Building 21 is a nonprofit organization that is reimagining secondary schooling to meet the needs of all learners. The mission of Building 21 is to empower networks of learners to connect with their passions and build agency to impact the world. Our learning model allows students to learn at their own pace, to engage with content and curriculum that they find interesting and relevant, and to apply and further develop their skills in real-world environments.
What makes Building 21 Allentown High School different?
We are Competency-based
- Learning in the core content areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Health, Art, Spanish) is aligned to a set of skills that students must master in order to graduate.
- The core element of a competency-based approach is that students progress to more advanced work upon demonstration of mastery, not their age or grade.
We are Problem-based and Project-based
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Learning is organized into studios that last for 6-8 weeks. Studios provide students the opportunity to integrate content and apply their skills and knowledge to solve real-world problems.
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Each studio ends with an impact module where students get to implement their project/product/solution for an authentic audience.
We support students in developing Personalized Pathways through
- Exposure to careers through different community partnerships (i.e. LVHN, Baum, Digital Feast)
- Interest-based choice in studios and pathways
- Opportunities for:
- Dual Enrollment
- Internships
- Work Experience
- Project development and implementation
We have a Daily Advisory designed to
- Focus on personal development through the Habits of Success Competencies
- Build relationships with adults and peers
- Support the development of a Personalized Learning Plan
Building 21 is organized into the Foundations Years and the Design Years.
The Foundations Years
Learning at Building 21 starts with Foundational opportunities that are essential to the success of every student. In the Foundations Years, students will:
- learn how to be a successful Building 21 student.
- learn technology essentials necessary for learning in a one-to-one school.
- experience different career opportunities by working with our partners
- focus on essential skills necessary for independent learning
- create the first draft of a Personalized Learning Plan
- participate in 4 schoolwide exhibitions of learning
- acquire all of the core credits for the Foundations Portfolio
Building 21 specific courses in Foundations Years
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Teach To One Math (TTO) is a personalized math program that meets students where they are and takes them through Algebra I content and skills. This course is required for all students who did not take Algebra I in 8th grade or did not pass the Algebra I Keystone in 8th Grade. Students can be in TTO for 2 semesters, 3 semesters or 4 semesters
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Integrated Science is designed to teach scientific investigation around problem-based studios including ecological and environmental principles. Common themes covered may include, systems, models, patterns and change within various scientific areas such as earth, physical and biological sciences. This course is required for all Year 1 students.
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Career Explorations is the first studio of our College and Career Pathway model. This studio will expose students to different career options through mini-experiences with our community/industry partners.
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Advisory
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Elective Studios The list is constantly evolving as we create new experiences based on student interest, teacher passions, and growing partnerships in the Lehigh Valley. Students are given an inventory annually that drives schedule options for our electives, from those choices, students design their schedule to best meet their interests and graduation needs.
The Design Years
Once all of the requirements for the Foundations Years are met, students advance to the Design Years. In the Design Years, students will:
- Choose interest-based studios
- Design post-secondary pathway
- Have opportunities for:
- Create a Design Capstone
- Master all core competencies and earn all required Building 21 credits for graduation
Building 21 specific courses in Design Years
- Design Capstone is a culminating, year long studio students will take in their final year at Building 21. In this studio, students will become designers of their own problem-based experience with teacher support.
- Electives Studios - The list is constantly evolving as we create new experiences based on student interest, teacher passions, and growing partnerships in the Lehigh Valley. Students are given an inventory annually that drives schedule options for our electives, from those choices, students design their schedule to best meet their interests and graduation needs.
- Dual Enrollment Opportunities - Students who demonstrate readiness for early college course opportunities can design a schedule to include dual enrollment courses offered on- and off-site with LCCC.
Extended Learning Opportunities - Working in collaboration with our Partnership Coordinator, students in their design years are encouraged to apply for many opportunities that go beyond our school walls. There are options for internships, job shadowing, summer learning opportunities, fellowships and consultancy with industry partners.
