is home to 500 public school districts, ranging from small, rural districts with a few hundred students to large, sprawling suburban systems. However, one district stands in a league of its own, holding the undisputed title of the largest school district in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: the School District of Philadelphia.
The sheer size of the School District of Philadelphia is staggering when compared to any other in the state.
- Total Enrollment: The district is responsible for the education of nearly 200,000 students across its district-run, charter, and alternative schools.
- District-Run Schools: For the 2024-2025 school year, enrollment in schools directly operated by the district was approximately 118,000 students.
- Number of Schools: The district operates over 200 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as a variety of alternative and specialty programs.
A League of Its Own: A Statewide Comparison
To put its size in perspective, the School District of Philadelphia is nearly six times larger than the second-largest district in the state.
- #1: School District of Philadelphia: ~118,000 students
- #2: Pittsburgh Public Schools: ~20,000 students
- #3: Central Bucks School District: ~17,500 students
The student population of the School District of Philadelphia alone is larger than the next seven largest districts in the state combined…