Back to School

The start of another school year is underway here in Philadelphia! Get ready for school with these helpful resources for students, teachers, parents, and caregivers to help make the school year easier. Learn new study skills, organization strategies, and test taking tips. Get homework help, take a college prep course, or just learn something new. Explore our curated booklists and browse our collection of school-related web links for to help start the new school year off right!

Back to School

Links

  • Bullying Resources

    The National School Safety Center's website contains resources for adults about bullying and other school safety issues.

  • Bullying: Peer Abuse in School

    This in depth article by the U.S. Department of Education provides parents and adults with information and strategies to combat bullying

  • Center for Safe Schools: Response to Sandy Hook Tragedy

    Resources for educators, teachers and administrators to ensure that schools remain a safe haven for children, including a 10-Point School Safety Checklist.

  • CSFP Program Description

    Children's Scholarship Fund of Philadelphia. This fund provides partial-tuition assistance for private school to low-income families.

  • education.com

    A site for school-aged children and their parents with access to education-oriented resources of all kinds. Includes a parents' forum page and information about schools and learning readiness. Topics and content arranged by grade level. Issues like bullying and academic pressure addressed also. Some advertising.

  • GALAEI

    The organization provides services for high school students addressing issues of self-esteem, sexuality and risk reduction.

  • Get your child organized for school

    Tips to help your child manage assignments, clutter and time.

  • Get your kids reading! Fall picks from the Free Library

    Teresa Arnold and Monica Carnesi, Children’s Material Selectors; and Rachel Fryd, Young Adult Materials Selector at the Philadelphia Free Library, give their children's book recommendations to Philly.com

  • Great Philly Schools

    Database of K-12 Schools in Philadelphia.

  • Helping Children with Trauma: Share My Lesson (lesson plans)

    Lesson plans for educators on responding to traumatic events as well as preventive measure for ensuring safe schools.

  • HomeworkSpot.com

    Divided into elementary, middle, and high school. Has a reference section and a section for parents and teachers.

  • Kaplan

    Offers preparation for standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college, and graduate school as well as English language and professional licensing exams. Also offers online college degree programs, private tutoring and admissions guidance. Its eScore site focuses helping parents help their children to learn. BrassRing provides career information and guidance.

  • Learning Games for Kids

    This site features games for preschool and elementary students that build skills in math, reading, social studies, science, art and music.

  • Literacy Enrichment After-School Program (LEAP)

    Become a Teen Leadership Assistant with the Free Library of Philadelphia’s LEAP program.

  • McGruff.org

    McGruff.org is geared towards reading age children from 6-10. It contains a "webisode" on how to stop a bully, a "Get Home Safe" maze and school safety tips.

  • National Youth Violence Prevention Center

    A site for teens featuring articles related to youth violence, including school violence, hate crime, dating violence, and teen firearm violence. Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Federal Partners Working on Youth Violence.

  • Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS)

    PAIS is an incorporated not-for-profit association of independent schools in the state. Online Directory of Schools

  • Philly schools pass sweeping policy protecting transgender students

    "Without debate or comments from the public, the Philadelphia School Reform Commission adopted a policy on Thursday, June 16 that immediately allows transgender students to, among other things, be referred to by their pronoun of choice; use their bathroom of choice; and go out for the athletic team of their gender choice, either boys' or girls'."

  • Philly.com- High School Sports

    Get high school sports news and statistics from the Philadelphia region.

  • School Shootings: Helping Teens Cope, a Guide for Parents: New York University Child Study Center

    How to provide the support your teen needs to manage their feelings about school violence.

  • School Shootings: The Conversation You Need to Have with Your Kids: Parents Magazine

    Proactive advice on how to reassure your children after a school shooting.

  • StoryPlace

    The Children's Digital Library, with a Pre-School Library, an Elementary Library, and Book Hive. Online activities, booklists, coloring sheets, all in one great site!

  • Student Center

    A "web community for students, specifically college students, high school students, and teenagers." Includes links to student chat,advice, resources, poetry, music, news and sports.

  • Students at Museums in Philly

    The STAMP pass is open to any Philadelphia high school student, and is valid for one year of FREE admission to a selection of the city’s top museums and attractions.

