Program
School District of Philadelphia classroom volunteers
Lets a Philadelphia resident volunteer in a public school classroom once the school agrees and the volunteer has finished the required clearances and orientation.
- Low cost
- Clearances needed
- Background check
Saved in this browser only.
What they do
Help a teacher in a classroom at a school you choose. Before you start, you complete the required checks, the district's volunteer orientation, and a code of conduct signed for the principal.
Who it is for
- Who can join
- Open to anyone
- Who is there
- Kids
When and where
How often you come is set with the school. The district page does not give a schedule or a time commitment.
A Philadelphia public school, arranged with the school first
We do not have a meeting place for this group yet.
Your first visit
Feeling unsure the first time is normal. Most groups are glad when someone new walks in.
First step: Ask the school whether it needs volunteers, then start the free clearances and sign up for the district's volunteer orientation..
Check with the group before you show up. You need to sign up first.
What to expect
Most of the first stretch is paperwork: the child abuse history clearance, the state criminal history check, and either an FBI check with fingerprints or a signed affirmation if you have lived in Pennsylvania for 10 years. Next comes the orientation, either an online webinar of about 45 minutes with a short quiz or an in person session led by a family engagement liaison. The page does not say how often volunteers come or how long they stay.
Tips for your first visit
- Check with the school first, because each school decides whether it needs volunteers.
- Start the child abuse history clearance early, since the page says results can take up to 14 days.
- Finish the orientation within 45 days of starting, and hand the signed code of conduct to the principal.
- If you have not lived in Pennsylvania for the past 10 years, pre-enroll with IdentoGo before your fingerprint appointment.
Newcomer welcome
Takes some effort for newcomers (2 out of 5). Why we say this: Volunteers must finish clearances, an orientation and a principal's sign-off before they start, so you see the classroom only after the paperwork..
Cost and commitment
- Cost
- Low cost. No program fee. The state child abuse history and criminal history checks are free. An FBI fingerprint check costs $23.25, and applies only if you have not lived in Pennsylvania for the past 10 years.
Access and languages
- Wheelchair access
- We do not know yet. Ask the group before you go.
- Languages spoken
- We do not know yet which languages are spoken.
Requirements
Pennsylvania child clearances
This group works with children. Pennsylvania law says adults who volunteer with children need clearances. The usual ones are a child abuse history check and a State Police criminal record check. Some people also need an FBI fingerprint check. Ask the group which ones you need and how to get them. For unpaid volunteers, the clearances last five years.
- This group asks for a background check.
How to reach them
We copy contact details as the group or a public source published them. Each one shows where it came from.
- Website: philasd.org Source: philasd.org, seen October 4, 2026 ; Source: philasd.org, seen October 8, 2026
- Phone: 215-400-4180 Source: philasd.org, seen October 8, 2026
Sources and last check
Checked by our research team on October 8, 2026. This was a closer look, including what a first visit is like.
- Last seen active
- October 2026 (See the evidence)
- Last checked by our team
- October 8, 2026
- Status
- Active
- Our confidence in this listing
- Medium
- philasd.org, seen October 4, 2026. Supports: Name, Website, Summary, Audience, Requirements, Status
- philasd.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Summary, What they do, Schedule, Cost, Requirements, First step, Contacts, Location
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