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Dear School District of Philadelphia Families,

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.” As we welcome 2025, his profound insights continue to motivate our efforts and dedication within Philadelphia’s educational landscape.

We are working hard and strategically to realize Dr. King’s dream. Our progress shown in third and eighth-grade test scores, along with increased graduation rates and declined dropout rates, suggest we are on the right track. Yet, we have a long way to go. We are committed to working together to overcome challenges that include historic underfunding, a declining teacher pipeline, and aging facilities.

Yet even amid these challenges, our commitment to Dr. King’s educational vision grows stronger. Through our strategic plan Accelerate Philly, we’re expanding college and career readiness programs, bringing technology into more classrooms, and fostering deeper cultural understanding among our students. These aren’t just improvements—they’re stepping stones toward the kind of intensive and critical thinking Dr. King envisioned. Each advancement brings us closer to bridging the gap between where we are and where we need to be, transforming his dream of educational excellence into reality for every Philadelphia student.

As we honor Dr. King’s legacy this year, we invite you to transform this holiday into more than a day off—make it a “Day of Empowerment and Unity.” Your active participation in our community strengthens the very foundation of his educational vision. Consider supporting local charities, leading educational workshops, or mentoring students. You can discover meaningful opportunities through Global Citizen. To deepen your understanding of this tradition and share it with others, explore the history of the MLK Day of Service here, and find valuable teaching resources about Dr. King’s work and legacy here. Together, we can turn his words into action and his dreams into reality.

Let’s honor Dr. King’s work by not only dreaming but actively shaping a future where every child, regardless of background, thrives in an environment rich with opportunity and hope. Together, we are catalysts for change and equity. I encourage you to enlist and join the movement on January 20, 2025, and every day after. Have a wonderful Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

In partnership,

Tony B. Watlington Sr., Ed.D.
Superintendent
The School District of Philadelphia