Philly Charter School with Only 100 Students Plans to Cease Operations.

Universal Vare Charter School in South Philadelphia is facing a significant transition, as officials announce plans to cease operations following the upcoming academic year. With an anticipated enrollment of just 100 students for the 2024-2025 school year, the school’s administration, led by Superintendent Penny Nixon, has decided to forgo applying for a new charter. Consequently, the school will close, ending a decade-long chapter in the educational landscape of the area.

Located on S. 24th Street, Universal Vare was initially established to accommodate up to 400 students in grades five through eight. However, enrollment figures have dwindled markedly over recent years, with only 150 students registered for the current academic year and just 130 students in the year preceding. Christopher Hill, chair of the school’s board of directors, acknowledged the concerning trend, emphasizing that discussions about the closure have been ongoing since his tenure began on the board.

While the announcement has elicited a mixture of sadness and uncertainty, local officials, including Hill and Nixon, characterized the decision as a necessary step focused on the welfare of students and their families. Nixon expressed the importance of leading with transparency and commitment to thoughtful planning for the affected students during this transition period. The closure will impact 59 students aside from the outgoing eighth-grade class, who will graduate regardless of the school’s status.

Universal Vare, classified as a “Renaissance Charter,” was originally a district school aimed at improving educational outcomes under the management of the nonprofit Universal Companies, founded by music icon Kenny Gamble. Despite the initial intentions, the charter has struggled to fulfill these goals, prompting criticism over the effectiveness of its management.

Political and educational leaders, including State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams, praised the decision to prioritize student needs over institutional survival. The school employs nine staff members, all of whom will receive job coaching and support in finding new employment opportunities.

As Universal Vare prepares for its closing, the future of its facility remains uncertain. Renaissance charter schools are expected to revert to district control if not renewed, but with the Philadelphia School District currently undergoing a citywide facilities assessment, decisions regarding the use of the building may take time. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. has indicated that the district will establish a minimum enrollment size for schools moving forward, rendering the continuation of a school with an enrollment of 100 unlikely.

The decline in enrollment has been attributed, in part, to demographic shifts in the neighborhood, including declining birth rates and gentrification. Many families moving into the area are either childless or are not choosing to enroll their children in local schools, as emphasized by Principal Howell-Toomer.

The decision to close Universal Vare was announced on a significant date, Juneteenth, noted by Williams as a moment resonant with evolution in public education. This closure, while heartbreaking for many, is seen as an opportunity to make way for new educational initiatives that may better serve the changing needs of the community.

As Universal Vare prepares to conclude its operations, the focus will be on ensuring a smooth transition for students and families in the coming year.