West Passyunk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Passyunk
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Universal Vare Charter School in Winter
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| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia |
| City | Philadelphia |
| ZIP code |
19145
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| Area code(s) | Area codes 215, 267, and 445 |
West Passyunk is a lively neighborhood located in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's a part of the big city of Philadelphia. The neighborhood has clear borders: Mifflin Street to the north, West Passyunk Avenue to the south, South 18th Street to the east, and South 25th Street to the west. It's a great place to live with many things to do and see.
Contents
Learning and Schools
Kids living in West Passyunk go to schools run by the School District of Philadelphia. This means that where you live helps decide which school you attend.
Elementary Schools
Younger students, from kindergarten to fourth or eighth grade, go to one of these schools:
- Stephen Girard School, located at 18th Street and Snyder Avenue.
- James Alcorn Elementary at 32nd and Dickinson Street.
- Delaplaine McDaniel Elementary School at 21st and Moore Streets.
Middle and High Schools
For middle school, students in grades five to eight might attend:
- Norris S. Barratt Middle School at 16th and Wharton Streets.
- Universal Vare Charter School, which used to be called Edwin H. Vare Middle School, at 24th Street and Snyder Avenue.
When it's time for high school, most students from West Passyunk go to South Philadelphia High School. It is located at Broad Street and Snyder Avenue.
Specialty and Private Schools
There are also other school options nearby. The GAMP is a special school for grades five to twelve. It focuses on performing arts like music and theater. GAMP is located at 22nd and Ritner Streets.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia also runs private schools in the area. St. Monica School teaches students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. It has two locations: 1725 West Ritner Street and 16th and Porter Streets. Another option is St. Thomas Aquinas Parish School, also for pre-kindergarten to eighth grade, at 1718 Morris Street.
Local Library
The Free Library of Philadelphia has a branch that serves West Passyunk. It's called the Thomas F. Donatucci, Sr. Branch. You can find it at 20th and Shunk Streets. This library is a great place to find books, study, and use computers. It got its current name in 2004.
Parks and Fun Places
West Passyunk has some wonderful places for outdoor activities and relaxation.
Thomas B. Smith Recreation Center
The Thomas B. Smith Recreation Center is a large park area. It covers 7.6 acres at 2100 S 24th Street. This center has lots of fun things to do, including:
- Playground equipment for kids to play on.
- A sprayground, which is perfect for cooling off on hot days.
- Courts for basketball and handball.
- Fields for different sports, including a football field with artificial turf.
- A fitness trail for walking or running.
- Shade structures with solar panels, which are good for the environment.
The building at the center has three rooms. It includes a public computing center where you can use computers. There are also multi-purpose spaces that host many activities for young people. The site was named after Mayor Thomas B. Smith in 1917.
Warriner Park Triangle
Along 24th Street, from McKean Street to Passyunk Avenue, there is a lovely tree-lined parkway. It's a nice path for walking. This path leads to a triangular park called Warriner Park. In Warriner Park, you can see a monument dedicated to Major General John Fulton Reynolds.
Getting Around West Passyunk
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) helps people get around West Passyunk. They operate several bus routes in the area:
- Route 79 travels east and west on Snyder Avenue.
- Route 37 travels east and west on Passyunk Avenue.
- Route 17 goes southbound on 19th Street and northbound on 20th Street.
- Route 7 goes northbound on 22nd Street and southbound on 23rd Street.
These buses make it easy for residents to travel to different parts of the city.
Community Group
The West Passyunk Neighbors Association (WPNA) is an important group in the neighborhood. It is made up of volunteers, including people who live, own property, and run businesses in West Passyunk. This group works to make the community a better place for everyone.
