Philly-Area Schools Announce Closures, Delays, and Remote Learning for Thursday

Bitterly cold temperatures and lingering effects of weekend snow impact school schedules.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:47pm

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Schools across the Philadelphia region are announcing closures, delayed openings, and remote learning days for Thursday, January 29th, as the area continues to recover from a major winter storm over the weekend. The School District of Philadelphia and Archdiocese of Philadelphia high schools will reopen for in-person learning, but many other districts and schools are taking alternative measures.

Why it matters

School closures and delays can significantly disrupt families' schedules and create challenges for working parents. The extreme cold temperatures also pose safety risks for students and staff traveling to and from school. These announcements aim to balance educational needs with public health and safety concerns.

The details

While Philadelphia's public and parochial high schools will resume in-person classes, many other schools in the surrounding Delaware Valley region are opting for delayed openings, full closures, or remote learning days on Thursday. Parochial elementary schools in the city will receive direct communication from their local leadership about their specific plans.

  • The winter storm hit the Philadelphia area over the past weekend.
  • Schools are announcing their plans for Thursday, January 29, 2026.

The players

School District of Philadelphia

The public school district serving the city of Philadelphia.

Archdiocese of Philadelphia

The Catholic diocese overseeing parochial schools in the Philadelphia region.

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The takeaway

This series of school schedule changes highlights the ongoing challenges communities face in balancing educational needs with public health and safety concerns, especially during extreme weather events.