PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia school buildings are open for hybrid education, but a majority of students are opting to stay digital, according to the School District of Philadelphia.
Districtwide, only 27% of eligible students chose to return to their school buildings.
“In the grand scheme, the number of students who have returned is about 26,000 out of almost 95,000 (or) 96,000,” Superintendent William Hite told reporters.
On Monday, hybrid education begins for sixth- through ninth-graders and high school students with complex needs. However, Hite said only 6,800 students in that group of 35,000 have opted to go back to classrooms.
Younger students resumed hybrid classes in March.
“Pre-K started at a much lower number than it is now,” Hite said. “As children started to come back, more pre-K and kindergarten families wanted their children to return as well.”
The 27% figure could increase if classroom space becomes available, Hite noted.
“In most cases, spaces are available,” he added. The district is aiming for a five-day-a-week in-person schedule in the fall, but Hite has said nothing is definite.