# Philly Girls High Overwhelmed by Freshman Surge

> Philadelphia's Girls High school faces overcrowded classrooms as freshman enrollment triples.
- Title: Philly Girls High Overwhelmed by Freshman Surge · PhillyVoice
- Summary: Philadelphia's Girls High school faces overcrowded classrooms as freshman enrollment triples. Girls High's freshman class has 250 students, triple the size…
- Keywords: girls high, philly, freshman enrollment, classroom overcrowding, enrollment surge, district staffing, class size limit, ap macroeconomics, african american history, news, local, Girls
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/freshman-enrollment-surge-girls-high-classroom
- Published: 2026-09-27T09:01:00.273+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: girls high, philly, freshman enrollment, classroom overcrowding, enrollment surge, district staffing, class size limit, ap macroeconomics, african american history, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Girls High's freshman class has 250 students, triple the size of three years ago, causing overcrowded classrooms despite district efforts to hire staff.