As summer winds down and the excitement of a new school year begins to build, Macaroni KID Downtown Philly is here to help your family make a smooth transition from beach days to backpacks. Our 2025 Back-to-School Guide is packed with everything you need to start the year off right—from school supply checklists and lists of schools, daycares, and after-school programs, to tips for getting back into a routine. Whether your child is starting kindergarten or heading into middle school, we’ve got resources to make this season less stressful and more successful for the whole family!
School District of Philadelphia Back to School Bus Tour:
Monday, July 28, 2025*
School of the Future – 4021 Parkside Ave, Phila., PA 19104
Friday, August 1, 2025
Fashion District Philadelphia – 901 Market St, Phila., PA 19107
Monday, August 4, 2025*
Martin Luther King High School – 6100 Stenton Ave, Phila., PA 19138
Wednesday, August 6, 2025*
George Washington High School Football Field – 10175 Bustleton Ave, Phila., PA 19116
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Citizens Bank Park – 1 Citizens Bank Way, Phila., PA 19148
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Marcus Foster Memorial Stadium (Gratz Supersite) – 1627 W. Hunting Park Ave, Phila., PA 19140
Friday, August 15, 2025
Roosevelt Mall – 2329 Cottman Ave, Phila., PA 19152
St. Mark's Church Back to School Fair: August 9th, 11 am - 1:30 pm
Motivated CRC Back to School Community Fair: August 9th, 1 pm - 4 pm
Back 2 School Bookbag Giveaway: August 9th, 11 am - 3 pm
Spectrum Health Children's Health Day: August 9th, 11 am - 3 pm
Back to School Block Party presented by St. Matthew AME Church: August 9th, 12 pm - 4 pm
2nd Annual Back to School Community Block Party at Temple Women and Families Hospital: August 9th, 10 am - 2 pm
Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Funeral Directors Backpack & School Supply Giveaway: August 13th, 5 pm - 7 pm
ACHIEVEability Back to School Giveaway: August 13th, 2 pm - 5 pm
Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Funeral Directors Backpack & School Supply Giveaway: August 13th, 5 pm - 7 pm
Salvation Army Kroc Center Back to School Backpack Giveaway: August 15th, 6 pm - 8 pm
Joanna E. McClinton's Back to School Supply & Food Distribution: August 15th, 12 pm - 3 pm
House of Faith Ministries PA Back to School Giveaway: August 16th, 11 am - 3 pm
Camphor Back to School Community Day: August 16th, 11:30 am - 4 pm
Super Moms of Philadelphia Book Bag Giveaway: August 16th, 12 pm - 4 pm
Second Annual Back to School Block Party: August 16th, 12 pm - 5 pm
Braids & Backpacks: August 17th, 1 pm - 6 pm
Back to School Resource Fair & Colors of the Spectrum Autism Festival: August 20th, 12 pm - 3 pm
Back 2 School Bookbag Bash: August 21st, 2 pm - 4:30 pm
School Daze Annual Backpack Giveaway: August 23rd, 11 am - 3 pm
Back to School Community Event at The Official Truth and Life Empowerment Community Ministries Inc: September 6th, 11 am - 4 pm
Kids on 12th School 215-545-29301112 Chestnut St (2nd Floor) Philadelphia, PA 19107 |  |
Located in Center City, Philadelphia (with free parking) Kids on 12th students enjoy individual attention from highly qualified teachers who care about student success.
We prioritize hands-on learning and individual attention. We activate the mind-body connection and actively teach kindness, caring and cooperation in a safe and loving environment.
We specialize in Whole-Child Education—an approach that blends academic growth, social-emotional development, and the power of play. Our proprietary teaching model is designed to meet children where they are, helping them build a strong foundation for learning and life.
Kids on 12th is a Nonprofit Pre-K and K-5 Private School. We also offer an After School Pick-Up program. Our after school pick-up program for Kindergarten through 5th grade offers a safe, nurturing environment where children can unwind and engage in fun, enriching activities.
Students at Kids on 12th enjoy:
Small Class Sizes
Students enjoy true small-group learning experiences, not just "in-ratio" numbers. This gives teachers the time and space to connect deeply with each child.
Mind-Body Learning
Our school day includes regular movement and brief play breaks—not just one 30-minute recess—to support focus, self-regulation, and cognitive growth. We believe the body helps the brain retain knowledge, and our schedule reflects that.
Social-Emotional Education
At Kids on 12th, kindness, caring, and cooperation are taught and modeled all day, every day. Traditional education often overlooks the emotional brain—but we know that healthy relationships and emotional regulation are critical for learning and lifelong happiness.
Dedicated, Experienced Teachers
Our educators are trained in our unique methodology and genuinely care about your child’s well-being and growth. They build strong student-teacher connections that foster trust, confidence, and individual progress.
