The district's superintendent said the plan is designed to strengthen the school system, but many parents, students and educators urged board members to reconsider.
Chants of "save our schools" echoed before the meeting at an outside protest.
"For many of our young people, the school in the neighborhood is more than just a place where they learn and grow; it is the safest place that they have available to them," said Bernadette Ambrose Smith, with the School Police Association of Philadelphia.
During the meeting, there was a public comment timeframe where parents, teachers and students argued that their communities would be harmed by the closures.
The restructuring plan is part of a $2.8 billion proposal that would also modernize school buildings across the city.
District officials said they adjusted the list of closures after hearing from families. Russell Conwell Middle School and Motivation High School were removed from the closure list. Motivation High School will instead absorb students from Paul Robeson High School, which remains scheduled to close.
Wearing shirts supporting their schools that are on the chopping block, students and staff watched on from the packed auditorium and overflow room as they learned of the new plan.
"I don't think luxury housing means you have to close a high-performing Black high school," said Andrew Saltz, a teacher at Paul Robeson High School.
Another change shifts students from Lankenau Environmental High School - also still marked for closure - to Saul High School rather than Roxborough High School.
The Lankenau community was among those that showed up in full force to defend their school.
"Do not sell us out to pay your debts," said Justice Rae, a Lankenau student.
"I appreciate that the district leadership has listened to us and understands the critical needs to maintain the agricultural education, but our stance has not changed. We want to educate students on our campus," said Amy Szymanski, with Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School.
Superintendent Tony Watlington Sr. spoke about the schools slated to close.
"We do not take great delight in recommending to close 18 schools, and so we're pleased that we took the time to listen to our parents and families," he said.
The district says the full plan would modernize 159 facilities and reduce the number of buildings deemed "poor" or "unsatisfactory" buildings from 85 to zero.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really set public education in the city of Philadelphia on a trajectory that it has not seen before," said Oz Hill, deputy superintendent of operations.
Outside the meeting, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers held a rally to voice concerns about the proposal's impact on students and staffing.
"Mark my words, the students and families will flee this district. Educators who are in such short supply at this time will go work elsewhere," said union president Arthur Steinberg.
The plan also calls for eight of the closed buildings to be transferred to the city, which could convert them into affordable housing.
Board members will not vote on the proposal immediately. The district says the plan would take ten years to implement, with closures and other changes beginning in the 2027-28 school year if approved.
A town hall meeting is scheduled for March 12 as the board continues its review.