upon the child's return to school. (The District records excused and unlawful absences daily in compliance with the law.)

A child who is absent from or late to school without a valid written reason is considered truant. The District identifies students with 3+ absences and refers those students to the Office of Attendance and Truancy.  If a child is absent unlawfully (truant) the following events will take place:

• Parents/guardians will receive telephone and written notification, be invited to attend a parent teacher conference, be invited to participate in a Comprehensive Student Assistance Process (CSAP) Team meeting or receive a visit from Parent Truancy Officers to determine the nature of the absences.
• A referral may be forwarded to the Department of Human Services, Office of Truancy and Delinquency Prevention and  Truancy Court.
• The student as well as the parent/guardian may be compelled to comply with the procedures and orders of the Family Court's Truancy Program.
• Parents/guardians may be subject to fines, community service or parenting classes.

The School District has separate processes by which children may be transferred to schools other than their neighborhood schools:

Extenuating Circumstances

A parent may obtain from the neighborhood school a copy of the form EH-36E, fill it out and return it to the neighborhood school, along with documentation that: there is physical/psychological danger to the child in the current school; there is a School District Serious Incident report that justifies this move; there is a record of past efforts by the school and parents to remedy the situation, with valid documentation that other alternatives are not available; and the request is for the current school year. School assignments will be made by the Regional Office.  Parents cannot request a specific school.  If a transfer is approved and accepted by the parent, the transfer is permanent unless the parent, at some point in the future, wants the child returned to the neighborhood school.  A parent who is not informed of the results of the request within two weeks of submitting the completed and documented form to the home school should follow up by calling the Regional Office.

Persistently Dangerous Schools 

Each year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania releases a list of persistently dangerous schools.  Parents of children enrolled in a school on this list will receive written notice from the District and may apply any time during the school year for a transfer to another school not on the list.  To apply, obtain form EH-36E from your child’s school and indicate that your child attends a persistently dangerous school in the section entitled “Reason for Request.”  In the District, the highest priorities for transfers are children who have been victims or witnesses of criminal activity and who attend a school on the persistently dangerous schools list.  School assignments will be made by the Office of Student Placement.  Parents may not request a specific school.

Voluntary Transfers

The District accepts applications for voluntary transfers, beginning in September and running through the first Friday in November, for the next school year.  Students, including English language learners and children with disabilities, may apply at this time to: voluntary desegregation program schools; special admission middle schools; and other elementary and middle schools within the School District of Philadelphia.  Parents may obtain the Voluntary Transfer Program Elementary/Middle School Pupil Transfer Application at the current school and at the Office of Student Placement.

High School Applications and Transfers

During the same fall period—September 15 through November 6, 2007—the District accepts High School Admissions applications from current 8th graders for their high school placements for the following year.  At this time applications are also accepted from students in grades 9 through 11 for consideration for placement in high schools outside their neighborhoods, in citywide admission high schools and programs, and in special admission high schools.  Current students may obtain the High School Admissions application from their school counselor.  Students not enrolled in a District school may obtain a High School Admissions application from the Office of Student Placement.  For more information about extenuating circumstances transfers, persistently dangerous schools transfers, voluntary transfers and the high school application process, call the Office of Student Placement, 215-400-4290.

They are schools with structured environments, designed to teach students appropriate and responsible behavior.  Parents cannot enroll their children in this program voluntarily.  Students are referred to alternative schools as a result of Code of Student Conduct Level 2 violations.   Alternative discipline schools feature:  a higher ration of adult staff members to students; behavioral modification programs; additional support services for students and their families; and an academic program that is aligned with standards of the School District of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

All about alternative programs.

The School District of Philadelphia's Re-Engagement  Center provides young people and their families with "one-stop" access to information and placement services leading to re-enrollment in a high school diploma or GED program.  Young people between the ages of 16 and 21 who have disconnected from school can receive referrals to an education program that best fits their needs.  The center also connects youth to comprehensive resources, such as childcare and employment, which support successful educational outcomes.  Youth will receive transition support to help make a successful re-entry into school with the ultimate goal of earning a high school diploma or GED.  You may contact the Center directly at 215-400-6700 or www.projectuturn.com.  The hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.  Appointments are also available in the early morning or evening hours. 

The Center can also provide information for those who are age 21 and older.