The Ultimate Guide To Abbott Elementary Filming Locations: Is It Really Shot In Philadelphia?

The Emmy-winning comedy Abbott Elementary has brought the heart and humor of the Philadelphia public school system to a global audience, making the fictional Willard R. Abbott Elementary School feel like a real, tangible place. With its mockumentary style and deeply specific Philly references, fans are constantly asking the same crucial question: is the show actually filmed in the City of Brotherly Love? The answer, as of the current date in late 2025, is a fascinating mix of Hollywood magic and genuine on-location authenticity.

While the show’s setting is undeniably Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the vast majority of the day-to-day classroom chaos and staff room shenanigans are captured over 2,700 miles away in Los Angeles, California. However, creator Quinta Brunson has made a conscious effort to increase the use of real Philadelphia landmarks and locations in recent seasons, including a major, up-to-the-minute shoot for Season 5 at a beloved sports stadium, ensuring the city's spirit is authentically represented on screen.

The Two-Part Filming Secret: Los Angeles, California

The core of Abbott Elementary’s production is rooted in Los Angeles, a common practice for network television to manage costs and logistics. This two-pronged approach uses a dedicated soundstage for interior scenes and a real-life school for exterior shots, creating the illusion of a single, cohesive building.

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The Interior: Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank

The hallways, classrooms, and the perpetually chaotic staff lounge of Abbott Elementary are not a real school but a meticulously crafted set. These interior scenes are filmed on the lot at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California.

• The Set Design: The production team went to great lengths to create an authentic, lived-in feel for the school set. The design is based on the architecture and atmosphere of Philadelphia public schools, featuring the classic, slightly worn look that is instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with older educational buildings.
• The Classroom Details: Every detail, from the outdated computers to the specific types of instructional posters, is intentionally placed to reflect the reality of an underfunded inner-city school, adding topical authority to the show's core themes. The set allows for the flexibility and control needed for the show's fast-paced, single-camera mockumentary style, where cameras and crew often need to move quickly through the space.

The Exterior: Vermont Avenue Elementary School, Los Angeles

The iconic, stately exterior of the fictional Willard R. Abbott Elementary School is actually a real school located in South Los Angeles, California: Vermont Avenue Elementary School.

• The Stand-In: The production uses establishing shots of the Vermont Avenue Elementary building to ground the series in a recognizable school setting. This West Adams school, built in 1896, provides the perfect architectural stand-in for a historic Philadelphia public school, with its classic brickwork and imposing facade.
• The Illusion: This is a common Hollywood technique, where the exterior of one location is seamlessly blended with the interior set built miles away. The visual consistency is maintained by the use of Philadelphia-specific props and subtle CGI to ensure the exterior shots match the city's environment.

On-Location Shooting: When Abbott Elementary Comes Home to Philly

While the school itself is in LA, the cast and crew have increasingly traveled to Philadelphia to film key episodes and specific scenes, a move that adds a layer of authenticity that fans deeply appreciate. This commitment to on-location shooting, particularly in recent seasons, is a testament to Quinta Brunson's desire to honor her hometown.

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Season 5’s Major Philly Shoot: Citizens Bank Park

The most recent and buzzworthy example of the show filming in Philadelphia is the production's visit to Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies, for a major Season 5 episode.

• The Live Event: In a rare move for a sitcom, the cast and crew filmed scenes during an actual Phillies baseball game on August 28, 2025. This "live event" filming, teased by Quinta Brunson, captures the genuine energy and passion of Philadelphia sports fans, which is a massive part of the city's cultural identity.
• Behind the Scenes: Filming during a live game required coordination with MLB Studios and was a significant logistical undertaking, but it ensured the authenticity of the crowd and atmosphere that could never be fully replicated on a soundstage.

Iconic Philadelphia Landmarks Used for Filming

The show's commitment to Philly authenticity has led them to several other famous locations in the city, often for episode finales or special events that take the teachers and students outside of the school walls.

• The Franklin Institute: The Season 2 finale, titled "Franklin Institute," was a major milestone for the production as it marked the first time the show actually filmed in the city of Philadelphia. The episode follows the students and teachers on a field trip to the renowned science museum, showcasing its distinctive architecture and exhibits.
• The Please Touch Museum: For the Season 4 finale, and potentially other episodes, the production filmed on location at the Please Touch Museum, a popular children's museum in the city. This location was kept a secret during filming to avoid attracting large crowds, highlighting the effort to maintain a realistic, low-key production feel.
• Other Locations: Other Philadelphia entities that have been mentioned or used for brief shots include the Philadelphia Zoo and the Andrew Hamilton School, further cementing the show's topical authority and deep ties to the city.

Why Los Angeles? The Logistical Reality of Sitcom Production

The decision to film a show set in Philadelphia primarily in Los Angeles is a pragmatic one, driven by the economics and infrastructure of the television industry. While some fans might prefer a full Philly production, the reality of creating a successful network sitcom dictates the choice of location.

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• Tax Incentives and Infrastructure: California, and specifically the Los Angeles area, offers significant tax incentives for television production, making it a more financially viable choice for a long-running series. Furthermore, the infrastructure—soundstages, crew base, equipment rental, and post-production facilities—is unmatched globally.
• The Studio System: Filming on the Warner Bros. lot provides a stable, controlled environment for the cast and crew, which is essential for a show that produces 18–22 episodes per season. The dedicated, permanent set for the school interior ensures continuity and efficiency.
• Quinta Brunson’s Influence: Despite the logistical constraints, Quinta Brunson, a native of West Philadelphia, has successfully pushed for the occasional on-location shoot. Her goal is to ensure that the spirit of the city is captured authentically, using real landmarks to honor the show’s setting even when the bulk of the work is done in LA. Her commitment is evident in the inclusion of deep-cut Philadelphia references and the genuine Philly accents used by the cast.

Ultimately, Abbott Elementary is a masterclass in blending Hollywood production efficiency with authentic, place-based storytelling. The show’s home base may be a soundstage in Burbank, but its heart—and its most memorable, recent filming moments—are firmly planted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This duality is what makes the show’s portrayal of a Philadelphia public school so convincing and beloved by viewers across the country.