Embedded Files
Now enrolling for the 2026-2027 school year!
Philly ALC School is a self-directed learning community for children and youth ages 4-18. Families can choose full-time immersion (five days a week) or flexible part-time schedules that work for their needs.
At Philly ALC School, we believe learning is natural. It happens all the time, and it happens best when learners follow their curiosity and make their own choices. Anyone in the community can offer an activity, project, or exploration, whether that's building, art-making, science experiments, cooking, or a trip into the city, and participation is always optional. We also practice how to live together: learners and facilitators talk through conflicts, listen to each other, and create agreements for moving forward. Consent is central here. In this way, Philly ALC School is not just about what we learn, but how we learn together.
Attendance Options
Attendance Options
Families can choose the level of commitment that works for them:
Full-Time
(5 days/week)
Complete immersion in the community rhythm. Students experience the full range of our programs: project work at the school, city explorations, and community gatherings. They develop deep relationships and consistency in their learning journey.
Full-time enrollment serves as your child's primary school and fulfills Pennsylvania's compulsory attendance requirements.
Part-Time
(flexible schedule)
Choose the days and activities that work for your family. Part-time students participate in the same community and learning experiences, with a schedule tailored to their needs.
Part-time enrollment is designed to complement homeschooling or another primary educational arrangement. We're happy to support families navigating PA homeschool requirements, documentation, and evaluation.
Learning Approaches
Learning Approaches
All ages learn together in a multi-age community where cross-age mentorship and collaboration happen naturally.
Younger Learners
(ages 4-11)
Learning happens by engaging in play-based exploration—building, creating, discovering through hands-on experience at our Hawthorne campus and outdoors at Awbury Arboretum.
Older Learners
(ages 12-18)
Our older learners design their own projects, set intentions, and collaborate with mentors and peers to pursue meaningful work.
Practical Details
Practical Details
Schedule
Days: Monday-Friday (full-time) or a flexible schedule (part-time)
Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
What to Bring
Packed lunch and snacks
Water bottle
Weather-appropriate clothing
Any project materials
What We Provide
Fridge, microwave, basic supplies
Materials for projects and exploration
Facilitation and community support
A Day at Philly ALC School
A Day at Philly ALC School
8:30 - 9:30 Arrival. Students arrive any time between 8:30 and 9:30. As they settle in, they might dive into free play, pick up an ongoing project, or check in with a facilitator to think through what they want their day to look like. There's no single way to start the morning. Some students head straight into a game or a book, others want a few quiet minutes before joining in, and facilitators are available throughout to help students plan or simply ease into the day.
9:30 - 10:00 Morning Meeting. All students arrive by 9:30 so the whole community can gather for Morning Meeting. This is where the day comes into focus together: students connect with each other, hear about what's happening, and set intentions for how they want to spend their time. It's a foundational part of each day, and one of the few moments when the entire school is in one place at the same time.
10:00 - 12:00 Offerings, Projects, and Play. Two open hours built into the morning. Students might join an offering, keep working on a personal or group project, or simply play, moving between activities as they like or settling into one thing for the full stretch. Nothing is mandatory during this time beyond showing up ready to engage with something, whatever that looks like for that student on that day.
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch and Quiet Time. Students eat when they're ready, with a reminder built into this hour for anyone who's lost track of time. Designated quiet spaces are available for students who want a slower midday pace, whether that means reading, resting, or simply having a lower-key space to be in. Students who'd rather keep going with an offering or play are welcome to do that instead.
1:00 - 1:45 Offerings, Projects, and Play. One more stretch of open time before the day starts winding toward its close, following the same offerings-projects-play structure as the earlier blocks.
1:45 - 2:00 Clean Up. Before heading out, the community works together to reset the space, putting away materials and tidying up whatever the day's activities left behind.
2:00 - 3:00 Park Trip. Every day includes an hour outdoors together as a full school community. Students play, explore, and get some fresh air and movement in as a group before returning for the close of the day.
3:00 - 3:30 Afternoon Meeting. The community gathers again to close out the day, sharing reflections and highlights while facilitators ask questions like what stood out, what happened during a particular offering, or whether there's something a student would like to see show up on a future schedule. It's also a space to raise anything from the day that needs support, and what comes out of the conversation often shapes what's ahead, whether that's a shared interest turning into next week's offering, a conflict prompting a follow-up conversation, or a suggestion landing on an upcoming schedule.
3:30 - 4:00 Dismissal. Families pick up students any time between 3:30 and 4:00. Students who are independent travelers head home on their own during this window as well.
Offerings
Offerings
Alongside this daily rhythm, a rotating slate of offerings brings new skills and interests into the mix each week. Some are facilitator-led, planned around what students are curious about that week. Others are student-led: students have run their own weekly D&D game, led trips to bowling alleys, and taken over the kitchenette for cooking and baking, turning out everything from cookies and mug cakes to crepes and quesadillas.
