The "School Without Walls" primarily refers to the School Without Walls High School (SWW), a small public magnet high school located in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1971 and is well-known for its unique educational philosophy that encourages students to "use the city as a classroom," integrating real-world experiences into learning. The school offers a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, including 22 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and a partnership with George Washington University that allows students to take dual enrollment classes and potentially graduate with both a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree. The school emphasizes an urban education model, drawing students from across the city with specific academic requirements for admission. It has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School and is highly ranked among public high schools in the United States. Beyond the high school, there is also School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens, a separate pre-K through 8 school sharing administration but not the selective admissions process. The concept of "School Without Walls" is also used more broadly to describe education approaches that go beyond traditional classroom settings, sometimes involving outdoor and experiential learning programs, but the Washington, D.C. school is the most prominent example by this name. Key facts about School Without Walls High School:
- Established in 1971 as a public selective magnet high school in Washington, D.C.
- Emphasizes urban, experiential learning using the city as a classroom.
- Offers a college-preparatory curriculum with extensive AP courses and university partnerships.
- Recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School and ranks highly nationally.
- Has a high average SAT score and successful AP exam pass rates.
- Shares administration with the Francis-Stevens Education Campus (pre-K to 8) but functions as a separate entity in admissions.
This school represents a distinctive model of integrating real-world experiences with rigorous academics in an urban setting.
