SCHOOL OF THE FUTURE

School of the Future is a Title I public high school that is part of the Philadelphia City SD school district, located in Philadelphia, PA with about 480 students offering grade levels from 9th Grade to 12th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 25 teachers, School of the Future has a student/teacher ratio of about 19:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

Located in the Parkside neighborhood of Philadelphia, the **School of the Future (SOF)** is a unique public high school that operates through a collaborative partnership between the School District of Philadelphia and the Microsoft Corporation. Since its inception in 2006, the school has been designed to serve as a laboratory for 21st-century learning, emphasizing an integrated curriculum that blends rigorous academics with real-world technological application. The facility itself is notable for its innovative architecture, which focuses on sustainability and a flexible design that encourages collaborative learning rather than traditional classroom settings.

The school’s pedagogical approach is rooted in project-based learning and the "Learner-Centered" model, which prioritizes student autonomy and the development of essential soft skills like critical thinking, communication, and digital literacy. By providing students with ubiquitous access to technology and fostering close relationships with industry mentors, the School of the Future aims to bridge the "digital divide" and prepare students for success in college and modern, technology-driven career paths. It serves as a model for how public education can adapt to a rapidly changing global economy by focusing on high-tech proficiency and personalized student growth.

For more information, contact School of the Future at (215) 823-5502 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.