FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Walkabout Consilient School selected as finalist in XQ: The Super School Project, currently in the running for $10MM in funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    

CONTACT: Ben Wild info@walkabout.org

Walkabout Consilient School selected as finalist in XQ: The Super School Project, currently in the running for $10MM in funding

July 29, 2016

Katonah, New York – The Walkabout Consilient School (WCS) has been selected as a finalist in XQ: The Super School Project, a national challenge to rethink high school. On July 20th, XQ officials chose fifty finalists from a pool of 700 applicants. On August 4th, the five winning applicants will each be awarded $10MM to bring their schools to life.

“We couldn’t be more excited to see our work recognized by XQ. The Walkabout Consilient School builds on 37 years of success in experiential education and we believe it is the reinvention of the American high school.”   —Ben Wild,  Executive Director, Walkabout Education Foundation

The Walkabout Consilient School is the creation of faculty and alumni from the Walkabout Program, which was available to high school seniors throughout Putnam and Westchester counties. For almost 40 years, this program helped disengaged students take ownership of their education. The U.S. Department of Education recognized The Walkabout Program as one of the top 40 experiential education programs in the United States.

The Walkabout Consilient School is the team’s vision for the new American high school. Building on the original program’s proven success, this public high school model gives students the tools to grow into resilient, self-reliant adults with the critical thinking skills necessary to thrive in college and career. Students gain these skills by engaging in self-directed experiential learning as part of a rigorous, multidisciplinary curriculum in a supportive, inclusive and collaborative environment. The consilient curriculum engages students in 5 Challenge Areas: Wilderness Expeditions, Service Learning, Applied Academics, Career Internship and Presentation. This transformation occurs in a challenge-oriented culture that requires students to take risks and move beyond their perceived limitations.

For more information about The Walkabout Consilient School contact Ben Wild at info@walkabout.org. For an in-depth preview of this innovative school model watch a new video available here: walkabout.org/why

Show your support on social media using these hashtags: #WalkaboutWorks #Rethinkhighschool #WalkaboutXQ

For more information about XQ: The Super School Project visit xqsuperschool.org.

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About Walkabout Education Foundation

The Walkabout Education Foundation (WEF) was formed in 2013 as an independent, non-­profit organization with the mission of launching experiential education programs in the Walkabout model. This unique approach prepares high school students with the practical skills and transferable knowledge to lead active, purposeful and community-centered lives. WEF was founded by alumni and faculty of the Walkabout Program, a highly selective program for high school seniors. For almost 40 years, Walkabout helped disengaged students find meaningful engagement in school and life. The U.S. Department of Education named The Walkabout Program one of the top 40 experiential education programs in the U.S.