PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — An embattled charter school in Port Richmond is closing next week, and the School District of Philadelphia is preparing to run it again.
The last day of classes at Memphis Street Academy charter school is June 12. In the fall, it will reopen as the district-run Memphis Street Middle School.
In 2012, the district converted what was then John Paul Jones Middle School into a charter under its Renaissance Schools Initiative. In 2022, the Philadelphia School Board voted to execute a surrender clause in the charter because of poor academic performance.
Charter operator American Paradigm sued the district in federal court but lost, and was denied on appeal. CEO Ashley Redfearn said the school’s 56 employees have been offered positions at the organization’s three other Philly schools.
She said the school, which serves 500 fifth- through eighth-graders, plans to continue providing community services, including a health center and food programs, for as long as possible.
“The least amount of disruption is really important,” she said. “Families don’t have a lot of capacity for more stress in their lives.
“We still care and we’re going to be there as much as we can. And when it’s time for us to move aside, we’re going to do it respectfully and professionally.”
In a statement, the district said it is collaborating with Memphis Street Academy on the transition process.
