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- calendar_today October 14, 2026
Introduction: Push to Save Lankenau High School Intensifies
Efforts to prevent the closure and potential redevelopment of Lankenau High School have gained new momentum as two zoning bills make their way through Philadelphia City Council. The school, which is the city’s only environmental magnet high school, is scheduled to close next year as part of a sweeping facilities plan approved by the Board of Education. The proposed legislation seeks to restrict the future use of the property at 201 Spring Lane in Upper Roxborough to educational and public-serving purposes only.
Background: Lankenau School Closure Planned Under Facilities Plan
In April, the Board of Education approved a 10-year, $3 billion school facilities plan that includes closing 17 schools across Philadelphia, among them Lankenau High School. The plan outlines the merging of Lankenau’s programs with those of Walter B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences. While the school district intends to continue environmental education citywide starting in the 2028-29 school year, the future of the Lankenau property remains a central concern for community members and education advocates.
First Zoning Bill Targets School Property Use
The first of two zoning bills, introduced in the spring by Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., aims to rezone the area surrounding Lankenau High School for "civic, educational, and medical" use. This measure, scheduled for a second reading during an upcoming City Council meeting, would prohibit future residential, office, industrial, or commercial development on the site without a zoning variance and approval from Registered Community Organizations in the area. The intent is to ensure the property continues to serve public institutions and minimize negative impacts on the surrounding community.
Second Measure Extends Environmental Protections
A second piece of legislation introduced by Councilmember Jones seeks to extend the existing Roxborough environmental overlay to specifically cover the Lankenau school building. Similar overlays currently apply to portions of the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education and Fox Chase Farm. Under the proposal, land use at Lankenau would be limited to natural resource preservation, community gardens, and educational facilities. Joshua Cohen, chief of staff for Jones, expressed optimism about the measures, stating, "We have not given up hope that Lankenau will remain a school. We continue that fight every day."
Partnerships and Legal Disputes Over Property Use
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, which neighbors the Lankenau property and partners with its environmental programming, has raised concerns about the district's closure plan. The center claims it holds the right to repurchase the property if it is no longer used for educational purposes, referencing agreements dating back to 1973 when it sold the land under that condition. Executive Director Erin Mooney has publicly questioned whether the district’s plan could duplicate environmental services already provided in the area and has opposed converting the site to workforce housing, which had been previously suggested.
Outlook: Community and Council Responses
Councilmember Jones and his office anticipate strong support for the zoning bills in City Council votes. The fate of Lankenau High School and its property, however, remains uncertain as the district has not publicly commented on the legislative proposals. As the debate continues, advocates for environmental education and community use are seeking to ensure that the legacy of Lankenau High School is preserved for future generations.
Source: phillyvoice.com.
