Our Philosophy
Introduced during the Walkabout Orientation and reinforced in daily interactions, Walkabout’s Five Key Assumptions serve as the guiding principles behind the Walkabout experience and philosophy.
You Can Do More
Than You Think You Can
No One Has More Power
In Your Life Than You
Disappointment is
an Opportunity to
Grow and Learn
Your True Potential
Comes Alive in Community
Attitude is Critical
for Success
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Walkabout Philly?
Walkabout Philly is designed after the nationally recognized Walkabout School model that originated in Westchester County, NY in the 1970s and operated for over 30 years. We have been working closely with Walkabout Education over the last year to bring this empowering school model to Philadelphia as a public school within the School District of Philadelphia.
What is the Walkabout model?
The model is comprised of 5 Challenge Areas: Wilderness, Service Learning, Applied Academics, Career Internship and Presentation. These are closely intertwined and lead to a holistic, truly student-centered experience at school that is centered in building self-efficacy, community, and real-world skills.
What is a day in the life of a student like?
Click here to read a first-hand account of Walkabout Philly founder and Walkabout School grad, Mary Beth Hertz’s, experience as a student at Walkabout.
Why Walkabout?
We are in a new place, in uncharted territory in many ways, when it comes to how we do school. In the rush to go “back to normal,” we have not stopped to consider this moment, what our students have experienced, what they have learned about what school can look like and, essentially what school is for.
Our students are seekers. They see the world around us changing and they see that schools, essentially, look the same as they have for decades. We need schools that give students real world opportunities to not only learn about career paths, but show what they can do and build confidence and independence that is vital in the future economy and global community they are moving into and already inhabit. We need to get kids off of the conveyor belt we have set for them and give them a chance to define their own path and their own future and explore who they are and who they want to be with a caring adult and mentor at their side.
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved in building a Walkabout school in Philadelphia or are interested in partnering with us through any of the 5 Challenge Areas, please fill out the form below or send an email directly to marybeth@walkabout.org.
Our Partners
