Is There School Today? Philadelphia School District Moves to Virtual Learning After Snow and Ice
If you are asking, is there school today, the answer depends on where you live, but for families in the School District of Philadelphia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 will not be a normal in-person school day. District leaders announced that all schools and early childhood centers will operate virtually, citing lingering snow and ice and hazardous travel conditions across the region.
The decision keeps instruction going while reducing the need for students and staff to commute on streets and sidewalks that can stay slick for days after a major storm, especially when temperatures remain bitterly cold.
What’s happening with the School District of Philadelphia today
The Philadelphia school district said all schools and offices are operating virtually on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. In the same update, the district also canceled all after-school activities scheduled for the day, including athletics and professional development sessions.
Families should expect students to follow their school’s remote-learning plan, including log-in expectations and attendance procedures that may differ by grade level and program. Further specifics were not immediately available.
The district indicated it will continue monitoring conditions and will share any schedule changes through its standard communication channels.
How much snow did Philadelphia get and why it still matters
Snow totals across the city varied by neighborhood, but official snowfall reports show the storm delivered a meaningful accumulation that can take time to clear from curb cuts, bus stops, and narrower side streets.
Final snowfall reports list 9.3 inches at Philadelphia International Airport, with several city locations near 9 inches, including an area just southeast of Center City and near the Sports Complex. Other reported totals in the city included 8.3 inches in Fox Chase, 7.0 inches in Bustleton, and 6.4 inches in the Rittenhouse Square area.
Just outside the city, amounts were often similar or higher, with some nearby communities reporting totals in the upper single digits and low double digits. Some specifics have not been publicly clarified about which measurements best represent every neighborhood, but the broader picture is clear: plowing and salting are still catching up, and refreezing can quickly undo daytime progress.
How school closure decisions typically work in winter weather
When a winter storm hits, school systems generally weigh more than the snowfall number. The process often includes checks on road passability, sidewalk conditions near schools, the ability of buses and other student transportation to run safely, and whether staff can reasonably travel in from surrounding counties.
District leaders also factor in building readiness, including whether facilities teams can access schools to address heat, power, and snow removal needs. Even after plows make major roads passable, smaller streets and pedestrian routes can remain dangerous, which matters for students who walk to school or rely on public transit connections. Virtual learning is frequently used as a middle option that preserves instruction time while reducing travel risks.
Who’s affected and what families can do next
The switch to remote learning lands differently across the city. Students benefit from staying on pace academically, but households without consistent internet access or quiet study space can face real challenges. Parents and caregivers may need to adjust work schedules, arrange childcare, or coordinate device sharing between siblings. School staff are also affected, especially employees who commute long distances or rely on public transportation during disrupted service and reduced sidewalk access.
Families can help the day go more smoothly by confirming device charging, checking any teacher messages or class platforms early in the morning, and setting a simple plan for attendance and assignments. If your child’s program requires specialized services, it may be worth checking for program-specific guidance issued by the school.
In the days ahead, the next key milestone is the district’s next schedule update for Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, which would be shared through the same official alert channels if conditions change.