Community members also bring their own offerings into the mix. Recent community-led offerings included 3D printing, gardening at a community garden, philosophy, soldering, and woodcarving. Members of the community have also supported field trips to museums and pick-your-own farms.
All offerings are optional, and students choose whether and how to take part alongside their own projects and play. Families and community members are always welcome to propose additional offerings or one-time activities.
Family Testimonials
Family Testimonials
Families choose Philly ALC School because it offers a supportive, multi-age community where learning is self-directed and co-created. They also appreciate that:
Full-time enrollment means you're not managing PA homeschool paperwork, finding evaluators, or navigating requirements on your own. We handle the administrative side so you can focus on your family.
The city, nature, and our school spaces all become classrooms.
Students experience learning as joyful, meaningful, and connected to their real lives.
Philly ALC School gave our son back the joy of learning that a traditional classroom had started to wear away. At six, he was already being labeled “disruptive”—for things like interrupting class to ask to use the bathroom. In a conventional setting, those moments became problems; at Philly ALC, where children are treated as capable people whose needs matter, they aren’t.
It’s been a relief to see him recognized for who he is, rather than reshaped into who a classroom expects him to be.
- Parent (A.V.)
I stopped by recently and four kids were playing chess on two boards, laughing and chortling. Two of them had added Bananagrams tiles and turned it into an elaborate fantasy game. I played Monopoly with an eight-year-old who beat me soundly. Another kid was working on a year-long math program he'd created for himself. Other days, I've seen kids writing novels, painting with watercolors, and sewing giant animal stuffies.
None of it is "have to." All of it is "want to."
It seems so simple: replacing mandatory classes with voluntary offerings. Simple, and yet revelatory. It makes me tear up to be part of it.
- Parent & volunteer (A.G.)
Location
Location
Address
Address
756 S 11th St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Public Transit
Public Transit
Metro:
L (Market-Frankford Line) to 11th St
B (Broad Street Line) to Lombard-South
Bus:
Route 45 (Fitzwater & 11th/12th);
Route 40 (11th & Lombard/South)
Regional Rail:
SEPTA (all lines): Jefferson Station
PATCO: 9th-10th & Locust
Car Parking
Car Parking
Limited street parking available; 20-minute zone on S 11th St in front of entrance
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle Parking
Outdoor bicycle rack available
Accessibility
Accessibility
The Philly ALC School is located on the second floor and is not wheelchair accessible.
Access requires navigating exterior steps at the entrance and a full flight of interior stairs (with a mid-level platform).
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this for kids who struggle in traditional school?
Is this for kids who struggle in traditional school?
Often, yes. Many of our students come to us after years of being told they were too much, not enough, or just didn't fit. Traditional school is built around compliance and standardization, and for kids whose minds and bodies don't conform to that mold, it can do real damage to their confidence and love of learning.
At Philly ALC School, students move when they need to, eat when they're hungry, and pursue what actually interests them. There are no grades or tests. That said, we're not a therapeutic school and don't provide clinical support. For many kids, an environment built on trust, respect, and genuine community turns out to be exactly what they needed.
Does Philly ALC School count as school in Pennsylvania?
Does Philly ALC School count as school in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Full-time enrollment (five days per week) serves as your child's primary school and fulfills Pennsylvania's compulsory attendance requirements. We work with families to ensure required processes and documentation are in place.
What if my child attends Philly ALC School part-time?
What if my child attends Philly ALC School part-time?
Part-time enrollment complements another educational arrangement—homeschooling, unschooling, cyber school, or another program. We support families navigating PA homeschool requirements and can connect you with evaluators familiar with self-directed learning.
How is learning documented?
How is learning documented?
Students document their learning through projects, reflections, blogs, and community sharing. We don't use grades or standardized tests. Instead, we develop authentic relationships where facilitators witness students' growth and support their self-reflection over time.
Can my child start mid-year?
Can my child start mid-year?
Yes. Because learning is self-directed and emergent, families can join anytime based on space availability. We recommend starting with a trial day and family reflection to ensure a smooth transition.
How much does it cost?
How much does it cost?
Philly ALC School uses a trust-based sliding scale, with published tiers ranging from $2,400 to $12,000 per year. See our Tuition page for the full breakdown and a worksheet to help you find a contribution that's honest and sustainable for your family.
What if my child has specific learning needs?
What if my child has specific learning needs?
We honor diverse learning styles and needs. Students have freedom to move, take breaks, and engage in ways that work for them. However, students who require constant one-on-one supervision or extensive specialized support beyond what our facilitators can provide may not be a good fit. Contact us to discuss your child's specific needs.
Ready to join Philly ALC School?
Ready to join Philly ALC School?
Page updated
Report abuse