NWR: Philadelphia School System (sorry long)

My sister just put my niece in public school out there and when I mention to people that my niece is in a Philly public school, they tell me how horrible the school system is out there. My sister had her in a GREAT school in Forest Hills, Queens before she moved back to PA. My niece was in kindergarten learning first grade level. She is very far advanced for first grader. When I went up there to send her off to the first grade, the school looked beat up and had graffiti on it. I know that doesnt mean anything but Im just worried about my niece. I dont want her in a bad school. Does anyone know anything about the Philadelphia school system?

I dont mean to offend anyone either who has gone to a Philly public school. And I know there are run down schools all over, its just that my niece means the world to me and I want her to have the best education possible.

I hear the same thing...i think the philly school system was one of the things that kept philly from the 'top cities of the US' or whatever...

There are a lot of really great school districts in the suburbs though...