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
Illinois is giving public more time to weigh in on changes to school accountability system

State Superintendent Tony Sanders says the state board will provide more time for feedback on changes to the accountability system that labels schools based on student metrics. The new timeline includes more public feedback opportunities and delays a final vote by the state board to April.

By 
Samantha Smylie
 | Today, 8:38pm UTC
Parent leaders push Mamdani to keep Eric Adams’ schools chancellor, at least for now

Some parent groups are pushing Mamdani to consult families and educators before he makes a final decision about who should run the nation’s largest school system.

By 
Alex Zimmerman
 | Today, 7:52pm UTC
Increasing Memphis school bus services would cost at least $10 million, leaders say

MSCS board members say expanding bus eligibility will reduce ICE-related absenteeism. But they haven’t set a deadline to put changes in place.

By 
Bri Hatch
 | Today, 3:14am UTC
Xóchitl Gaytán elected as president of Denver school board for a second time

Gaytán was reelected last month to a second four-year term on the board. She previously served a two-year stint as president from 2021 through 2023.

By 
Melanie Asmar
 | Today, 1:54am UTC
Colorado’s longtime higher ed executive director announces exit

Angie Paccione has served as the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s executive director since 2019.

By 
Jason Gonzales
 | Today, 12:36am UTC
NYC’s dual enrollment surge: How more high school students are earning degrees for free

As community college enrollment dips, dual enrollment programs are booming, often saving families thousands of dollars in tuition and putting students on a path to higher education.

By 
Amy Zimmer
 | December 2