Learning That Grows With You
William Penn Charter School’s Lower School is designed around the principles of curiosity, creativity, and student-centered learning.
Lower School
Philadelphia, PA
William Penn Charter School is the oldest Quaker school in the United States, known for its values-based education and focus on holistic student development. As part of a larger campus transformation, the school envisions a new Lower School that reflects its educational philosophy while preparing students to thrive in an increasingly complex and evolving world.
Through a collaborative master planning and schematic design process, stakeholders prioritized a flexible, future-ready environment that is rooted in experiential learning and meaningful connections.
Designed for Exploration and Belonging
The new 78,000-square-foot, three-story building is organized into learning communities for pre-K through 5th grade, tailored to Penn Charter’s project-based, constructivist curriculum. Classrooms and specialty studios support core academic learning as well as movement, language, STEAM, art, and music.
An IdeaLab and woodshop invite hands-on exploration, while an activities gymnasium, sensory playground, and outdoor classrooms promote physical engagement and social development. A central spine connects the interior spaces with nature, encouraging discovery throughout the day.
A Space for the Whole Child
In alignment with Quaker values, the design emphasizes community, creativity, and care. Environmental graphics, flexible layouts, and access to outdoor learning areas provide layered learning experiences that nurture curiosity and confidence. As the design is finalized, educators continue working with the team to shape immersive environments that support every dimension of childhood development.
MEET THE DESIGN TEAM
