From PhillyVoice · · 1m 20s
Philly Girls High Overwhelmed by Freshman Surge
Philadelphia's Girls High school faces overcrowded classrooms as freshman enrollment triples.
In brief
Philadelphia's Girls High school faces overcrowded classrooms as freshman enrollment triples. Girls High's freshman class has 250 students, triple the size of three years ago, causing overcrowded classrooms despite district efforts to hire staff. Originally reported by PhillyVoice.
Girls High freshman class triples
This year's freshman class has 250 students, triple the size of three years ago.
Principal KaTiedra Argro leads enrollment push
Argro became principal in 2024 after a sharp enrollment decline.
Classrooms packed with 55 students
History sections hold 55 students, exceeding the 33-student class size limit.
District underestimated enrollment
District officials expected 20 fewer freshmen than the actual 250.
AP macroeconomics canceled
The AP macroeconomics class with nine students was canceled to add African American history sections.
Teacher Chris Canary's concern
Canary says adding one teacher isn't enough for 54-student African American history classes.
Students report overcrowding
Students say classrooms get too loud and rowdy with 46 students.
District approves new teacher
District allows hiring an additional teacher to reduce class sizes to 33.
Enrollment strategy success
Argro reduced no-shows with March events and summer orientations.
Class size limit challenge
The union contract sets a 33-student class size limit but district staffing lagged.
What happens next
One new teacher will start next week to address overcrowding.
Here's the gist
Girls High's freshman class has 250 students, triple the size of three years ago, causing overcrowded classrooms despite district efforts to hire staff.
