Where do they film Abbott Elementary? Filming locations of the ABC series, explored

The popular ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary is based in a fictional Philadelphia public school, but the series is mostly produced in Los Angeles, California. Interior scenes are filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, while exterior scenes are shot at Vermont Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles.

The production sometimes also shoots on location in Philadelphia to give the series an authentic touch, for example, during special episodes or finales. This combination of studio and on-location shooting keeps the show's realistic presentation of a public school setting intact while preserving the feel of Philadelphia.

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The primary filming locations of Abbott Elementary

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Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank

Most of the interior scenes for Abbott Elementary are shot at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. This studio is famous for sitting home to such iconic television shows as Friends and The Office.

The hallways, classrooms, and other interior spaces of the fictional Willard R. Abbott Public School are meticulously built sets that attempt to replicate an actual elementary school setting. The production team incorporates bright colors, mismatched pieces of furniture, and motivational artwork to achieve a very relatable aesthetic.

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Vermont Avenue Elementary School, Los Angeles

Exterior scenes of the school are shot at Vermont Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles. This location is the visual backdrop of Abbott Elementary's front and environment. Having a real-life school utilized brings realism to the show's depiction of city public schools, despite it being in Philadelphia.

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Random filming in Philadelphia

Whereas the majority of filming takes place in Los Angeles, the company sometimes shoots in Philadelphia. For example, in season 2's final episode, shots were taken inside the Franklin Institute to incorporate actual Philadelphia landmarks within the show's narrative.

The cast returned to Philadelphia to shoot some extra local scenes over three days in February 2025. These excursions keep the show true to its fictional location while providing a look at actual Philadelphia locations.

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Other notable filming locations

Descanso Gardens

During season 1's conclusion, Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles stood in for the Philadelphia Zoo for a field trip episode. The production created elements from the zoo to capture its distinctive mood when filming on location.

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Andrew Hamilton School

The Philadelphia Andrew Hamilton School was the real-life inspiration for the fictional backdrop of Abbott Elementary. Creator and star Quinta Brunson attended the school when she was a child and chose to title her show after a teacher there.

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How the filming captures Philadelphia's spirit

While shot mostly on the West Coast, Abbott Elementary draws on many aspects of Philadelphia culture. From dialogue slang to discreet references to local landmarks and customs, these touches assist in transporting viewers to the East Coast setting of the show, even though it was produced in California.

Brunson has pointed out how backdrops that looked like Philadelphia streets were meticulously crafted to look authentic.

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Abbott Elementary employs a mix of studio shooting at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank and exterior shots at Vermont Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles to build its realistic school environment. Special episodes are occasionally shot on location in Philadelphia to add authenticity and appeal to fans from the city.

Other significant locations, such as Descanso Gardens, have been creatively used for individual episodes. By combining Hollywood production style with real-life locations and the cultural nuances of Philadelphia, Abbott Elementary is able to effectively create its fictional world.