With nearly 100 colleges, universities, and technical schools in the Philly area, not to mention the many public and private schools, finding a classroom backdrop for your next music video, short film production, or class is a breeze.
Working industry professionals, whether they are teachers or filmmakers, will appreciate the useful venues in the city. And renting space for a project is super easy when you use the Giggster platform. We curate a list of the best school locations for rent in Philadelphia so that you can narrow down your search and secure a venue that suits your style, budget, and vision.
Giggster is your gateway to stylish and affordable school locations, so download the app, search and filter the listings, and you'll end up with the perfect setting for a movie, music video, fundraiser, birthday, or workshop.
Ideal for anyone in the film industry, in the entertainment business, or teachers who are short on time, the Giggster app will clearly show all of our locations, like . Whatever you're looking for to take your event to the next level, you'll find it here.
Students can set up for a day of learning at the neatly placed rows of desks, and lessons are easily explained using the chalkboards, whiteboards, or AV equipment.
Discover campuses and learning facilities in every Philadelphia neighborhood you can imagine—from South Philly to North Philly and everywhere in between. We also have spots just outside the city in nearby towns like Radnor and Sicklerville.
Your class or crew size won't be an issue because our venues can accommodate 60 or more people quite comfortably.
School locations can vary in style to match your preferences. Pick brightly-colored classrooms tailored to younger kids or stylish venues perfect for adults.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Check out our 4 convenient school venues where you can make documentary films or teach a media studies or cinematography class. Each location is priced well, starting at $75/hour, and is vetted to ensure it meets our top standards and that the listing is accurately presented.
Hassle-Free Booking: You only need a few minutes to secure the perfect school location. See pricing, availability, capacity, and features up front, and the clear images give you a real feel of what it's like to be there. Additional questions will be answered quickly by messaging the property hosts directly.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: You can cancel or postpone your booking for free within 24 hours of confirmation, provided the booking is made at least 48 hours before the event or film shoot is due to start.
Platform Protections: When you're dealing with kids running around, difficult stunts, and expensive camera gear at the school location, it's important to get the coverage you need. That's why Giggster offers optional protection packages for accidental damage, cancellation, and liability to cover all the bases.
A school is a niche venue, but that doesn't mean there aren't tons of different uses for this interesting location. Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling:
Film and Television Shoots – Flawless Classroom Scenes. Expert filmmaking demands top-notch locations, and you can really sell the school vibes for in-class scenes in your next movie. Desks, supplies, and good lighting all await.
Classes – Structured Learning. Education done in homes or online doesn't always have the same effect as in-person learning. Rent a school location to add professionalism to the class and teach students everything from script writing to wellness to math.
Back-to-School Parties – Fun and Functional. A classroom is a unique venue to celebrate kids or adults going back to school. Choose from locations with desks or tables and chairs for increased flexibility. Some spots also have comfortable break areas, outside space, and small kitchens.
Music Videos – Ideal for Education-Based Songs. If your next album drop includes a track about school, where better to shoot the video than in a classroom? There's plenty of space to set up cameras and additional lighting, and your audience will be able to tell it's the real thing.
Craft Nights – Ample Workspace. If you run DIY craft programs in Philly, a school location comes complete with individual work stations and lots of room to store crafting materials. In fact, these venues are great for any hands-on creative work.
Not all school options are created equally. Some are on a sprawling campus, others are standalone properties, and you'll also find places that are part of city schools. Whichever you choose, look out for these features:
Will there be enough parking for everyone? Generally, an official school will have sufficient parking, but if you're booking a spot that's less conventional, make sure the site offers plenty of parking for all your guests. If not, look for something located on convenient public transportation routes.
Do you need outside space? For added flexibility, look for something that has both private inside and outside space. Then, you don't have to switch venues for a different scene, and you can incorporate outdoor activities into the curriculum.
How are the acoustics? Especially for film directors, sound quality is super important. Evaluate the venue's acoustics and soundproofing to ensure it meets your standards. And if you're leading a class full of kids, soundproofing will also come in handy to avoid disturbing your neighbors.
Every city comes with its own pros and cons. To confirm that Philadelphia is the absolute perfect place to pursue filming or teaching, check out these factors:
Advantages
Many of Philadelphia's schools are naturally on the city's SEPTA public transportation lines. That means guests, crew, and students can all get to the venue with or without a vehicle.
School locations in Philly are generally more affordable than dedicated event venues, so you can secure a great spot without spending too much.
Filming, directing, producing, and editing content in Philadelphia is welcome. The city has been the site of many movies and TV shows, so you'll find all the support you need for a successful project, including talent like makeup artists and production assistants.
Disadvantages:
You may not have access to the venue during school hours, which in Philly are generally from 8:30 am to 3:15 pm for high schoolers and 9:10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. for elementary-age kids.
If you choose a working classroom in Philly, you may be limited as to what decor you can add or change, so pick a spot you like as is.
Rush hour traffic (typically from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) can impede guests and crews from reaching the venue. Also, watch out for loading restrictions and bus-only zones.
How you plan depends on the reason you're renting a school venue, but there are certain things that every gathering needs:
Get Hiring – Unless you're planning a one-person film production, you'll need help. Hire camera people, actors, and directors early on. The same goes for parties, where you need to source entertainment and catering ASAP, and classes, where additional expert instructors (check the faculty listings at places like Penn) could be in high demand.
Don't Forget the Food – Regardless of the event you're hosting, guests, students, and crews need refreshments. Look into a local caterer that offers Philly favorites like the famous cheesesteak and tomato pie, and ensure everyone's dietary needs are met.
You'll Need a Timeline – Knowing what should happen and when means you won't forget to include something, and you'll also stay on track. Going over your allotted rental time costs money, and if you miss an important scene or component, you'll kick yourself and waste time arranging it later.
Whether it's a video shoot, meeting, seminar, or birthday party, if you have a limited budget, you want to make it stretch as far as possible.
A summertime event is ideal.
Unlike traditional Philly venues, a school has much more availability in the summer when school isn't in session. Rates will be more affordable due to fewer conflicts, and outside the summer, weekends are another solid option.
Does your school location need to be central?
If you aren't interested in a spot in popular areas like Center City or University City, you can save. School venues in West Philly, Germantown, Kensington, or South Philly tend to be cheaper, and as a bonus, they'll almost always have more parking.
Don't decorate.
Renting a location that already meets your set or decor needs cuts down on the decoration and set design budgets. Look for venues that have the elements you need, like desks, a stage, and sound systems. You won't need to hire anyone to get the space up to spec or pay to rent any props.
Philly is a world-famous city with lots of history. It's the ideal place to get your creative storytelling going on camera or lead a talk on the city's many iconic sites. When a school setting is needed for a get-together, instructional endeavor, or a movie scene, the Giggster app will help you find an affordable venue in record time so that you can focus more on the acting, directing, and informative presentations.
