OUR COMPETENCIES
Design, assessment, feedback, progress, growth, and goal setting are all facilitated through the use of our competencies and continua. In our model, we use the Learning What Matters competency framework. To view all of our competencies and continua, click here.
FOUNDATIONS YEAR 1
Orientation
Orientation
At the beginning the Building 21 experience, all students are given the opportunity to connect with each other and their advisor. During this induction process, the advisor leads their group in a series of community building experiences design to help students understand what Building 21 is all about.
Advisory
Advisory
Advisory is a space to build relationships between adults and students. There will be 1-2 extended advisory periods each week where students will work on their Personalized Learning Pathway (PLP).
Career Connected Studios
Career Connected Studios
Career Connected Studios incorporate projects and experiences that connect content to one or more career fields. These studios may also be connected to a core content area.
Example: Healthcare focused project and speaker in a studio focused on science competencies.
Foundations Studio
Foundations Studio
Exposure to all Career Pathways happens within Foundations Studio. External partners and field experts, representing all Career Pathways, facilitate brief, exposure focused units to each section of Foundations throughout the year.
FOUNDATIONS YEAR 2
Advisory
Advisory
Advisory is a space to build relationships between adults and students. There will be 1-2 extended advisory periods each week where students will work on their Personalized Learning Pathway (PLP).
Career Connected Studios
Career Connected Studios
Career Connected Studios incorporate projects and experiences that connect content to one or more career fields. These studios may also be connected to a core content area.
Example: Guest speaker within a journalism studio where they are focusing on ELA competencies.
Intensives
Intensive
Intensives are scheduled for all second year students. External Partners integrate into core academic studios to provide exposure to all Career Pathways.
Example: TechSmartKids Coding mini-studio within learning experience focused on math competencies. Intensives may also take place in blocks of time on specific days/weeks during the year.
Exposure Studio
Exposure Studio
During the second year, students dive deeper into two Career Pathways, selected after their exposure during Foundations. Exposure Studios occur once per week.
Example: Medical Mysteries Studio works in conjunction with Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Foundations Capstone
Foundations Capstone
Upon successful completion of their Foundations Portfolio, including both core studios and career pathway exposure, students present to a diverse panel of partners, educators, and school community members. They must demonstrate that they are ready to continue on their selected Career Pathway and engage in independent and design focused experiences as “Designers”.
DESIGN YEAR 1
Advisory
Advisory
Advisory is a space to build relationships between adults and students. There will be 1-2 extended advisory periods each week where students will work on their Personalized Learning Pathway (PLP).
Career Connected Studios
Career Connected Studios
Career Connected Studios incorporate projects and experiences that connect content to one or more career fields. These studios may also be connected to a core content area.
Example: Guest speaker within a journalism studio where they are focusing on ELA competencies.
Career Pathway Studio
Career Pathway Studio
During the third year, students dive deeper into their chosen Career Pathways. Career Pathway Studios occur twice per week and allow students to gain career specific skills related to their Career Pathway.
Examples:
Trades Pathway: OSHA Safety Training with The Safety Group
Arts Pathways: Digital Animation and Illustration
STEM Pathway: Python Coding or Environmental Science and Oceanography Course co-taught by Villanova University
Internship / Dual Enrollment
Internship / Dual Enrollment
Based on site criteria and student eligibility for External Learning Opportunities, students are eligible for learning off campus at Dual Enrollment sites and Internship provider sites. Students work through application processes for these experiences which are closely connected to their Career Pathway.
Example: Student internship to work after school with the Vetri Community Partnership Cooking Lab helping younger students learn about healthy eating and beginner cooking skills.
College and Career Exploration Studio
College and Career Exploration Studio
Students explore all post-secondary opportunities related to their Career Pathway and are exposed to all parts of the post-secondary planning and preparation process.
DESIGN YEAR 2
Advisory
Advisory
Advisory is a space to build relationships between adults and students. There will be 1-2 extended advisory periods each week where students will work on their Personalized Learning Pathway (PLP).
Career Connected Studios
Career Connected Studios
Career Connected Studios incorporate projects and experiences that connect content to one or more career fields. These studios may also be connected to a core content area.
Example: Guest speaker within a journalism studio where they are focusing on ELA competencies.
Career Pathway Studio
Career Pathway Studio
During the fourth year, students dive deeper into their chosen Career Pathways. Career Pathway Studios occur twice per week (or more) and allow students to gain career specific skills related to their Career Pathway.
Examples:
Trades Pathway: Construction Technology Course at Orleans Technical College
STEM Pathway: Python II Coding or Engineering and Robotics
Entrepreneurship Pathway: Business and Entrepreneurship Studio with Junior Achievement
Internship / Dual Enrollment
Internship / Dual Enrollment
Based on site criteria and student eligibility for External Learning Opportunities, students are eligible for learning off campus at Dual Enrollment sites and Internship provider sites. Students work through application processes for these experiences which are closely connected to their Career Pathway.
Example: Dual Enrollment courses at Community College of Philadelphia to complete Entrepreneurship Certificate.
College and Career Preparation
College and Career Preparation
Students engage in all post-secondary planning, applications, and portfolio preparation needed to pursue their Career Pathway at the post-secondary level.
Design Capstone
Design Capstone
This independent studio guides students through the selection of a real-world problem or issue, about which they are passionate, and the subsequent research and planning process needed to implement a solution. Students exhibit their results and receive feedback from a panel of partners, educators, and school community members. This is the culmination of Building 21 students’ work in all their studios, PLP, and Career Pathway.