Memphis Street Middle School

Front exterior of Memphis Street Middle School
Memphis Street Middle School
Transition Information for Families

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Memphis Street Academy Transition Information

Memphis Street Academy Charter School closed at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 academic year and will reopen as Memphis Street Middle School, operated by the School District of Philadelphia, for the 2026-2027 school year. The District is working with Memphis Street Academy Charter School to make this transition as smooth as possible for students, families, and staff.

  • ALL incoming students MUST register, to attend Memphis Street Middle School, regardless of whether they were students at the Charter school
  • Read the Back-to-School letter from Principal Wayne Diggs HERE.

Upcoming Meetings:

August 26th: Chat and Chew with the Principal  9:00am Library
September 2nd: Back to School night/Title I meeting 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Current Students May Remain

All current Memphis Street Academy students who are rising 6th through 8th graders may remain at Memphis Street Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year, regardless of whether their primary residence is within the designated catchment area.

Registration Required for Fall 2026

All students planning to attend Memphis Street Middle School in Fall 2026 must complete registration with the School District of Philadelphia. This includes current Memphis Street Academy students and new students.

Register Online

Page Updates

This webpage will be updated regularly. Please check back often for new information and resources.

Quick Links

Important Info for Families

  • Uniform: Light gray collared shirt, Khaki bottoms
  • Bell Schedule: 8:45 AM to 3:49 PM
  • Enrollment:
    Mon-Fri, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PMMemphis Street Middle School
    2950 Memphis Street
    Philadelphia, PA

Our School

Front entrance of Memphis Street Middle School in Philadelphia with blue awnings, orange doors, and a historic school façade.

Our School

We are so excited to grow with you! We have exciting plans and many steps to take – bear with us as we add information as fast as we get it!

Attendance & Bell Schedule

Bell Schedule (many more details coming soon!)

School Day: 8:45am to 3:49pm
Breakfast: 
Lunch:
Recess:

For details on early dismissals, inclement weather procedures, delayed openings, and emergency closings, please refer to the Parent & Student Handbook, coming soon.

Specific student schedules may differ depending on class sections.

Attendance

Attendance matters! The consistency for both students and teachers is critical to success. Consequences can come from excessive or unexcused absences.

Uniform/Dress Code

Students are expected to wear appropriate clothing at all times, including shirts, pants, shorts, dresses, skirts, and proper footwear.

Shirt/Top:  Light gray collared shirt
Pants/Bottoms: Khaki bottoms
Footwear: Closed toe shoes, sneakers
Not Permitted: Jeans, Hoodies, Tank Tops, Crocs

If a student violates the dress code:

  • A parent/guardian may be contacted
  • The school may provide loaner clothing, or request a change of clothes be brought to school

If you have barriers to obtaining a uniform, contact us.

➜ See our uniform policy for more details (coming soon).

After-School & Summer Programming

Out-of-School Time (OST)
Out-of-School Time (OST) is the time that a child or youth spends in after school or summer programming. In Philadelphia, OST programs are provided for young people in grades K through 12.
➜ Learn more and find a program near you

Summer Programs
Explore free summer programs from the School District of Philadelphia that keep students learning, engaged, and prepared for success.
➜ Learn more about opportunities for your student over the summer. 

Arts, Music, Dance

Community Partnerships

Partnership Dashboard
Explore programs and opportunities available to students across the School District of Philadelphia, including arts, STEM, wellness, mentoring, and more.
➜ Search the Dashboard

Extracurricular Programs, Clubs & Activities

Points of Pride

Sports

Participation in sports requires a completed physical form signed by a doctor.

Available Sports

  • Coming Soon

➜ Find Your Team Schedule at arbiterlive.com

Middle Grades Conference(MGC)
Grades 6-8 are taught the benefits of interscholastic athletics while learning discipline, structure, and competition.
➜ Learn more about MGC

Student Handbook & Policies

➜ Parent & Student Handbook
➜ District – Student Code of Conduct & Discipline Process

Policies

School Improvement Plan – Title I Documents
➜ View your school’s School Improvement Plan
➜ Request a translation of your school’s plan

If you do not have web access or need additional assistance, please contact planningsupports@philasd.org for support.

Annual Notification of Rights under FERPA
The School District of Philadelphia is required to annually notify parents and eligible students of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). These rights include the right to inspect and review education records, request amendments, consent to disclosures, and file a complaint.

➜ View the Annual FERPA Notice

For questions, contact the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

At A Glance

Principal:
Wayne Diggs

Grade Levels: 6-8
Learning Network: 9
Student Enrollment: Coming Soon
➜ School Data & Statistics

Phone: Coming Soon
Fax: Coming Soon

Address:
2950 Memphis Street
Philadelphia, PA 19134
➜ SEPTA – Trip Planner

Registration

Register for the 2026-2027 School Year

How to Register

Online:

Use the District’s Online Registration Portal.
➜ Start online registration

In Person:

When:
Mon-Fri, 9:00am to 2:00pm
Where:
Main Office, Memphis Street Middle School
2950 Memphis Street
Philadelphia, PA

All families must register if they plan for their child to attend Memphis Street Middle School in Fall 2026. This includes:

  • Current Memphis Street Academy students* who plan to remain at the school
  • Students who live in the Memphis Street Middle School catchment area
  • New students enrolling at Memphis Street Middle School for the first time

*Current Memphis Street Academy Students

Current MSA students who are rising 6th through 8th graders may remain at Memphis Street Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year, even if they live outside the catchment area. Families still need to complete registration with the District.