“Wonderful childcare, education, flexibility, cost, family relationships, everything. This place is an absolute gem. The staff and owners are good people who prioritize family and kiddo needs over everything else. Their vibe is acceptance and support. Highly recommended!”
— Aislinn
For more information, visit our website or contact us at sharon@kidson12th.com
St. Peter's School 319 Lombard Street,Philadelphia, PA 19147 215-925-3963   |  |
St. Peter's School in Society Hill offers a warm, nonsectarian, co-ed learning environment for children ages 3-14. Founded in 1834, we pride ourselves on intimate class sizes, a project based curriculum rooted in Philadelphia, and a strong focus on character, kindness, and social emotional growth. Blending innovative teaching practices with a nurturing community, St. Peter's School nurtures confident, curious learners prepared to contribute generously to their world.
Our nurturing environment fosters academic excellence and social-emotional growth, providing the right balance for each student. From preschool to middle school, we curate the best educational practices, ensuring a seamless journey of learning and development. More than just a school, we're a warm and welcoming community where every member feels valued and supported, from students to staff. Discover why St. Peter's is the perfect place for your child's educational journey.
Our distinctive curriculum, featuring project-based learning, a focus on our vibrant city, and a strong emphasis on social-emotional development, reflects our commitment to preparing students for the modern world. Yet, amidst this forward-looking approach, we cherish and uphold cherished traditions that define our unique culture and experience. These traditions foster lasting relationships and cultivate a deep sense of community affinity, creating an enriching environment where students thrive both academically and socially.
Through our curriculum, students not only acquire academic knowledge but also invaluable lessons in leadership and community living, preparing them for the challenges of high school and beyond. Equipped with essential skills, adaptability, and a strong sense of preparedness, our graduates confidently step into the next chapter of their academic journey and navigate a changing world with ease.
St. Peter’s REACH program is more than just after school care. We stand for Recreation, Enrichment, After-School Care, Homework Help. It is a unique opportunity for students of all ages to further their academics, explore their interests, and play with friends of all grades in a structured and safe environment. After-School is not just an afterthought at SPS; we REACH a little higher!
More information can be found on our website, or you can email us at lrubin@st-peters-school.org
School District of Philadelphia Information
Important Dates
Find Your Fit 2026-2027 School Selection
The Find your Fit selection process allows students currently in Pre-K through 11th grade to apply to attend any in District School with available space outside of their neightborhood. The Find your Fit selection process for the 2026-2027 school year will open on September 8, 2025 at 4 PM and will close on October 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM. Click here for more information about the application and selection process.
Helpful Links
School District of Philadelphia Website
The Philadelphia Virtual Academy
Olde City Day School 219 Cuthbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 215-925-0200 |  |
At Olde City Day School, we take a child-centered approach to learning. From infants to kindergarteners, we focus on building stable relationships between children and educators, all while nurturing your child’s unique style of learning. Olde City Day School is a minority-owned business and MBE-certified committed to fostering diverse and inclusive learning environments.
We are a committed and dedicated community of caregivers and educators with more than 75-years of combined experience. With four locations throughout the Philadelphia area, our families can access quality care, close to home or work.
Our developmentally-appropriate curriculum is meant to support children’s social and emotional development. Olde City Day School is a Keystone STAR 4 Accredited Institution and MBE-certified.
We are excited to use Funshine Express, an OCDEL approved curriculum, in our regular classrooms. (PHL PreK classrooms my differ). Funshine Express is a play based early learning curricula. The activities are research-based, standards are aligned, and developmentally appropriate. It also comes with a built in assessment that helps the teachers support individualized learning.
Our facility is equipped with keypad-locked doors and live-stream security cameras, both of which families will receive access codes to upon enrollment. Both fire and lockdown drills are performed regularly. We follow Health and Safety best practices including frequent proper handwashing, mask wearing, fourteen step diaper changing procedures, and sanitization of all toys and equipment throughout the day in every classroom. All staff is certified in First Aid and Pediatric CPR.
More information about our schools can be found here, or you can email us at info@oldecitydayschool.com
Is your child starting Preschool or Daycare for the first time this fall?
Check out this article from NAEYC for some great tips and tricks for a successful transition to school!
This section is currently under construction...check back soon for updates!
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We hope this Back-to-School Guide helps you and your family feel prepared, confident, and maybe even a little excited for the year ahead! From finding the perfect backpack to discovering after-school programs your kids will love, Macaroni KID Downtown Philly is here to support you every step of the way. Be sure to bookmark this guide, share it with friends, and check back often—we’ll keep it updated with the latest info and local resources to make this school year your family’s best one yet!
Want to be included in our guide?
Email us at tinal@macaronikid.com for details!
