The Upper Darby School Board voted last week to close Charles Kelly Elementary School in Drexel Hill at the end of the 2025-26 school year, writes Mark Nemirow for the Daily Times.
There are 285 students at the school, which opened in 2007 at the former St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School building on Dennison Ave. to ease overcrowding in the school district.
The district does not own the building, which needs upgrades, and decided it could save $460,000 by closing the school.
The school closure will mean changes for some students attending Highland Park, Hillcrest, Stonehurst, and Aronimink elementary schools.
“We recognize that the decision to close an elementary school comes with a lot of emotions, especially for a school that has served its community so well for so many years,” said Upper Darby School District Superintendent Dr. Daniel P. McGarry.
The district met with staff and community members about the school closing over the past few months before the school board vote.
No staff will lose their position from the closure, and it will actually put the district in a better position to staff the new Clifton Heights Middle School set to open in 2026, McGarry said.
Find out more about the decision to close Charles Kelly Elementary in the Daily Times.
