Closings prompt big adjustments at receiving schools

The K-8th grade Henry Lea School in West Philadelphia also faces new challenges. Lea is increasing from 400 students last school year to 635, with the extra 235 children coming from the now-closed Alexander Wilson School.

Still, said Sterling Baltimore, the director of the Lea Community School, an afterschool partnership between the West Philadelphia community, the University of Pennsylvania and the School District, “I think the overall attitude will be how to make Lea even better. ... It will all come down to good leadership, and Dr. Harrison has a strong record.” Sonya Harrison, the new principal this fall at Lea, is the former head of Wilson, and is respected for her work there, Baltimore said.

Read the full story in The Notebook here.