Keep Harding Middle School Open – Protect the Scholars of the Frankford Community
We, the families, educators, students, alumni, and community members of Frankford, formally petition the School District of Philadelphia to eliminate the proposed closure of Harding Middle School. For more than 100 years, Harding has been a cornerstone of our community—a place where generations of students have learned, grown, and thrived during their most formative years.

Harding Is More Than a Building
Harding Middle School is a shared legacy and a vital institution intentionally designed to support 6th–8th grade students academically, socially, and emotionally. Harding provides the district-approved curriculum in a safe, joyful, and supportive environment tailored to the unique needs of adolescents. Students build independence, explore interests, participate in clubs and athletics, and are guided by educators who understand the critical developmental stages of adolescents. Families are welcomed as partners, students are known by name, and a strong sense of belonging is cultivated. This stability cannot simply be phased out—it must be preserved.

What Keeping Harding Open Protects
Keeping Harding Middle School open ensures that students continue to have access to opportunities that are often unavailable or limited in K–8 settings, including:

Athletics: Basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, track, flag football, unified sports and cheerleading
Clubs & Enrichment: First Lego League Robotics, Science Olympiad, Scrabble, Creative Writing, Gaming, WHYY Media Club, Model UN and more

Community Partnerships:
Philadelphia Youth Network – after-school programming and paid summer internships
City Year – classroom support, mentoring, and school-based programming
Community coaches and mentors who provide enrichment, structure, and connection
Eat Right Philly Partnership- health and nutrition 
Philly Youth Basketball
Cora - after-school programming
Eagles Eye Vision - provides free vision screening and eyeglasses
Ronald McDonald Dentist Mobile- provides free teeth cleaning 
These opportunities are essential to student engagement, identity development, and long-term success.

The Case Against Closure

1. Contradictions in Building Safety
The District claims Harding is in “unsatisfactory condition,” yet proposes relocating the entire Sullivan Elementary community into the same building. If the building is unsafe for middle school students, it is unsafe for elementary students. This contradiction raises serious concerns about the credibility of the proposal.

2. Misrepresentation of Academic Rigor
The District asserts that phasing out middle school will allow for more rigorous academic offerings. However, Harding—like all District schools—uses district-approved curriculum resources. Harding’s educators actively engage in after-school and out-of-school professional development to meet the needs of a diverse student population and are fully prepared to implement rigorous, District-approved instruction.

3. The “Transition” Contradiction
While the District claims to be reducing unnecessary student transitions, this plan would displace an entire elementary school community, creating instability rather than reducing it. Other schools with multiple transitions (K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12) are not subject to similar proposals, highlighting inconsistency in the District’s approach.

4. Lack of Transparency and Manufactured Data
Community surveys used to justify this plan excluded “Maintaining the Middle School Model” as an option, silencing families who value and rely on the middle school experience. This lack of transparency undermines trust and meaningful community engagement.

5. Dismantling a Community Ecosystem
Harding is a network of educators, mentors, families, and partners who have built a supportive ecosystem over generations. Closing Harding would dismantle these relationships and expose younger elementary students to environments and behaviors that are developmentally inappropriate. The safety and well-being of all students must be considered.

The Lasting Impact
Although the District frames this closure as a three-year process, the harm begins immediately. Teachers will be forced to seek job security elsewhere, leading to understaffing, overcrowded classrooms, reduced programming, lower morale, and negative impacts on student achievement.

For more than a century, Harding Middle School has been a pillar of the Frankford community. Closing it would weaken not only current students’ futures, but the fabric of the community for generations to come.

Our Demand
Harding Middle School provides a developmentally appropriate, empowering learning environment that prepares students for high school and beyond.

We, the undersigned, stand united in demanding that Harding remain open. If the District determines we can not maintain a middle school then we call on the District to explore expanding Harding into a K-8 model as a sustainable alternative to moving a neighboring elementary school into our facility.

Together, we will protect a school that has served generations, champions equity, and empowers our children to thrive.