Episode Details

Design39Campus

Brief School Profile:

 At Design39Campus, learning experiences are designed with the individual learner in mind. As a collaborative community, we nurture creative confidence, practice design thinking, learn through inquiry, connect globally, use technology and real world tools, and promote the courage and growth mindset necessary to change the world.

Teachers are called “Learning Experience Designers"

Location:

17050 Del Sur Ridge Road

San Diego, CA 92127

(858) 676-6639

Why are we visiting this school?

Alignment with our vision for K12 Magnet

[x]Competency Based

[x]Blended Learning

[x]Diversity

[x]Public School

Resources and Links:

School Blog

School Web Site

Contact:

Joe Erpelding

jerpelding@powayusd.com

858-382-4356

Notes from Visit:

• Everything speaks titles, furniture, etc.
• Open spaces, very flexible  
• Choices in topic, process, product
• Director of innovation
• Teachers collaborating every single day.
• Team (principal and 5 teachers) working together to design the school for a whole year.
• TK - kindergarten for kids that are 5 before december 1 (½ day)
• MIMS - PE teachers. When and why were they brought in?
• Collaboration
• Everyone is a leader.
• Teachers are out of the room easily.
• No more meetings - facilitated learning opportunities.
• Carts for teachers, instead
• No ownership of rooms. Design the space as needed. Reset the space at the end of each day/week/unit.
• Students didn’t have any physical books, were put in the classroom.
• Working agreements for student behavior not school rules.
• Large classrooms, 60-65 kids, 2 teachers.
• Kids without passes, not asking to use the bathroom.
• Every piece of furniture has dual purposes.
• Name design39 39th school and want kids to wonder first and foremost.
• Design Studio for the adults.
• Learning Experience Designers - We light the way.
• Be cognizant of what works well for kids. Do it.
• Activity for K12 sessions: Define what different things mean.

Questions still to ask:

• Community agreements?
• Video about 1st graders collaborating.
• Clubs or activities
• Philosophy on homework?
• Literacy emphasis?
• Lottery process: 1st draw is to match free and reduced lunch. 2nd draw is to fill Special Education demographics. 3rd draw is for diversity. Fourth draw is to do everything.

Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that