Original Research by School Decision on Daroff Cs
Daroff Charter School permanently closed in August 2022 after the Philadelphia Board of Education voted not to renew its charter. The school served K-8 students in West Philadelphia's Haddington neighborhood and operated under the Renaissance Schools Initiative, managed by Universal Companies. When the board declined to renew, Universal ended its contract and the combined board of Daroff and its sister school, Bluford Charter, could not locate a replacement management company or hire sufficient staff to run both schools. The closure came with minimal notice; families had only days to find new placements before the school year began.
For families living in the Haddington area, this represents a lasting shift in neighborhood school options. Daroff no longer exists as a K-8 charter choice. The Philadelphia Board of Education cited low proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science, as well as financial viability concerns, as reasons for the nonrenewal. The school's closure reflected a broader issue: the Renaissance Schools Initiative, under which Daroff had operated, was intended to improve student achievement at transferred district schools, but those gains were not realized.
Students displaced by the closure were directed to Bluford Charter School or invited to enroll in District-run alternatives in neighboring attendance zones, including Barry, Rhoads, Cassidy, Hamilton, Bryant, McMichael, Gompers, MYA, and Powel. Transportation was provided for families who chose schools outside their immediate zone. This redistribution left West Philadelphia families without a neighborhood K-8 charter option and required them to navigate enrollment in either charter or traditional District schools instead.
No enrollment data, test results, or current operational information is available for Daroff because the school is no longer operating. The closure occurred in August 2022, making it a closed entity. Families in the area seeking K-8 schooling now plan around the remaining charter and District options rather than Daroff.
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