Philadelphia Schools Dismiss Early Tuesday Due to Extreme Heat

Fifty-two Philadelphia schools will dismiss early on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, because they lack adequate air-conditioning systems to handle the region's extreme heat.

District policy mandates early dismissal if temperatures are forecast to reach 85 degrees by noon, a threshold triggered by the current heatwave affecting the city.

Deputy Superintendent Oz Hill stated that while the district aims for full air-conditioning by 2027, upgrading electrical systems in older buildings remains a significant challenge for the school board.