The schools will dismiss at 1:30 p.m. The district said, at the 1:30 p.m. dismissal time, routine transportation will occur for students.
All afterschool programs are cancelled.
Updated information will also be posted on the District's Information Hotline at 215-400-INFO (4636).
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia also announced they will also dismiss schools at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Action News was out Wednesday and spoke with Philadelphia public school parents and children. The early dismissal annoucement was received with mixed reaction.
"I'm trying to work, the weather makes me sweaty. It's making me nervous to not finish my work," said 6th grader Sierra Flambert-Long.
"I think early dismissal is a good idea. I've been in my son's classroom to pick him up in the afternoon. The air is still, not moving. And my son has asthma as well," said parent Omara Ali.
"I'm actually a stay at home mom so it doesn't bother me. Parents appreciate them letting them go early today," said parent Marshella Webb.
"It's the end of the school year, a lot of lessons are being missed. Young people need to learn, and it's not always going to be easy," said caregiver Dr. Mary Wade.
Meantime the playground in Franklin Square in Philadelphia was in full swing Wednesday morning despite the mercury rising.
An infrared thermometer gave a clear picture. In the shade, we found play equipment was just over 90 degrees at noon. In the sun, it was nearly 170.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening for much of southeastern Pennsylvania, northern Delaware and the western part of central New Jersey.
