Brooklyn Laboratory High School
Brooklyn, New York

Círculos
Santa Ana, California

Crosstown High
Memphis, Tennessee

Da Vinci RISE High
Los Angeles, California

Elizabethton High School
Elizabethton, Tennessee

Furr High School
Houston, Texas

Grand Rapids Public Museum School
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Iovine and Young Center
Los Angeles, california

Iowa BIG
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Latitude High School
Oakland, California

Magnet at Jordan High School
Los Angeles, California

New Harmony High
New Orleans, Louisiana

Ponaganset High School
Glocester, Rhode Island

PSI High
Sanford, Florida

Purdue Polytechnic High School
Indianapolis, Indiana

Summit Shasta
Daly City, California

Tiger Ventures
Endicott, New York

Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts (TAPA)
Providence, RI

Tulsa Beyond
Tulsa, OK

Vista High School
Vista, California

Washington Leadership Academy
Washington, D.C.

DC+XQ
Washington, D.C.

XQ+RI

XQ+NYC
New York City, NY

What Defines an XQ Model?
Every XQ school is unique, but they all share a commitment to equity through fundamental principles that defy traditional approaches to high school education and put students first. XQ schools are:
- Mission Driven: Operating under a unifying set of values.
- Engaged: Actively fostering curiosity and the drive to think differently.
- Empowering: Giving kids the space to learn their way.
- Connecting: Building positive relationships between students and adults.
- Productive: Making smart use of resources like time, space and technology.
- Collaborative: Partnering with students, educators, families, community leaders to drive action.
- Mission Driven: Operating under a unifying set of values.
- Engaged: Actively fostering curiosity and the drive to think differently.
- Empowering: Giving kids the space to learn their way.
- Connecting: Building positive relationships between students and adults.
- Productive: Making smart use of resources like time, space and technology.
- Collaborative: Partnering with students, educators, families, community leaders to drive action.
Meet the XQ Models
In 2015, XQ invited communities across the nation to dream big about a new approach to high school. More than 10,000 people in 50 states formed teams to take on the XQ Super School Challenge. What started as a small group of school winners has grown into a thriving collection of innovative public high schools across the country. Together, these schools are realizing a collective vision for the future of high school.

Brooklyn Laboratory High School
Brooklyn, New York
Educating all learners.

Círculos
Santa Ana, California
A school developing connected lifelong learners.

Crosstown High
Memphis, Tennessee
Never stop learning. Design the future.

Da Vinci RISE High
Los Angeles, California
Reconnecting students through anytime, anywhere learning.

Elizabethton High School
Elizabethton, Tennessee
A vision for the future of high school—designed by students, for students.

Furr High School
Houston, Texas
Empowering students to tackle environmental injustice.

Grand Rapids Public Museum School
Grand Rapids, Michigan
A school embedded in community learning spaces.

Iovine and Young Center
Los Angeles, california
A partnership with the University of Southern California (USC) Iovine and Young Academy (IYA) to adapt its curriculum for high school students.

Iowa BIG
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Unleashing human potential using a student-driven, project-based approach.

Latitude High School
Oakland, California
Oakland is their home. The Bay Area is their extended classroom.

Magnet at Jordan High School
Los Angeles, California
Where community vision and community partners come together to rethink high school.

New Harmony High
New Orleans, Louisiana
Students as stewards of the future.

Ponaganset High School
Glocester, Rhode Island
A school on a path toward equitable, personalized learning for all.

PSI High
Sanford, Florida
A future-ready high school.

Purdue Polytechnic High School
Indianapolis, Indiana
A high school experience powered by partnerships.

Summit Shasta
Daly City, California
To prepare a diverse community of young people with the skills, knowledge, and habits to attain economic empowerment and success in a chosen concrete next step toward a fulfilled life.

Tiger Ventures
Endicott, New York
A school for young entrepreneurs who are fueling their future and community.

Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts (TAPA)
Providence, RI
A school cultivating the artist’s mindset with academic rigor and love.

Tulsa Beyond
Tulsa, OK
A district-led partnership to transform high schools.

Vista High School
Vista, California
Students and teachers redefining learning together.

Washington Leadership Academy
Washington, D.C.
See the future. Be the future.

DC+XQ
Washington, D.C.
A districtwide, multi-year, community-driven partnership to rethink what high schools can be for all D.C. students.

XQ+RI
A statewide initiative to rethink high school.

XQ+NYC
New York City, NY
Reimagining high school in the nation’s largest school district.
High School Redesign Resources
Our free, research-backed tools and materials provide what any individual or entire community needs to rethink high school. You’ll find helpful resources for everyone—students, teachers, administrators, families, and partners.
XQ Design Principles
These six principles, updated in fall 2019 to reflect lessons learned since our launch in 2015, are fundamental to every XQ school.
XQ Learner Goals
The next generation must learn to adapt to a changing world. The five XQ learner goals aim to develop students who are deeply engaged in their own learning and fully prepared for all that the future has to offer.
XQ Knowledge Modules
No matter where you are today & what you want to achieve, going to college is the best way to help ensure a bright future
XQ Educators Perspectives
XQ teachers, leaders, and staff members work hard to bring the XQ Design Principles and Learner Goals to life so all students graduate ready to thrive in college, career, and life.

Lillian Hsu
Latitude High School Founding Principal
“We want students to take what they’re learning in the classroom and see the real-world possibilities. We want them to expand their sense of what they’re capable of accomplishing.”

Deion Jordan
Crosstown High Director of Competencies
"When we think about culture, it's political and sociocultural, but it's also about student interests. It's showing that we value students and we think that's important."

Becky Herman
Iowa BIG Teacher
“I believe that teenagers are our most underutilized resource. To witness the energy that a group of passionate students can build toward a common goal in an unrestrictive environment is inspirational and, at times, jaw-dropping.”

Dustin Hensley
Elizabethton High School Media Specialist and Bartleby Program Co-Founder
“When we talk about rethinking high school, students and teachers and the community have to be a part of the conversation. Otherwise, it’s just another program with a catchy acronym and tagline that’s doomed to fail."

Anthony Burrell
New Harmony High Community Coordinator
“My hope for all my students is that learning here gives them the self-confidence to pursue their interests, explore the world, and make a positive change in their communities no matter where they end up.”

Angela Daniel
PSI High Instructional Strategist and Coach
"Our students’ future is shaping up to be a place where learning how to learn will be the ultimate skill they’ll need to master. That’s why it’s time we shift the power dynamic and give students a proper seat at the table in their own education."
The Latest from XQ
High School Redesign
10 Tips from Parents to Support Your Teen’s Remote Learning
Remote learning is challenging for many students. Here are tips from parents across the country on how to best support students.
High School Redesign
Building Caring, Trusting Relationships in a Remote Learning World (Pt. II)
Building relationships with students is critical—especially during remote learning. Here's how schools across the country are doing just that.
Beyond High School Graduation
These High School Students Had Paid Internships This Summer. Here’s How.
Did you know that you can get paid a paid internship in high school? These two students engaged in real-world projects with industry partners. Learn how.
Read, Watch, Discuss
Our core belief at XQ is that we are best as a country when we come together to solve big problems. Regardless of the differences we may have as individuals, we are united in our love of country and our commitment to our young people.
High School Life
Life After School Closures: High School Students Speak Out
- Student Agency, Identity & Experiences