Skyrocketing freshman enrollment at Philly’s Girls High creates new problem: overcrowded classrooms
Philadelphia Principal KaTiedra Argro has spent years trying to boost enrollment at Philadelphia’s storied High School for Girls. She’s been so successful that Girls High now has a new challenge: classrooms so packed that 55 students are squeezed into one history section. “It’s been…
Philadelphia's prestigious Girls High has experienced a significant surge in freshman enrollment, creating a new challenge with overcrowded classrooms. Principal KaTiedra Argro, who took over in 2024, has successfully boosted enrollment through aggressive recruitment efforts. However, the district's budgeting process underestimated the growth, leaving classrooms packed with more than 50 students.
Jamie Liu, a 14-year-old freshman, shared that extra tables and chairs fill her World History class, making it loud and distracting. Despite the district approving the hiring of an additional teacher, one social studies teacher, Chris Canary, claims one class has 54 students, and had to cancel another class due to overcrowding. District spokesperson Naima DeBrest acknowledged the enrollment discrepancy but stated that all classes are supposed to be under the limit by the end of September.
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