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Schools in Olde Kensington

Olde Kensington is split among three elementary school catchments, so the school you are assigned depends on your address. The School District of Philadelphia's school finder gives the answer for any address. Below are the schools whose catchments cover the neighborhood, based on the City's address records.

What to know in Olde Kensington

  • Elementary and middle school, by catchment. East of 4th St is the John Moffet School’s catchment. 4th St and west is the James R. Ludlow School’s. A small corner along Berks St and Montgomery Ave near 5th and 6th Streets is the William McKinley School’s.
  • High school, by catchment. Nearly all of Olde Kensington is in Penn Treaty’s catchment. For the Berks and Montgomery corner near 5th and 6th, check the school finder.
  • John Moffet School, K-5, 127 W. Oxford St., 215-400-7390, moffet.philasd.org
  • James R. Ludlow School, K-8, 550 W. Master St., 215-400-7430, ludlow.philasd.org
  • William McKinley School, PreK-8, 2101 N. Orkney St., 215-400-7440, mckinley.philasd.org
  • Penn Treaty School, 6-12, 600 E. Thompson St., 215-400-3800, penntreaty.philasd.org
  • Calendar and dates. The District posts its school calendar online. School District calendar
  • Charter, private, and pre-K options. Charter schools admit by application, not by catchment. Charter schools The City’s PHLpreK program helps families find free pre-K. PHLpreK

Related: Childcare & Daycare, Realtors, Who to Call

Common questions

Which public school will my child attend?

It depends on your address. Use the School District's school finder at philasd.explore.avela.org to look up your designated school. Catchments can change, so check again each year.

Do I have to apply to my neighborhood school?

Living inside a school's catchment gives you priority admission without a separate application, but you will need proof of residency when you enroll.

Is Penn Treaty closing?

The School Board approved the District's facilities plan 6 to 3 on April 30, 2026, and the plan lists Penn Treaty among the schools to close, with no closures before the 2027-28 school year. Check the District's plan page for the latest: philasd.org/fpp.

Is Moffet changing?

Yes. The approved plan makes Moffet a K-4 school, with its middle-grade students going to Ludlow. The District hasn't given a start date. See the District's announcement.