Building 21: Redefining Urban Education with Real-World Learning and Restorative Practices

Building 21, a high school in Philadelphia, stands out for its innovative approach to education, blending academic rigor with hands-on experience through partnerships with high-rise offices, tech firms, and coding centers. Founded by educators influenced by Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, the school prioritizes experiential learning and has earned a 94% graduation rate over two years, well above the city's average.

With a capped enrollment of 400 students and an open-admission policy, Building 21 offers personalized education, where students progress through competency-based learning rather than traditional grading. This approach allows students to revise and refine their work until it meets high standards, with assignments graded on a 2-12 point scale. Principal Ben Koch’s “total physical response” language teaching model, and trips like those to Costa Rica for immersive learning, also set the school apart.

Restorative practices replace traditional disciplinary methods, fostering conflict resolution skills and encouraging conversation over punishment. Nabeehah Parker, who manages partnerships, facilitates opportunities for students to gain exposure to careers usually limited to students from elite schools. Capstone projects, internships, and dual-enrollment programs reinforce this aim, as students work with companies like Bentley Systems or take classes at La Salle University. In addition, the curriculum emphasizes skills mastery and personal growth, enabling students to explore interests and complete meaningful projects in their final years.

Building 21’s model challenges conventional ideas about urban high schools by offering inclusivity and rigor, proving that real-world learning, academic challenge, and social support can coexist in public education.