Schools Worth Visiting
The Getting Smart team visits hundreds of schools each year and is grateful for the opportunity to see high-quality teaching and learning in action. This series features stories of schools that share best practices, lessons learned and next-gen teaching practices that support high-quality, personalized, project-based learning for all students.
SOLE: Hacking Today’s Education for the Future
By: Dr. Jeffrey McClellan and Justin Aglio. Self-Organizing Learning Environments (SOLEs) draw on children’s natural curiosity to create a dynamic education space for students to learn, interact and develop critical problem-solving skills.
New Tech Network Powers A Common Learning Model & Unique Missions
New Tech Network powers a wide range of schools, but just because they share a learning model and platform doesn't mean they're all the same--they are urban and rural, STEM-focused and arts-focused, magnet schools and dropout recovery schools. Learn more here.
Rethinking Middle School with Design Thinking at Vista Innovation & Design Academy
VIDA is a 6-8 Magnet school in the Vista Unified School District that is proving that high-quality teaching & learning centered around design-thinking can happen anywhere if you have collaboration, community and committed leadership. Read more here.
Powering Personalized Learning in Chicago
On a recent school tour trip to Chicago, we visited three schools creating powerful personalized learning environments that serve their unique student population and communities.
What’s The Next Big Idea? Microschool Networks
Microschools have been popping up around the country for the last decade with great success, so let's make it easier to launch these schools by creating supportive networks.
Personalization + Projects = Deeper Learning at Da Vinci
We recently visited three Da Vinci Schools to observe the culture, community and deeper learning outcomes. Here is what we learned from our student guided tours at these innovative schools.
6 Best Practices For Expanding A Blended Learning Initiative
By: Andy Franko. For any districts considering a move toward blended learning, here are six lessons our district learned while creating a multidistrict virtual K-12 school.
Student Agency: Creating An Integrated and Authentic K-12 Approach
By: Kate Bean. What does authentic student agency look like and how can we move beyond the surface to create a student-driven learning experience for elementary students as well as high schoolers preparing for college and career?
RAMTEC Robotics: A Path to Employment & Economic Development
RAMTEC, a robotics program at Tri-Rivers Career Center in Ohio, is graduating hundreds of robotics-ready students prepared for careers and further advanced skills learning.
IBM Prep: Chicago’s Goode STEM Partners for Associate degrees and IT Careers
Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy, a Chicago early college high school, helps students gain valuable work experience, earn a free associate degree and leave school with the possibility of a job offer.