# Parents Wait for Hackett School Expansion Plan

> Philly parents still waiting for district to explain K-8 school expansion plans.
- Title: Parents Wait for Hackett School Expansion Plan · PhillyVoice
- Summary: Philly parents still waiting for district to explain K-8 school expansion plans. Philly parents remain uncertain about how Horatio B. Hackett School will…
- Keywords: horatio b hackett school, kensington, philly school district, school expansion, transition committee, autistic support program, grade expansion, news, local, Parents, Wait, Hackett
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/parents-horatio-b-hackett-school-expansion
- Published: 2026-10-20T21:45:59.892+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: horatio b hackett school, kensington, philly school district, school expansion, transition committee, autistic support program, grade expansion, news, local
## Hackett School Transition
Horatio B. Hackett School in Kensington will transition to K-8 program starting 2027-2028.

> They've created a great environment (at Hackett)
## Parent Concerns
Parents still waiting for district to explain how school will accommodate expansion after $3 billion facilities plan approved.
## Moffet Elementary Change
Moffet Elementary parents suggested Hackett become K-8 school to avoid sending kids to other schools.
## District Tradeoffs
District says transitioning Hackett to K-8 would require eliminating specialized programs including Autistic Support and Life Skills Support.

> Determining whether a school can serve as a K-8 is not solely a matter of available physical space
## District Change
District changed course one month after initial recommendation to make Hackett K-8 school impossible.
## Transition Committee
20-member transition teams to address grade expansion challenges open applications Aug 31 to Sept 18.
## Parent Uncertainty
Parents say district lacks clarity on who will be picked for transition committee and when answers will come.
## Space Concerns
Some parents believe Hackett may not have space for eighth graders and students could be diverted to Henry A. Brown Elementary School.
## Email Responses
Parents sent dozens of emails to district over five months with only two getting responses.

> They're acting more like an insurance company than an advocate for our children
## Application Status
Parents applying for transition committee told they will be notified by early October about selection status.
## School Choice
Some parents considering applying children to other middle schools due to uncertainty about Hackett's future.
## District Response
District says specific building modifications premature to discuss while implementing facilities plan.
## Parent Decision
Parents feel uncomfortable applying children to Hackett without knowing future of school program.
## What Happens Next
Parents may have to choose between staying at Hackett or applying to other schools for middle grade placement.
## Key takeaway

Philly parents remain uncertain about how Horatio B. Hackett School will accommodate K-8 expansion after district approved $3 billion facilities plan.