The School District of Philadelphia began considering applications for new charter schools this week. Two schools in particular have been the topic of discussion among some in the neighborhoods recently.

The district received over a dozen applications from charter schools interested in opening new schools in West Philly.

One of the proposed new charters is the Philadelphia Music and Dance Charter School, which has applied to open a school at the old West Philadelphia High School (48th and Walnut), has drawn attention from nearby community organizations. In the application, officials from the proposed school note that they spoke with many in the community, including community associations, about the school. 

The presidents of four community associations that represent neighborhoods recently submitted a letter to the School District of Philadelphia saying that none had been contacted.

“We write today to confirm that our organizations have not been contacted … about this proposed application or a proposed location in our area,” the letter reads.

It goes on to say that the organizations have no collective position on the proposed school, but rejected the description in the application of the area around the high school as “blighted.”

Another school, proposed by Independence Charter to target students in the 19139 and 19143, has been lobbying for support among West Philly parents through letters from Independence Charter CEO Tom Scheid distributed on e-mail lists and social media earlier this week.

The hearing for Independence Charter West is scheduled for Jan. 15 at 12:30 p.m. in the auditorium at 440 N. Broad. Philadelphia Music and Dance Charter School is up on Jan. 23 also at 12:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

This round of hearings follows a slate of hearings last month that invited public comment on the 40 applicants for charter schools. This month’s hearings will be a question and answer between applicants and the District. No public comment will be heard.

A possible increase in the number of charter schools has troubled many public school advocates in West Philly, who fear that the opening of new schools will disrupt the improvement of neighborhood schools. The resumption of charter applications has aslo come on the heels of the shutdown of nearly two dozen public schools in recent years.

The district currently has 86 charter schools that enroll some 67,000 students. This is the first time since 2007 that the SRC has considered new applications for charter schools, thanks to a provision in the $2-per-pack cigarette tax.

For a full schedule of the hearings, go here (pdf). The full applications of each school are here.

– Mike Lyons