  • Teaching Kids Consent from Ages 1-21

    Although this article was first published in 2013, the advice included is still great. This article has tips broken down by age group from preschool to teen years.

  • Teenspace at Internet Public Library

    Links to dozens of resources to help with school assignments.

  • The Chem Collective: For Students

    Virtual labs, scenario-based learning activities, and concepts are all part of this website! For high school students.

  • The Consensual Project

    The Consensual Project partners with schools and universities to bring students a fresh understanding of consent. The innovative curriculum, workshops, and website empower young people to incorporate consent into their daily lives.

  • The Paul Green School of Rock Music

    Website for the School of Rock Music with information on school locations, programs, enrollment, concerts, and more.

  • The Physics Classroom Multimedia Physics Studio

    A collection of GIF animations and accompanying explanations of major physics concepts, and more. For Middle School and up.

  • The School District of Philadelphia

    This offical homepage offers information on the following topics: teacher/staff Resources, student resources, community resources, Cluster-School-District information, employment opportunities and charter schools.

  • Time for Kids

    News for elementary school-age children, up-dated regularly. Available in two reading levels and also in Spanish.

  • Tomorrowsdoctors

    A Guide for High School Students. Wonderful informative page for students interested in this field. published by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

  • U.S. News and World Report School Rankings

    The U.S. News and World Report yearly issue on colleges and universities has long been one of the key sources for college rankings. The web version provides the list of schools for free, for $14.95 you can get the U.S. News statistics on the colleges.

Activism, Protest, and Solidarity! by FreeLibrary

Thought-provoking and inspiring books, films, and music centered around fighting against racism, sexism, and oppressive governments.

Eloquent rage a black feminist discovers her superpower cover
A citizen's guide to beating Donald Trump cover
Songs of America patriotism, protest, and the music that made a nation cover
Which side are you on? : 20th century American history in 100 protest songs cover
Anthem : social movements and the sound of solidarity in the African diaspora cover
The Singing Revolution cover

View the full list

Discussing Racism with Adults - Nonfiction by FreeLibrary

As a society, we can't move forward until we discuss and solve the problem of racism.

An African American and Latinx history of the United States cover
Everything you wanted to know about Indians but were afraid to ask cover
The fire next time cover
Heavy an American memoir cover
How to be an antiracist cover
i know why the caged bird sings cover

View the full list

Discovering Wes Moore cover

Discussing Racism with Teens - Nonfiction (17 items)

Parents and caregivers face the daily challenge of how to support teens in the midst of racialized rhetoric and bias incidents. Here are some titles that may help.

How children learn. cover

Education (30 items)

Education titles for students, educators and parents from early childhood throughout graduate level.

enterprising images :the goodridge brothers, african american photographers cover

African American Photographers (37 items)

Materials exhibited in the February-March 2019 Art Department display, "Through This Lens" and materials for further inquiry

How to do your best on tests cover

Back to School - Students (7 items)

Helpful resources for students to make the school year easier with study skills, homework help, organization strategies, and test taking tips.

99 ways to get your kids to do their homework :(and not hate it) cover

Back to School - Parents and Caregivers (7 items)

Helpful books to make sure your children have a successful year.

Akeelah and the bee cover

Back to School - Films (16 items)

School doesn't have to always be a drag... watch a couple of these funny school films.

Arthur's back-to-school surprise cover

Back to School - Children (53 items)

A list curated by Children’s Librarians to help your young ones get ready and accustomed to school.

Born on a blue day : inside the extraordinary mind of an autistic savant : a memoir cover

Voices on the Spectrum (19 items)

Inspiring journeys into extraordinary minds

Electronic Resources

Blog Posts

It's Time for High School Choice!

Do you have teens in your life who will be attending high school in Philly next year? They’ve got options. It is time for High School choice selection! The Philadelphia High School system is large, diverse, and has much to offer.…

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Picture Book Highlights | Back to School!

It's hard to believe summer is almost over, isn't it? But the good news is that a new school year is about to start! There's something exciting about beginning fresh another year of learning. Perhaps you're going back to…

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It's Back to School Time at the Free Library!

