Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced on Thursday a pilot program to extend school hours on weekdays—from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.—and to offer school for six weeks during summer break and all the way through spring and winter break.
The program, geared to children from kindergarten through eighth grade, will be offered at 25 schools starting this school year. Ms. Parker stressed that the program will not be mandatory for teachers or students, and it will not change the school calendar.
