By Dr. Cassandra St. Vil, CEO, Philadelphia Charters For Excellence
(In response to Chalkbeat’s article)

The latest Chalkbeat report highlighting a loss of more than 1,050 students in the School District of Philadelphia this year is more than a statistic. It is a signal. After a decade of steady decline — nearly 20,000 fewer students since 2014 — families are sending a clear message. They are seeking opportunities within Philadelphia’s public-school system to find schools that support their child’s learning needs, honor their aspirations, and provide safe, engaged, inclusive environments.

As Mayor Parker often reminds us, Philadelphia has one public school system with many public school options. Charter schools are indeed part of that system. When families choose a charter school, they are selecting a public-school model they believe is the right fit for their child. And when charter schools operate with quality, accountability, and a commitment to community, they strengthen the entire landscape by keeping families engaged and ensuring students remain in public education.

Families are not turning away from public schools; they are navigating within the system to make the best choice for their child. National polling supports this — this is not just a Philadelphia phenomenon. Parents across the country are expressing similar priorities, as recent surveys consistently show.

These preferences match national enrollment trends. Between 2010 and 2021, charter enrollment rose from roughly 1.8 million to 3.7 million students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. In the last six years alone, public charter schools have added more than 500,000 students nationwide. Families are choosing charter schools at a meaningful and sustained rate.

Philadelphia reflects this shift. In the 2024–25 school year, brick-and-mortar public charter schools served 63,964 students. These families are choosing charters because they value responsive school cultures, strong relationships, and environments where children are known, supported, and challenged. Parents are seeking schools that provide individualized learning, creative instruction, and a culture that affirms every student.

Declining enrollment does not have to signal diminished opportunity. Instead, this moment calls for stability, partnership, and a shared commitment to ensuring children have access to dependable, high-quality public-school options. As families speak with their feet — choosing the public school that works best for their child — leaders in Philadelphia should view this as an invitation to engage families, support their decision-making, and ensure every child can access the school that best meets their needs.

At PCE, we are committed to leading that response.


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About Dr. Cassandra St. Vil

Dr. Cassandra St. Vil is the Chief Executive Officer of Philadelphia Charters for Excellence (PCE), the membership organization representing high-quality public charter schools across Philadelphia. A former school leader, policy advisor, and national education consultant, Dr. St. Vil has dedicated her career to expanding equitable access to excellent public-school options for all students. She is recognized for her commitment to data transparency, school accountability, and family engagement, and for advancing a collaborative vision of one public school system with many public school options. Dr. St. Vil holds a doctorate in education and brings more than 20 years of experience serving children, families, and communities.