In the latest move to transform the Philadelphia School District, officials announced Tuesday that the Philadelphia High School for Girls will be one of 19 high-performing schools to add a total of 2,272 additional seats.
"We are focused as a district to continue to invest in schools that work for our students," said Nixon.
The schools chosen for this unprecedented expansion scored a 3 or better on the district's school performance index, and have the capacity to handle more students.
At Girls' High, at least 10 unused rooms will be transformed into classrooms.
The school's principal, Dr. Parthenia Moore, says enrollment has been down, so she's hoping this will encourage more students to attend.
"We are very excited about the number of students who will accept us and who have been approved, who meet our criteria," said Moore.
Girls' High is a school with a vast history spanning 164 years. Many graduates have gone on to be leaders in their communities.
The students I talked to Tuesday said they're excited that even more students will have that opportunity.
"Any girl who comes here is lucky because she's going to have a great time and she's going to get the best experience coming here," one student told me.
Here is a list of all 19 of the high-performing schools to be expanded in 2012-13:
ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS
AMY Northwest
E.M. Stanton
Fell
Fox Chase
Greenberg
Greenfield
MYA (CW)
Nebinger
HIGH SCHOOLS
Academy at Palumbo
Carver HS of Engineering and Science
HS for Creative and Performing Arts
Franklin Learning Center
Philadelphia HS for Girls
Lankenau
Phila. Military Academy/Leeds
Parkway Center City
Randolph Skills Center
Saul
Arts Academy at Rush
Any parent interested in having their child attend Girls' High or any of the other special select schools, can do so by contacting the district's Office of Student Placement at 215-400-4000.
