The 11 Largest Schools In Philadelphia Are Massive

From the Liberty Bell to the famous Philly Cheesesteak, Philadelphia has a rich history and many big-city amenities. Additionally, as the largest city in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia has numerous excellent schools. The Philadelphia City School District has 217 schools and some of the largest schools in Philadelphia have over 3,000 students.

Although some parents may worry their child will become lost in the crowd in a massive school, larger schools often have more academic opportunities and student activities. Keep reading to find out about some of Philadelphia’s largest schools. 

Temple University

1801 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19122

Temple University is a public research university with 39,581 students. Established in 1884, Temple University has grown significantly over the years. They have many long-standing traditions around campus such as the owl mascot, homecoming, and welcome week.

Part of the tradition of Temple University is cultivating academic excellence. They offer over 400 dynamic academic programs throughout their 17 schools and colleges. Temple University also has an honors, international study, and dual degree program.

University of Pennsylvania

1 College Hall #100, Philadelphia, PA 19104

The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League university with 24,960 students. The history of the University of Pennsylvania, often known as Penn, dates back to 1740. Originally, it was meant to be a charity school but after the cost became too much, the school was left unfinished for a decade.

Penn University became what it is today after Benjamin Franklin organized a group of trustees to form an institution of higher education in Philadelphia. He served as the president of the university for four years. Penn now offers 12 schools with various undergraduate and graduate programs. They also have a diverse community and a wide range of student activities.

Notable University of Pennsylvania Alumni

Elon Musk – Owner and purchaser of Space X, Tesla, and Twitter

Shakira – Colombian singer and songwriter

Warren Buffett – CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

Noam Chomsky – American Political philosopher and writer

Doc Holliday – American gunslinger and outlaw known for the events leading up to the gunfight at O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona

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Drexel University

3141 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104

Drexel University is a comprehensive research university serving 24,232 students. They aim to promote student success by providing students with a world-class education and community-based learning opportunities.

96% of undergraduate students from Drexel go on to enroll in a graduate program or professional education. Their pursuit of student success is evident through their unique learning model that includes cooperative education. This model allows students to balance classroom learning experiences with real-world practice.

Michael Anderson – NBA Player

Malik Rose – NBA Player

Chuck Barris – Game show host known for the Newly Wed Game

Paul Baran – Computer scientist known for inventing packet switching within networks

Howard Benson – American music producer and multi-instrumentalist

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Northeast High School

1601 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111

Northeast High School is a public high school in Philadelphia serving 3,348 students. This school ranked as the 4th most diverse public school in Pennsylvania. It’s also one of the oldest high schools in the state.

Northeast High School offers rigorous academic programs including an Advanced Placement, IB, and AVID program. Students are also able to find a program that meets their interests, such as the NEHS Arts Academy or NEHS Fitness and Wellness program. Students are also encouraged to join a number of academic, music, school, or theater clubs. 

Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School

2407 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Philadelphia Performing Arts is the largest K-12 charter school in Philadelphia with 2,595 students. Founded in 2000, this charter school is open to all students within Philadelphia. The mission of Philadelphia Performing Arts is to educate students according to their age and development and preserve their spirit through the arts.

As a fine arts school, they base their educational model on the belief that each student has specific talents and skills that should be nurtured. The educational program at Philadelphia Performing Arts combines academic and artistic excellence. Also, their academic program is divided into three different categories: Arts Immersion, Pre-Majors, and Majors.

Central High School

1700 W Olney Ave 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19141

Central High School is a public high school in Philadelphia with 2,412 students. This high school was founded in 1836 and has ranked as the 2nd standout high school in Pennsylvania. It has also ranked as the 3rd best magnet high school in the state and the 8th best overall public high school.

Central High School is a college-prep school so part of their mission is to challenge students to prepare them for higher education. With a diverse community and excellent support in place, students are able to thrive at Central High School and develop a lifelong love of learning. Their academic program includes an Advanced Placement and IB program.

Mayfair Elementary School

3001 Princeton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19149

Mayfair Elementary School is a public elementary school in Philadelphia with 2,154 students. Their mission is to provide students with educational opportunities that focus on multiculturalism. Additionally, they aim to help students become critical thinkers with a global perspective. 

Mayfair Elementary School includes an IB program to encourage students to challenge themselves and become lifelong learners. In addition to their academic programs, Mayfair Elementary offers the Leader-in-Me student leadership program. This program helps elementary students develop healthy habits and become successful future leaders.

Lincoln High School

3201 Ryan Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19136

Lincoln High School in Philadelphia is a public high school serving 1,962 students. They offer various academic programs for students including Career and Technical Education, an Early Achievement Program, as well as a Credit Recovery and Grade Improvement program.

Students at Lincoln High School are encouraged to build community through numerous clubs and student activities. Some of these clubs include Chess Club, Weight Training, World Language Tutoring, and Robotics. 

First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School

4300 Tacony St, Philadelphia, PA 19124

First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School is a K-12 charter school with 1,812 students. Founded in 2002, their mission is to provide students with a well-balanced literacy-based education. All students at First Philadelphia Preparatory have the opportunity to succeed in academics and the arts.

Part of the success of students is due to the continuity of learning available to students at the school. From kindergarten to 12th grade, students build upon what they learned the previous year. At this charter school, there are also numerous athletic teams and student-centered activities.

Esperanza Academy Charter School

301 W Hunting Park Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19140

Esperanza Academy Charter School is a K-12 school in Philly with 1,660 students. This school aims to provide hope to the community through quality education. The school first opened in 2000 and has previously ranked as one of the best high schools and charter schools in the state.

Part of the mission of Esperanza Academy is to provide a quality education that helps students become critical thinkers and culturally aware citizens. Through a shared building, students at the school also have access to Esperanza College of Eastern University. This is a branch campus of Eastern University and is the only Hispanic Serving Institution in the state.

George Washington High School

10175 Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19116

George Washington High School is a public high school in Philadelphia serving 1,536 students. The vision of George Washington High School is to provide students with the technological and social skills they need for college and their future careers. 

They also aim to provide students with learning opportunities that match their level and unique abilities. Their academic programs include AP courses, an IB program, Dual Enrollment, and Internships. Additionally, they offer opportunities for apprenticeships and numerous community activities.

Find the Best School for Your Child in Philadelphia

In the city of Philadelphia, there’s no shortage of fun or historical activities for families. Aside from the culture of Philadelphia, it’s also a great place to send your children to school, no matter what age they are.
When it comes to the largest schools in Philadelphia, many have rigorous academic programs as well as vibrant student communities. No matter which school you choose, Philadelphia is an excellent place for your child to receive an education.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Gang Liu/Shutterstock.com.