Considering Other School Options?

Families may apply for transfer to another District school or charter school for the 2026-2027 school year.

Registration Required for Fall 2026

All students planning to attend Memphis Street Middle School in Fall 2026 must complete registration with the School District of Philadelphia. This includes current Memphis Street Academy students and new students.

Register Online

Timeline

Background & Transition Timeline

Background

  • 2012 – Memphis Street Academy Charter School at J.P. Jones (MSA) opens as a Renaissance charter school
  • 2018 – The School District of Philadelphia Board of Education (BOE) grants MSA a charter renewal with agreed-upon performance conditions
  • 2022 – The BOE determined that MSA had not met agreed-upon performance conditions and voted for MSA’s charter surrender and closure
  • 2022-2026 – MSA files suit in federal court with subsequent appeals and legal proceedings
  • May 19, 2026 – The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals issues a ruling upholding the federal District Court’s decision that MSA must surrender its charter and close
  • May 21, 2026 – The District and MSA begin collaborating on the orderly closure of MSA at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year and the transition to a District-operated middle school which will open for the 2026-2027 school year in the same building

Phase I: Transition Execution

June-August 2026

During this phase, the District will complete the work needed to prepare Memphis Street Middle School to open for the 2026-2027 school year. This includes:

  • Community Engagement
  • Academic Program Planning
  • Principal Hiring
  • Teacher and Staff Hiring
  • Student Enrollment & Placement
  • Building Readiness Tasks

Phase II: Post-Transition Support

August 2026 and ongoing

Support will continue after the school opens and may include:

  • Community Engagement
  • Augmented Staffing for School Opening Period
  • Supplemental Transition Resources for the Entire School Year
  • Regular Support Monitoring

Key Dates

  • MSA Last Day for Students – 6/11
  • MSA Extended School Year (ESY) Program Begins – 6/22
  • MSA ESY Program Ends – 7/23
  • Memphis Street Middle School Opens for Staff – 8/17
  • First Day for Students at Memphis Street Middle School – 8/24

Meetings

Community Engagement

Ongoing communication with Memphis Street Academy students, families, staff, and community members is an important part of this transition.

Upcoming Meetings:

August 26th: Chat and Chew with the Principal  9:00am Library
September 2nd: Back to School night/Title I meeting 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Upcoming Engagement Opportunity

Successfully Transitioning Memphis Street Academy from Charter to District School

Date: TBD

Memphis Street Academy Charter School and School District of Philadelphia representatives will provide an overview of the collaborative process to convert Memphis Street Academy to a District-operated school for the 2026-2027 school year. There will also be time for questions and answers.

More sessions will be announced.

Upcoming Engagement Opportunities

TBD

Past Engagement

Previous Engagement Opportunities

  • June 3, 2026 in MSA Auditorium at 4pm
  • June 9, 2026 virtual at 7pm
  • June 10, 2026 in MSA Auditorium at 4pm (Slide Deck)

Staff

School Leader & Staff Hiring

All current Memphis Street Academy Charter School staff will have the opportunity and are encouraged to apply for employment with the School District of Philadelphia for the 2026-2027 school year.

Information sessions with the District’s Talent Office will be scheduled for Memphis Street teachers and staff to learn more about the hiring process and timeline.

Staff who become District employees will become members of the applicable union, such as PFT or CASA, with associated pay and benefits.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where will the new school open?

The new school will open for the 2026-2027 school year in the same school building at 2950 Memphis Street.

What is the uniform for SY2026-27?

  • Light gray collared shirt
  • Khaki bottoms
  • Closed-toe shoes (no crocs or sandals)

What is the bell schedule for SY2026-27?

8:45am to 3:49pm

How do I register for SY2026-27?

Register in person at Memphis Street Middle School between 9am and 2pm, Monday-Friday.

What will the school be called next year?

The school will be called Memphis Street Middle School starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

Can current Memphis Street Academy students stay?

Yes. Current Memphis Street Academy students who are rising 6th through 8th graders may remain at Memphis Street Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year, regardless of whether they live within the school catchment area. Registration is still required.

Will the catchment area change?

No. The catchment area, meaning the defined neighborhoods that feed into the school, will not change.

Will my child continue to receive transportation?

If your child currently receives transportation to and from Memphis Street Academy, transportation will continue to be provided if the child stays at Memphis Street Middle School.

Will the new school receive additional support?

Yes. The District will provide supplemental funding for transitional supports and services in the first few years of the new District-operated school. This could include funding for additional climate staff, teacher coaches, and other resources.

Who can I contact with questions?

If you have general questions about the Memphis Street Academy transition process, please use the contact form. Someone will get back to you within a few business days, if possible, or as soon as an answer is available.

➜ Submit a question

Contact

Quick Links

Important Dates

  • June 2026: Transition begins
  • Summer 2026: Registration and school preparation
  • Fall 2026: Memphis Street Middle School opens

School Location

Memphis Street Middle School
2950 Memphis Street
Philadelphia, PA