New Lower School

With $135 million in gifts from generous parents and caregivers, faculty and staff, OPCs and many other friends, our community’s commitment to a vibrant Penn Charter has taken us far. How far? We have now reached another milestone. We are making way for our new lower school. That’s How Far!

Beginning the week of July 17, 2023, preparations began to demolish the Dooney Field House, the site of the future new lower school.

This webpage is meant to help students, parents and caregivers, faculty and staff, and all other campus visitors understand how traffic, pedestrian egress and parking will be affected in the area surrounding the construction site as well as other areas of the school. The page will also provide progress updates and other emerging project information.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please email us at newlowerschool@penncharter.com.

Note: All information on this page is subject to change; information on student drop-off and pick-up at each division during the 2023-24 school year will be available in by the end of August 2023.

View Live Construction Camera

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this momentous time in our school's long history.

Campus Access

School House Lane (Front of School)

The School House Lane entrance will be open all summer 2023 and during the 2023-24 school year.
There is no longer through traffic on campus. Drivers are no longer able to enter campus at School House Lane and drive to the back of campus or to Coulter Street/Fox Lane.
During August 2023, a portion of the front field will be converted to allow for parking during the 2023-24 school year.
A permanent parking lot will be constructed in the area of this temporary lot during the summer of 2024. Field space will remain for student use after this permanent parking lot is constructed.

Coulter Street/Fox Lane (Back of School)

The Coulter Street/Fox Lane entrance will be open all summer 2023 and during the 2023-24 school year.
There is no longer through traffic on campus. Drivers are no longer able to enter campus from Coulter Street/Fox Lane and drive to the front of campus or to School House Lane.
Visitors who wish to park near the Middle School must enter campus at Coulter Street/Fox Lane.
As we prepare for demolition in mid-July 2023, during construction, and going forward after the completion of the new Lower School, the only parking lot accessible from Coulter Street/Fox Lane will be in front of the Middle School.

Pedestrian Travel

Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Parking

On Campus

Middle School Lot
Open during construction, accessible from Fox Lane only

Dooney and Graham Athletic Center (GAC) Lot
Closed permanently at start of demolition (Late July 2023)

Kurtz Lot
Open during construction, accessible from School House Lane only

Timmons Lot
Open during construction (lot will close summer 2024 for renovations)

Strawbridge Lot (opposite side of School House Lane)
Open during construction

Upper School Lot (in front of Main Building)
Open during construction, accessible from School House Lane only

Off Campus

Parking Prohibitions

Student Parking

Construction Information

Construction hours will be 7 am to 3:30 pm.
Construction traffic will be kept to a minimum during drop-off and pick-up hours.
In adherence with school policies, contractors will have required clearances.
Contractors are expected to follow all campus guidelines and policies.

About the New Lower School

Penn Charter's new lower school will reshape learning for our youngest learners and unite pre-K to 12 students in a vibrant academic community. The school will be designed to reflect PC's curriculum and what research tells us about the way children learn and grow. Through the school's ample learning and playing spaces, students will be provided with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a complex world.

Highlights of the New Lower School

80,000-square feet of interior space for pre-K to 5 students
Outdoor learning and community spaces; all classrooms on the first floor will have classroom access to outdoor playgrounds
Outdoor classrooms on second-floor rooftops
A library with more than 2,500 square feet of working space along with a glass classroom, an outside patio, and a reading nook
A "Friendship Hall" outside the library to offer a flexible space for student activities, displays of student work, parent/caregiver gatherings, and more
A health suite with ample space for student care and a dedicated bathroom
A "Discovery Room" for students to engage in active indoor play and projects
An "Activities Room" that includes a stage for performances and more, a large drop down screen and projector for assembly activities, and technology for classroom activities
An Idea Lab
And more!

Breadcrumbs