Attention families! Will your child be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2024? Do you know about the great Kindergarten options here in Philadelphia? Keep reading to learn more! Experts around the world agree: Attending Kindergarten is of great value to the social, emotional and intellectual development of a child.

In Philadelphia, the options for Kindergarten are many. Explore the list below to find what options are available for your child and your family.

Most urgently:

  • Applications for schools that are outside of your catchment (neighborhood) open at 4 p.m. on September 15, 2023, and are due at 11:59 p.m. on October 27, 2023.
  • For charter schools using the common application, the application opens September 22, 2023 and are due January 22, 2024.
  • Learn more about the School District of Philadelphia school selection process and Application Assistance Labs with this link.  

Note: some charter schools do not use the common application, so please review the links below for more information on individual charter selection dates.

Learn more about your Kindergarten options:
Applications for schools that are outside of your catchment open on September 15, 2023, at 4 p.m. and are due by 11:59 p.m. on October 27, 2023. Learn more and apply here. 
Applications for charter schools that use Apply Philly Charter application open on September 22, 2023, and are due by 11:59 p.m. on January 22, 2024. 
Check back soon to see updated registration dates for Kindergarten at the School District of Philadelphia! Check out last year’s info! 

Explore your catchment area and neighborhood school. 
Apply to charter schools with independent applications starting October 2023. (Register through March 2024 — every charter school with an independent application has its own deadline.) 
Apply to Philadelphia’s Catholic schools.
Apply to Philadelphia’s independent private schools.
Read school reviews and performance reports on Great Philly Schools.
And check out these resources to help get ready for Kindergarten:
Get fun, free, learning tips sent straight to your phone with Ready4K.
Learn about the developmental skills your child will need for Kindergarten with Conquering Kindergarten.
Practice your child’s ABCs with this album.

And don’t forget: before Kindergarten, there’s pre-K!