May 22, 2025

Dear Educator,

In the heart of a traditional public system, my Bright Spot this week features one microschool that's proving what’s possible when we put learners and community at the center. Through a powerful redesign process led by my amazing colleague, Jesse Ross, this school is validating what we know works and reminding us that transformation can start small and grow based on what works.

With Gratitude,

Microschools Belong in Public Districts

Myrtle Avenue Microschool, which launched inside Lamont Elementary School District in 2024, is living out the key moves of the newly released Public Microschool Playbook, showing that real change starts with purpose and connection. Here’s what they’ve done so far:

• Started with Identity and Belonging: Each morning, learners and educators gather for a shared breakfast and a social-emotional learning activity. These consistent rituals are strengthening relationships and cultivating a culture of care and connection.
• Shifted Time to Align with Purpose: By redesigning their schedule, they’ve created space for interdisciplinary learning that invites inquiry, exploration, and creativity across subject areas.
• Connected Learning to the Real World: Through community-connected project-based learning, students are engaging in meaningful work that has relevance beyond the classroom—and developing skills that matter in life.

Myrtle Avenue Microschool students posing for a photo with a local first responder during the school's learning exhibition which honored the community's first responders. Full story here.

The natural next question is: What's the impact been? Principal Gloria Moreno shared some promising early outcomes that reflect the power of this learner-centered approach:

• Increases in attendance, engagement, SEL growth, and academic performance
• Student and educator voices affirm a renewed sense of purpose, connection, and excitement about learning.

Myrtle Avenue Microschool’s journey illustrates what’s possible when we trust educators to lead change, start with learner identity and purpose, and redesign structures to support meaningful learning. It’s a model for innovation and what school can and should be—human-centered, connected, and joyful.

We’re grateful for courageous leaders like Superintendent Dr. Lori Gonzales, who has created the conditions, and Principal Gloria Moreno and the Myrtle Avenue Microschool team who are blazing a trail and showing us the way forward.

Microschools are one way to think about school (re)design in a public district setting. What has your district been testing to bring about learner-centered change? Share your stories by replying directly to this email :)

In collaboration with the Getting Smart Collective and Transcend, we're excited to release The Public Microschool Playbook! The playbook offers practical guidance for designing small, agile learning environments that prioritize relationships, real-world connections, and learner agency. If you've ever wondered how microschools might unlock new possibilities on your district's learner-centered journey, this playbook is for you! Explore the playbook here.

Resources to advance your learner-centered practice

🎥 LIVE WEBINAR: Building Systems to Transform Student Learning. "Join us for an in-depth conversation on an incredible partnership that has formed in Southern California that brings together teams from public school districts, higher education and research institutions, and education organizations for maximal impact on student learning." Register here.

🛠️ Can Regional Innovation Hubs Create a More Promising Future for K-12 Education? "The shape and scope of federal funding in education are evolving, including a potential shift toward regionally focused investments in research and innovation. With that shift comes an important question: Are communities equipped to lead? We believe they can be." Read more about regional innovation hubs.

👩‍💻 Design Thinking Introductory Course. "This course supports educators in leveraging the design thinking experience for themselves and in their classrooms with learners. Educators will learn the design thinking process by participating in a design challenge, thinking about how to make their classroom and school an even better learning environment for their students." Start learning here.