William Rowen Elementary School is named in honor of William Rowen, a longtime Philadelphia civic and education leader who served on the Philadelphia Board of Education for 30 years, including 12 years as its president. Rowen played an important role in the development of several Philadelphia public schools and was remembered as a strong advocate for children and public education. His dedication to educational opportunity and service continues to reflect the values of the school community today.

The William Rowen School building was designed by renowned Philadelphia school architect Irwin T. Catharine and constructed in 1937–1938. Designed in the Georgian Revival and Moderne styles, the building was dedicated in 1938 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 in recognition of its architectural significance.

For generations, William Rowen Elementary School has proudly served students and families in Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane community. Today, the school continues its tradition of academic excellence, community partnership, and creating a welcoming environment where students are encouraged to learn, grow, and achieve their goals.

Bell Schedule

• School Day: 9:00 AM – 3:39 PM
• Breakfast: 8:45 AM
• Lunch/Recess:
  • Grades K–1: 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
  • Grades 2–3: 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
  • Grades 4–5: 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM

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

• Award-Winning Student Artwork – During the 2024–2025 school year, our students’ artwork was showcased at City Hall and featured in the School District of Philadelphia’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2025.
• Green Schools Grant Recipient – Rowen proudly received the City’s Green Schools Grant during the 2025–2026 school year, supporting environmental education.
• Healthy NewsWorks – Our fourth-grade students publish our schoolwide newspaper, researching real-world health topics, strengthening their writing and critical thinking skills, and informing our school community through authentic journalism.

Student-Centered Learning Projects

• Black “Living” History Museum
• The 3rd Grade Riverbend Community of Practice Museum
• Kindergarten Annual ABC Fashion Show

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.

• Art Club (K–2) (3–5)
• Book Club
• Cooking Club
• Dance/Step Club
• Drama/Performing Arts
• Etiquette Club
• Football Club
• Geodes/Reading Club
• Legos/Robotics Club
• Music/Drumming Club
• Running Club
• Scrabble Club

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.

Participation in sports requires a completed physical form signed by a doctor.

Available Sports

• IM Running
• Football

Elementary Intramural Sports
Grades K–5 learn fundamentals, good sportsmanship, and team-building skills.

Students are expected to wear appropriate school attire each day, including approved uniform tops, bottoms, and closed-toe shoes.

Our uniform policy is designed to promote school pride, eliminate distractions, ensure student safety, and keep dress affordable for all families. All students in grades K–5 are expected to arrive at school in full uniform every day.

Shirt/Top

• Short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirts with a collar (polo-style or button-down)
• Permitted Colors: White, Navy Blue, Light Blue, or any variation of Blue (e.g., Royal Blue, Sky Blue).
• Guidelines: Shirts must be solid colored, plain, and free of large logos, graphics, or brand names.

Skirts/Pants/Bottoms

• Skirts & Jumpers: Girls may wear uniform skirts, skorts, or jumpers in navy blue, black, or tan. All skirts must be knee-length or longer.
• Shorts: All students are permitted to wear uniform shorts in navy blue, black, or tan. All shorts must be knee-length.
• Permitted Colors: Navy Blue, Black, and Tan/Khaki.
• Guidelines: Bottoms must be plain and solid-colored. No denim/jeans unless there is a Dress Down Day. Sweatpants are permitted outside of physical education days and leggings worn as pants are prohibited.

Footwear & Outerwear

• Footwear: For safety reasons—especially during recess and gym—students should wear closed-toe shoes or sneakers. Closed-toe shoes, including sneakers or boots, may be worn during inclement weather.
• Cold-Weather Outerwear: Cardigans, sweaters, or fleece jackets worn inside the classroom should be solid navy blue, black, or tan. Heavy winter coats and hoods may not be worn in class, unless stated otherwise by Administration.

Not Permitted

• Hoodies
• Sandals, flip-flops, slides, and high heels

If a student violates the dress code:

• A temporary uniform shirt may be provided for the day.
• Students will be assigned lunch detention.
• Families may be contacted if needed.

Families facing financial hardship or requiring religious/medical accommodations regarding the uniform should contact the main office. We are committed to ensuring every child has access to a proper uniform.
➔ See our uniform policy for more details.

➜ Parent/Student Handbook & Code of Conduct
➜ District – Student Code of Conduct & Discipline Process

Policies

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

School Improvement Plan – Title I Documents
➜ View your school’s School Improvement Plan
➜ Request a translation of your school’s plan

If you do not have web access or need additional assistance, please contact planningsupports@philasd.org for support.

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.

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.