Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia school catchment rules for movers

See the exact Philadelphia address-based catchment and outside-catchment school-selection rules.

Quick answer

See the exact Philadelphia address-based catchment and outside-catchment school-selection rules.

Source-first Reviewed Jul 2026
Exact district rule

The School District of Philadelphia: what the rule actually says

A Philadelphia home address automatically determines the student's catchment school. No School Selection application is required to attend that catchment school; the family may register online or directly with the school. To request a district school outside the assigned catchment, the family uses the School Selection process and placement depends on available space and that school's criteria.

Answer type: exact enrollment ruleDistrict: The School District of PhiladelphiaPolicy basis: 2026-27Reviewed July 28, 2026

Assignment rules at a glance

These are the district-specific fields that determine what happens after an address or school request is submitted.

Catchment schoolAutomatically assigned from the home address.
Catchment enrollmentNo School Selection application is required.
RegistrationComplete it online or directly at the neighborhood catchment school.
Outside catchmentUse School Selection; placement is not automatic.

Moving checklist

  1. Use the new address in the district School Finder.
  2. Register directly for the returned catchment school.
  3. Use School Selection only when requesting a school outside that catchment.

Official policy sources

The answer above is stated on-page; these links document the district rules and policy year.

Other exact moving rules

Compare how address assignment, school choice, and enrollment work in other districts.