HARRISBURG, PA – Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) opened its Philadelphia campus in 2017 to serve more students and meet the growing demand for STEM education in urban areas. As one of the largest cities in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia offered an ideal location to reach a diverse student population and provide more opportunities for learners from the region – all within a short train ride from the Harrisburg campus.
Harrisburg University has strategically partnered with businesses and educational institutions in and around Philadelphia to offer bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, especially in key fields like computer science, data analytics, and project management. The urban campus provides easy access for commuting students and professionals alike. Consistent with HU’s goal of reaching as many learners in the most appropriate way possible, the campus offers both traditional classroom and online modalities, as well as executive session graduate programs, to suit the needs of its students.
Harrisburg University and Building 21
Scaling Pennsylvania’s technical workforce quickly requires a two-pronged approach. For college-bound students, there’s HU’s Philadelphia campus. For high-school students who want their first taste of college-caliber STEM instruction, one great option is HU’s partner, Building 21.
Building 21, located in Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane neighborhood, was formerly an elementary school. Today, it’s a hub of science and technology discovery for high-school students. Attending classes at Building 21 offers a taste of the college classroom experience, but also serves as a launchpad to outside opportunities. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with opportunities to work in high-rise offices, tech firms, or coding centers in Philadelphia. The result for students is true firsthand experience in high-tech industries and the natural generation of networks, contacts, and mentors for career-focused learners.
Building 21 is also the home of three dual-enrollment courses offered by Harrisburg University. HU has vetted multiple Building 21 teachers to teach university-level courses, including core subjects like English and Mathematics. Dual enrollment allows high-school students to enroll in college courses and earn credit for both high school and college simultaneously. The credits earned through dual enrollment can count towards high-school graduation requirements, while also building a college transcript.
Immersion in the professional world is a cornerstone of Building 21’s academic culture. The school’s open-enrollment policy allows students of wide academic backgrounds to attend, which expands access to life-changing opportunities that are traditionally only available to those at more selective schools. This is another reason Building 21 is an ideal fit for Harrisburg University, which remains committed to helping underserved communities realize their academic and career potential.
Building 21: A New Model for Urban Education
With an enrollment cap of 400 students and class sizes kept under 25, Building 21 offers a more learner-directed environment than the typical school. Building 21’s educational approach is competency-based, which focuses on mastering skills rather than accumulating seat time. The curriculum is designed to meet students where they are academically and help them progress at their own pace, with a focus on expanding horizons by addressing “unfinished learning.”
“What we’re trying to find is that sweet spot where you’re not ignoring the truth of what ‘unfinished learning’ looks like in high school – and you want kids to find themselves and get engaged,” said co-founder Laura Shubilla in a recent profile of Building 21 for Yahoo! News. “I would say probably we’re more intentional than innovative,” she added, underscoring the fact that addressing individual learning challenges and opportunities doesn’t require an all-new playbook. It simply takes focused attention and genuine care for student outcomes.
Building 21’s commitment to addressing unfinished learning has produced impressive results. For the past two years, the school has boasted a 94 percent graduation rate, reflecting the school’s ability to engage students and offer meaningful opportunities for academic and personal growth.
A Bright Future for Building 21 and HU
Building 21’s curriculum is open source, which means other schools may adopt its model and potentially replicate its success. With two campuses now in operation (one in Philadelphia and another in Allentown), Building 21 is proving that a small, personalized, and forward-thinking school can have a big impact on students’ lives.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because a similar mandate helped form Harrisburg University . Building 21 has helped our University expand its reach and create broad and exciting opportunities for learners who may not have pictured themselves at a STEM university. The result is an experience spanning the high-school and college classroom, with horizon-expanding work-study opportunities, meaningful relationships with mentors and employers, and – in many cases – a clear roadmap to post-graduate success and employment.
To learn more about Harrisburg University’s dual enrollment programs and to partner with us, please visit HarrisburgU.edu.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. For additional information about the University’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
