Philadelphia Public SchoolsBudget & Finance

Students, parents: How much are senior dues this year?

By 
Carly Sitrin
 | April 11, 2024, 7:19pm UTC
High school graduates in red gowns line up outside on a green grassy field with blue sky in the background.
Philadelphia schools use senior dues to pay for graduation expenses, class gifts, luncheons, and more. We want to know how much your school is charging and what those dues cover. (Carly Sitrin / Chalkbeat)

It’s that time of year again: Schools across Philadelphia are collecting senior dues for this year’s graduating students to go toward prom, senior luncheons, class t-shirts, gifts, and graduation expenses.

According to a spokesperson for the Philadelphia School District, the average cost for these fees citywide is $200 per student, but we’ve heard those amounts vary widely from school to school and from year to year. Some are all-inclusive and cover prom tickets, class trips, and portraits, while others only pay for graduation-specific costs.

We want to know how much you’ve been asked to pay for senior dues, what they pay for, and how you feel about this practice.

Carly Sitrin is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Philadelphia. Contact Carly at csitrin@chalkbeat.org.

The Latest
This Detroit school gave its students bikes. Here’s how they say it impacted attendance.

Davis Aerospace students say the bikes have helped address some systemic barriers in getting to school.

By 
Hannah Dellinger
 | October 7
Meet the next superintendent of Wayne Township Schools

Shenia Suggs has worked in the school district on the west side of Indianapolis for more than 30 years. She will take over as superintendent in January when outgoing Superintendent Jeff Butts leaves.

By 
Carley Lanich
 | October 7
Tours, tiers, deadlines: Essential tips for NYC’s high school application process

New York City high school applications are open. Here are tips from experts on how to narrow your search to build the best list for your child.

By 
Amy Zimmer
 | October 7
Shelby County mayor vetoes full school board election to avoid cutting short some members’ terms

Mayor Lee Harris rejected the proposal to avoid cutting short five current board members’ terms. The county commission can override the veto within 30 days.

By 
Bri Hatch
 | October 7
A falling college-going state rate isn’t discouraging the 21st Century Scholars program’s backers

Backers of the program for students from low-income backgrounds say it can adapt to Indiana’s new emphasis on career and technical education, along with other shifts.

By 
Mitzi S. Morris
 | October 7
Newark’s public schools see steady gains on statewide assessments this year

District leaders gave a first look at Newark Public Schools students' progress on statewide tests this spring that show scores nearing pre-pandemic levels.

By 
Jessie Gómez
 | October 7