We created two innovative and personalized high schools in partnership with two Pennsylvania school districts in Allentown and Philadelphia.
We are hiring at Building 21 Philadelphia! Join our team of passionate and experienced educators who are committed to reimagining secondary education to create equity for all students.
Our two lab schools are small district high schools. The only criteria to apply to our Lab Schools is that students reside in either Allentown or Philadelphia.
If you want to join either of our school communities as a student, parent, staff member, or partner, click on the links below!
We value and care for every student in our schools. Our advisory model provides each student with an adult mentor and a small group of peers to help them navigate their high school experience. The advisory program helps students graduate with a personalized plan and preparation for postsecondary options.
We strive for culturally competent, trauma-informed, and restorative policies, practices, and procedures in our schools. By including diverse perspectives at all levels of the organization, we believe that we will build a stronger, more inclusive community.
Each level of mastery transparently defines what a student needs to do to get to the next level, eventually reaching college and career readiness. Students, teachers, and families can easily track learning and growth using Building 21’s competency framework.
We believe that learning should be connected to the world around us. From global warming to immigraton policy, Students at our Lab Schools engage in Studios which are 6-10 week problem-based units where they try to solve a real world problem.
We believe that learning and growth are just as important for adults as they are for our students. Our Teacher and Leader Competencies guide the growth and development of adults in our schools.
We encourage students to learn outside the classroom through career-connected studios, mentoring, and internships. Our community partners help create experiences for students that connect them to college and career pathways.
Each year, our two lab schools serve over 800 students for Philadelphia and Allentown, PA. Check out what they have to say!
Building 21 always tells students to be aware of their own voice and power, and encourages us to take action to solve problems.
The whole school is designed to help build relationships with staff and other students. I never really enjoyed school until I arrived at Building 21—and it was all because of the relationships I built with my teachers and my classmates.
Building 21 gave us a chance to discover what kinds of careers we’re passionate about, and how to prepare for them. Learning about different careers helped me decide what I wanted to do in college.
I discovered my true passion at Building 21. Coming into high school, I thought I wanted to be a teacher, but then I had the chance to spend the summer working at PPL in their IT department. And I just knew that it was for me. This experience launched me on my pathway to my future.
I never felt like I could speak up for myself before but, at Building 21, I became very vocal on many issues and the school staff encouraged me to use my voice.
That would have to be my 12th grade internship at McKinley Elementary. I was exposed to every adult role in the building, from the principal to the counselors, teachers, cafeteria staff. I knew I was interested in education, but this really solidified what I want to do with my life. I am going to be an elementary school teacher, and I intend on going back to the Allentown School District to work! I spent 12 years at ASD…I know what it’s like to be a “city girl”, and I know what supports kids need to live their dreams.
Our teachers knew what would be required and made sure we were ready. They stressed public speaking and presentations, time management, and constantly learning outside the curriculum—always taking advantage of what the school was offering both inside and outside the classrooms.
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