Building 21 Electives
This list is constantly evolving as we create new experiences based on student interest and our growing partnerships in the Lehigh Valley.
HEALTHCARE
932 Exploration of Healthcare Occupations I SCI .25, .5, or 1
935 Exploration of Healthcare Occupations II SCI .25, .5, or 1
936 Exploration of Healthcare Occupations III SCI .25, .5, or 1
937 Exploration of Healthcare Occupations IV SCI .25, .5, or 1
DIGITAL MEDIA
726 Digital Media Technology I ART .25, .5, or 1
727 Digital Media Technology II ART .25, .5, or 1
728 Digital Media Technology III ART .25, .5, or 1
729 Digital Media Technology IV ART .25, .5, or 1
723 Audio/Visual Production ART .25, .5, or 1
ART
718 Photography I ART .25, .5, or 1
719 Photography II ART .25, .5, or 1
720 Photography III ART .25, .5, or 1
721 Photography IV ART .25, .5, or 1
715 Fashion Design ART .25, .5, or 1
771 Exploring Music ART .25, .5, or 1
701 Creative Art - Drawing and Painting ART .25, .5, or 1
746 Drama/Theater (Theater Arts I) ART .25, .5, or 1
751 Graphic Design ART .25, .5, or 1
BUSINESS
606 Entrepreneurship I BUS .25, .5, or 1
606 Entrepreneurship II BUS .25, .5, or 1
606 Entrepreneurship III BUS .25, .5, or 1
606 Entrepreneurship IV BUS .25, .5, or 1
244 Banking and Finance BUS .25, .5, or 1
HUMANITIES
813 Teaching Profession FCS .25, .5, or 1
814 Humanities Workplace Experience FCS .25, .5, or 1
815 Humanities Ind. Study FCS .25, .5, or 1
819 Exploration of Public Service Careers FCS .25, .5, or 1
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
371 Computer Programming I MATH .25, .5, or 1
371 Computer Programming II MATH .25, .5, or 1
371 Computer Programming III MATH .25, .5, or 1
371 Computer Programming IV MATH .25, .5, or 1
605 Webpage Design BUS .25, .5, or 1
608 Information Support and Services BUS .25, .5, or 1
LANGUAGE ARTS
164 Media Print I (Yearbook) ENG .25, .5, or 1
165 Media Print II (Yearbook) ENG .25, .5, or 1
166 Media Print III (Yearbook) ENG .25, .5, or 1
171 Creative Writing ENG .25, .5, or 1
193 Literature (Other) ENG .25, .5, or 1
194 Literature of a Theme ENG .25, .5, or 1
175 Public Speaking ENG .25, .5, or 1
179 Speech/Debate ENG .25, .5, or 1
161 Journalism I ENG .25, .5, or 1
162 Journalism II ENG .25, .5, or 1
163 Journalism III ENG .25, .5, or 1
LAW
298 Law Studies SOC .25, .5, or 1
HEALTH/PE
909 Off-Campus Sports HEALTH/PE .25, .5, or 1
913 Lifetime Fitness Education HEALTH/PE .25, .5, or 1
911 Health and Fitness HEALTH/PE .25, .5, or 1
912 Safety and Fitness HEALTH/PE .25, .5, or 1
SOCIAL JUSTICE
291 Civil Justice SOC .25, .5, or 1
838 Community Involvement FCS .25, .5, or 1
STEM
422 Physics (Other - Nanotechnology) SCI .25, .5, or 1
856 Engineering Design and Development SCI .25, .5, or 1
832 Electricity/Electronics General TECH .25, .5, or 1
TRADES
833 Electricity/Electronics Workplace Experience TECH .25, .5, or 1
854 Manufacturing – Other TECH .25, .5, or 1
804 Exploration of Hospitality TECH .25, .5, or 1
OTHER
990 Study Seminar DNR .25, .5, or 1
610 Work Experience BUS .25, .5, or 1