On September 3, Philadelphia Mayor Parker launched the Extended Day/Extended Year (EDEY) program in 25 schools. This initiative extends school hours from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. It aims to support working families and enhance students’ school experiences with more extracurricular activities, according to the City of Philadelphia.
Extended access to schools can boost student engagement and achievement. The EDEY program will offer sports, arts, and coding to spark new interests. These programs are free and voluntary, but families must register their children to participate. Families can sign up for before-school and after-school care at 20 Philadelphia School District schools and five charter schools. These programs are run by trusted nonprofits integrated into the school communities. Starting in the 2024–2025 school year, the pilot schools will also offer care on half days, during winter and spring breaks, and for six weeks in the summer.
Seats in the program will remain available until filled, with new activities added throughout the year. Additionally, the city offers Out-of-School Time (OST) programs at over 100 sites for families seeking specialized extracurriculars. Interested families can use the city’s OST Program Locator to find the best options.
The program includes schools from various council districts, such as Vare-Washington Elementary in District 1, and charter schools like Mastery Pickett and Universal Creighton Charter School. Full enrollment details and a list of participating schools are available on the City of Philadelphia's official announcement.
