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The Big Picture Company Philosophy

The Big Picture Company believes that schools must be personalized, educating every student equally, ONE STUDENT AT A TIME. Each student’s learning plan should grow out of his or her unique needs, interests, and passions. We believe that the education system must ensure that students and families are active participants in the design and authentic assessment of each child’s learning. Schools must be small enough to encourage the development of a community of learners, and to allow for each child to be known well by at least one adult. School staff and leaders must be visionaries and life-long learners. Schools must connect students, and the school, to the community - both by sending students out to learn from mentors in the real world, and by allowing the school itself to serve as an asset to the local community and its needs. Finally, schools must allow for admission to, and success in, college to be a reality for every student, and work closely with students, families, and colleges throughout – and beyond - the application process.

In addition to designing and supporting our own Big Picture Schools with this philosophy, The Big Picture Company is committed to spreading our philosophy to as many individuals and communities as possible. Through our own publications and videos, writings in local and national publications, and our work with the Alternative High School Initiative and Big Picture inspired schools, we seek to use a multitude of avenues to help CHANGE THE CONVERSATION AROUND EDUCATION.

Big Picture School Distinguishers

Big Picture Schools are distinguished by the use of the same language and practice. All Big Picture High Schools share common characteristics which we call ‘distinguishers.’ The distinguishers, listed to the right, exist as a comprehensive whole. They are interrelated and inform one another, consequently, no distinguisher is more important than another and none work in isolation. It is the combination of the distinguishers, the degree to which Big Picture Schools employ them, and intensive conversations of reflection and action, that results in the powerful success of the design.

Click here to learn about the 5 Learning Goals that are infused throughout all of a student's learning at a Big Picture School.