While the Philadelphia Public School system is in shambles, there is at least some positive news for the Kearney School. Located at 601 Fairmount Ave., the school was established in 1921, according to Philaplace, and named for Civil War general Phillip P. Kearney. In its early years it served to educate the children of the many Jewish immigrants who lived along Marshall Street. In more recent years, space constraints at the school were becoming an issue.

Kearny School

Almost a year ago, we first told you about plans for an expansion to the school, including a new multi-purpose room that doubles as a gym and four new classrooms with lab space. At that time, the addition was all but a collection of masonry and construction materials. But thankfully, it was completed in time for the beginning of the school year.

Completed addition, from the north

Across the street, Tower Investments will soon build nine single-family homes in the place of a warehouse. Nearby on 3rd Street, twenty single-family homes were recently completed. Two blocks to the north at 5th & Poplar, there are various projects coming online in the next year. There, a warehouse was razed to make for 21-homes, and just north of that along Poplar, 22 new homes are being constructed. Plus, a row of ultra-luxury houses are still being finished at 6th & Poplar.

It’s great indeed to see a neighborhood school expand. And with all the new building in Northern Liberties and all the young families coming to the area, it seems like soon enough they may need even more space at Kearny.

–Lou Mancinelli