The average school building in the School District of Philadelphia is 75 years old and in need of urgent updates. With help from Penn’s $100 million pledge over 10 years, local students at sites including Roxborough High School, Southwark School, Frankford High School, and the Bartram High School library will benefit from improvements to their schools.
The district has accelerated ongoing work in the city’s school buildings to remediate environmental hazards, including asbestos and lead, over the past four years since the pledge was made.
“The $100 million speaks to this partnership, working together, telling the story, and utilizing the talent, time, and treasure of this very fine institution to benefit some of the poorest children in our city and in the country,” said Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, who has led the development of an increasingly robust asbestos management program for nearly 300 buildings. “It inspires me.”
Penn’s contribution of $10 million annually for 10 years is the largest private contribution to the district in history, and is directly in line with its In Principle and Practice strategic vision as an anchored, interwoven, inventive, and engaged university.
“This partnership with the School District is helping enhance K–12 students’ well-being and growth, as part of Penn’s long-term commitment and strategic investment in our city and community,” said Craig Carnaroli, senior executive vice president and one of the architects of the contribution.
“The environmental impact, aligned with the University’s goals on sustainability, will also continue to be felt for generations to come.”