ILE - School Visits Summary

Part Two: Overview of the Schools/ School Districts

During my time in North America I will be visiting a number of individual schools and school districts. The schools in Canada are from school districts highlighted as 'best practice' case studies in the OECD Innovative Learning Environments Project. 

The Schools in the United States were chosen through my own research. At a time in the US where the 'No Child Left Behind' policy has created a high stakes, grade focused environment in many schools and school districts, these schools/ school districts have introduced projects that are innovative, engaging and provide opportunities for students to lead their learning. 

Note: These overviews are taken from either the OECD ILE report case study summary or, in the case of the American Schools, from the profile on their websites. They are not necessarily the view of the author of this report.

Community of Learners Network, Nanaimo Ladysmith BC Canada - This is a ‘mini-network’ within the larger Network of Performance Based Schools in BC. It involves intensive collaboration on applying inquiry methods. Despite operating in the traditional structures, the teaching/learning interface is markedly different from traditional modes of schooling. The curriculum and schedule are built around large-scale inquiries that blur traditional school subjects and schedules. Formative assessment and metacognition are integral to the learning, as is collaboration through the ‘Circle Discussion’ approach which is also a core element: circle discussions are referred to as Literature circles, Information Circles and Numeracy Circles, and generally comprise 4-8 students. Aboriginal place and culture are fundamental and Aboriginal and nonAboriginal students are taught to respect traditional values. Community members with expertise are regularly invited into classrooms, and community and local resources viewed as an integral part of the learning environment. Beginning with three teachers, now there are eight learning environments that fully integrate the core approaches. (OECD - Innovative Learning Environment Project)

Elementary Connected Classrooms, BC, Canada -  "This project exists in three elementary classrooms with students from grades 4-7 students. It is an intentional departure from the traditional approach to education in its approach to technology and instruction; it has been an extremely successful pilot project in its district. Three teachers collaborate to combine their classrooms via daily videoconferencing, online collaborative work, and have students create a variety of multimedia content. This is a full time learning environment that is funded by a public school district, and is planning to expand the project to a second team next fall. As collaboration lies at the core of the project, Connected Classrooms enjoy a broad organisational foundation and promises sustainability. In addition, the project has proved to increase the learning experience for students in a school district with a high proportion of Aboriginal students. Throughout the course of the project, we have witnessed new and exciting learning relationships and partnerships between students, and increased engagement and motivation to learn," (OECD - Innovative Learning Environment Project)

Colorado Academy, Denver, Co, USA - Colorado Academy, an independent Pre-K - 12 college preparatory day school with an exceptional campus community. Here, we turn ideals into action – challenging our students to become lifelong learners, thinkers, inquisitors, and contributors. Please explore our school's innovative and rigorous curriculum, variety of artistic and athletic programs, opportunities for advanced work, student-organized service, and unique programs for learning beyond the classroom. From academic excellence to "whole person" development, there's nothing quite like the CA experience.

Castle Rock Elementary School, Castle Rock, Co, USA -Castle Rock Elementary School will be recognized as a child-centred elementary school focused on excellence. All children will have the opportunity to experience success in their academic, physical, social and emotional development. Castle Rock Elementary School will promote global thinkers who are life-long learners, literate, communicative, culturally sensitive, respectful of others and prepared to be future leaders.

iZone Schools Project, NYC, USA - Now and in generations past, education has been our nation’s foundation for opportunity. But today’s education system requires transformation if we want to prepare students for success in a globally-connected world. To thrive, our students need to be engaged in learning that is relevant to their lives, and allows them to master the skills of tomorrow.

The iZone harnesses today’s resources to design school around the unique strengths, interests and needs of each student. We believe in expanding learning opportunities beyond the classroom walls and the dismissal bell. And we provide teachers with the resources and flexibility to support each of their students in developing the skills required for college and career success.

Avenue World School, NYC, USA -Schools are historically rooted in the villages, towns and cities in which they are situated. Almost all are single-city, single-country institutions. They teach about matters beyond their boundaries, but they do not operate in any meaningful way outside them. Over time, some—boarding schools, for the most part—have evolved to serve “national communities.” No longer particularly identified with a specific locale, they recruit students widely, increasingly from beyond national borders. Leading examples include England’s Eton, India’s Doon School and America’s Exeter. While these schools teach about the larger world and include students from diverse locations, their operations still largely exist in one country and on a single campus. If “local” schools are the first step in the evolution of schooling and “national” schools are the second step, the coming years are destined to see an increasing number of “global” schools. Avenues plans to be the best of this new breed of educational institution—hence its subtitle: The World School.