Start Reimagining
What does it take to transform high school in your community?
Transforming high schools in your community will require bold thinking, a belief in the possibility of real, substantive change, and a commitment to make sure every single young person has the opportunity to dream big and achieve their dreams. So where do you begin?
First, it’s important to recognize that designing or redesigning a high school is complex and challenging. You might find it’s one of the most challenging things you’ve ever done! You’ll need to recruit a great team, work smart, and stay energized and motivated.
Here’s some advice to help you get started:
- Build a design team that reflects your entire community.
- Turn the process of school design on its head. Start with your big idea, your vision.
- Look at your whole school. Don’t just plan for piecemeal change or tinker at the margins.
- Give young people space to be heard, and make sure they’re authentically, deeply engaged.
- Check to see that everyone has the tools and connectivity they need for true collaboration.
And remember, you’re not the first to take on the challenge of rethinking high school. Others have done it, and so can you. Throughout these materials, you’ll hear from educators and others as they share their personal experiences with rethinking high school. You’ll also hear young people reflect on what they want from their high schools, their lives, their futures.
