Only critique — and it’s minor ’cause these folks are heroes to me — is there appears to be a false dichotomy within the report between “neighborhoods” and “middle-class families”, one that elides the presence of Northeast Philadelphia.
These generally conservative neighborhoods are not particularly concerned about schools in North Philadelphia or whether young urban professionals move to the suburbs.
They have the newest schools in the city.
They have politicians like John Perzel who adeptly defend their interests.
North of Cottman lies nearly thirteen percent of the city’s population; North of the Pennypack nine percent of the city lives. Not a huge proportion, but enough to influence the educational landscape.
