Our Wild Seeds ALC daytime unschooling program has grown alongside our young people. What began as a program for ages 5-10 has naturally evolved as our oldest students have helped shape what learning looks like for teens.

 

In the 2026–2027 school year, we are excited to launch our Reimagined High School program. This program builds on our existing teen support model by offering expanded opportunities for real-world learning, along with guidance for navigating high school graduation requirements and post-secondary planning.

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Our Beliefs About Teens

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• Teens need and deserve independence, trust, and autonomy

• Teens thrive when they can deepen their unique interests

• Friendships and peer connection are central to teens’ lives

• Teens are developing a stronger sense of identity and personal values

• Teens are still building skills and benefit from meaningful adult support

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Program Opportunities

 

Mentorship

 

Teens meet biweekly with their mentors to connect, reflect on personal goals, and make plans for meeting Pennsylvania's legal high school credit requirements. We do this all through an unschooling lens, helping teens brainstorm creative ways to meet requirements that connect to their interests and at a pace that feels supportive of their overall growth. 

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Teen-Specific Learning

 

Teens can opt into projects designed to deepen specific interests. Past offerings have included coding classes, a teen band, a weekly documentary club, fan fiction projects, op-ed writing, and more. We frequently bring in outside experts to lead opportunities for teens based on interests they share. 

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Leadership Opportunities

 

As part of a mixed-age community, teens have frequent opportunities to build leadership skills. They may design and lead offerings for peers or younger children, become certified to ref outdoor games, or gain job experience in support roles at our after-school program.

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Internships

 

We are developing an internship program for the 2026–2027 school year. Our goal is to support any teen interested in gaining hands-on experience in a field that excites them.

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Field Trips

 

Teens participate in field trips twice a month to explore different parts of Philadelphia. They use public transportation and gain practical experience navigating the city independently.

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Post-Secondary Support

 

As teens prepare for life beyond Wild Seeds, we support them to think about what they might need to transition to adulthood. This support could include support with the college search and application process, résumé building, job research, and connecting to community resources that help them continue building passion-driven lives.

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What's Next?

 

We are currently in the process of continuing to develop our reimagined high school with teens and families. We'll share more updates about the vision here as the program comes into focus!