School building in exposed concrete, which to some extent resembles the Brunel University Lecture Center in London by Sheppard, Robson & Employees and John Heywood.

The school was closed in 2013 due to budget cuts in the Philadelphia public school system and has been vacant ever since. Since then, the building has suffered from vandalism and neglect. Currently, there are no plans for renovation or adaptive reuse. On the contrary, a feasibility study led by Interface Studio to prevent exacerbation of the flooding problem in the neighborhood recommends demolition of the former George Wharton Pepper Middle School. It is located at the lowest point in the neighborhood—2 feet below sea level in some places—and frequently floods. Renovating the school would cost more than $19 million, according to the study. Supporting an actively used building in this location is considered irresponsible.

This building was included in the red list, published in our exhibition catalog SOS Brutalism: A Global Survey (September 2017). After a status review on September 30, 2024, it is still classified as red (endangered) in the online database.