Mayor Parker’s Extended Day/Extended Year (EDEY) initiative includes 30 district-run schools and 10 charter schools. EDEY schools provide free:

• Before and after school care
• Enhanced enrichment
• Winter break camp
• Spring break camp
• Six weeks of summer camp

Learn More

Bell Schedule

School Day: 7:30 am-2:09 pm
Breakfast: 7:15 am-7:45 am
Lunch: 10:15 am-12:30 pm (3 sections)
Recess: 10:15 am-12:30 pm (3 sections)

For details on early dismissals, inclement weather procedures, delayed openings, and emergency closings, please refer to the Parent & Student Handbook.

Specific student schedules may differ depending on class sections.

Attendance

Attendance matters! The consistency for both students and teachers is critical to success. Consequences can come from excessive or unexcused absences.

• Attendance Policy
• Absence Excuse Form
• Helpful information, toolkits, and other resources to support your child’s attendance success

Out-of-School Time (OST)
Out-of-School Time (OST) is the time that a child or youth spends in after school or summer programming. In Philadelphia, OST programs are provided for young people in grades K through 12.
➔ Learn more and find a program near you

Summer Programs
Explore free summer programs from the School District of Philadelphia that keep students learning, engaged, and prepared for success.
➔ Learn more about opportunities for your student over the summer. 

• Choir
• Dance Club
• Instrumental

• The Mayor’s Office, Extended Day Extended Year
• Boys and Girls Club
• Settlement Music School
• Girls on the Run
• Vetri Cooking Club
• Philadelphia Youth Basketball (PYB)

Our School offers several programs to broaden the horizons of our young scholars. We offer a variety of activities and clubs geared toward student interests and abilities.

• Cooking Club
• Dance Club
• Choir
• Running Club

• The Philadelphia Tribune: School of the Week: Edwin Forrest: A place where students are educated, loved, and respected
• The Philadelphia Inquirer: Inside one Philly elementary school where emergency-certified teachers are welcomed
• The Northeast Times: Ex-Eagle Avant leads drills for Forrest students
• Fox 29 Kelly’s Classroom: Teacher of the Month Surprise
• Scripps Spelling Bee: 2025 Educator of the Year, presented by Teach For America

• 2025 Scripps Spelling Bee Educator of the Year
• 2025 January Teacher of the Month

➔ Forrest Parent & Student Handbook
➔ District – Student Code of Conduct & Discipline Process

Policies

• Attendance
• Dress Code – Uniforms
• Cell Phone Policy
• Report Bullying, Harassment, or Discrimination
• Student Health & Safety

Annual Notification of Rights under FERPA
The School District of Philadelphia is required to annually notify parents and eligible students of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). These rights include the right to inspect and review education records, request amendments, consent to disclosures, and file a complaint.

➔ View the Annual FERPA Notice

For questions,  contact the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

• Students are expected to wear appropriate clothing at all times, including shirts, pants, shorts, dresses, skirts, and proper footwear.
• *T-shirts or hoodies (swag) with the Forrest Logo can be purchased in the office. Prices may vary.
• Forrest Swag can be worn on any day.

Shirt/Top: Collared Shirts (red)
Pants/Bottoms: Khaki pants, shorts, or skirts (Blue)
Footwear: Shoes or Sneakers

Not Permitted: open-toed shoes

If a student violates the dress code:

• A parent/guardian may be contacted
• The school may provide loaner clothing, or request a change of clothes be brought to school

If you have barriers to obtaining a uniform, contact wraudenbush@philasd.org.

➔ See our uniform policy for more details.

The School District of Philadelphia provides a variety of programs and services in many languages to support our multilingual families. Students whose first language is not English may qualify for ESOL services.

Need Help? Contact your school’s Bilingual Counseling Assistant

Programs & Services

• Multilingual Curriculum and Programs
  Learn more about the different programs and opportunities offered for multilingual students and families, and to get assistance with any District-related questions or processes.

• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Dual Language (Bilingual)
• Newcomer Learner Academy (NLA)

• Language Access Support Services
  Learn more about accessing interpretation/translation services, including Bilingual Counseling Assistants (BCAs) assigned to your school, and other resources.
• Language Access Concern
  Your feedback is essential in helping us improve language access within our District. If you’ve encountered a language-related challenge, such as a communication barrier, translation issue, or interpretation challenge, your input helps us improve our services.

Our school is committed to providing specialized services to children in the least restrictive environment, as required by the law. Students receive accommodations and modifications as outlined in their Individualized Educational Program (IEP).

The District provides an extensive range of educational services and supports for students with diverse needs within our schools.

➔ Learn more about IEPs and Special Education Programs.