We have loved spending our summer with you, and now we’re just as excited to get back to school! The start of a new school year can look different for everyone. Most students are returning to the classroom, while some may continue…

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Picture Book Highlights | Back to School

A new school year is upon us and so many new experiences on the horizon! Starting something new can include a mix of excitement and butterflies-in-your-tummy. What better way to get ready than by reading a book that reflects those…

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Join the Cobbs Creek Library for a Community Fair!

As Philadelphia students gear up to return to school at the end of the month, we hope you’ll join the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library on Friday, August 27 from 12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. for a Community Fair . The Community…

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Back to School Resources for Students, Families, and Teachers

Many students, parents, caregivers, and teachers are wondering what the upcoming school year is going to look like. The Free Library is here to help you!   Back to School Basics The first day of classes for Philadelphia School…

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Take a GED® or HiSET® Preparation Course with the Free Library

Have you been thinking about returning to school to obtain your high school diploma? Whether you want to qualify for a higher-paying job, get a promotion, continue your education, or simply fulfill a personal goal—…

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Back to School Resources and Programs for Students

The new school year starts this week throughout Philadelphia and whether students will be attending school in-person and / or virtually, the Free Library is ready to help with resources and programs to help make the school year a…

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Philly School Fairs Help Fulfill Needs and Goals of Students

Every year, Great Schools Philly hosts the Philly High School Fair , an opportunity for students to find the schools that fit the futures they want to build. For the third year in a row, the Free Library got to attend! Nestled in a sea…

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Back to School 2019: Becoming an Attendance Hero with Read by 4th!

School is back in session! If you’re a caregiver, your mind is probably buzzing with questions like: Is my child a strong reader ? What subject will my child fall in love with this year? What new friends will my child make this…

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Ah, the First Day of School...

Today is a big day, Philly! It marks the first day of school for the School District of Philadelphia , as the 2019-2020 school year is now officially underway! To celebrate, a few of our trusty Free Library staff members are sharing…

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Go Back to School with the Free Library!

The calendar still says August, and the weather forecast still says summer, but the new school year is just around the corner— School District of Philadelphia will ring the bell to begin classes on Tuesday, September 3! …

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Better Together: The Free Library Partners with Schools

Now more than ever , students and teachers at our schools need the information and skills that librarians and libraries can provide. This year, the Free Library is working to spread the word about the information, ideas, and resources…

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Back to School Resources | The Artemis Literary Database

Who remembers having to visit the library and look up magazine articles in the long, long row of green hardbound Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature ? No disrespect against the Reader’s Guide— it’s still a…

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Comic Books Go To College!

Headed to college this fall? Wish you were still in school? Totally over school but still want to read about it? Live vicariously through some strong ladies starting college in these sometimes fun, sometimes dangerous graphic novels…

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Picture Book Highlights | Back to School Edition

It's that time of year again—the start of a new school year! For all little ones, this is always a time of excitement and some nervousness. It’s only natural though, as new experiences can be hard for everyone. Maybe…

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Back to School Resources from the Free Library

The calendar still says August, and the weather forecast still says summer, but the new school year starts earlier this year on Monday, August 27 !  After a summer full of books and fun activities at the Free Library, check out all…

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Camp Play and Learn

Are you ready for the new school year? Do you have a child  entering 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade in the Fall? Get a back-to-school boost with Camp Play and Learn! At Camp Play and Learn, children will stretch their minds and…

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Back to School Resources for Teens at Parkway Central and Beyond!

Summer absolutely flew by and it’s now time to get back into a new school year. If you’re wondering how you’ll cope with all of the assignments and homework coming your way, the Free Library of Philadelphia has got you…

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Start Your School Year Off Right with These Free Online Resources!

Is everyone ready for the start of another school year? At the Free Library of Philadelphia, we spent the last few weeks of our summer brushing up on the wonderful online resources available on our website to get up to speed for a…

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Podcasts

W. Kamau Bell with Kate Schatz | <i>Do the Work!: An Antiracist Activity Book</i>
W. Kamau Bell with Kate Schatz | Do the Work!: An Antiracist Activity Book