Welcome to High School Transformation

Let’s explore why high school transformation matters and what it entails, using real-world examples of transformation to unpack the key steps of the transformation journey.

This is work for districts such as yours, and XQ has an approach that is effective to help you do it.

Imagine if high school were designed for and with young people…

 

Learning would happen anywhere and everywhere—not just at a desk in a classroom. Education would be challenging, relevant, and engaging—connecting students to their community and to the world around them. And all students would develop the skills and knowledge they need to thrive—as civic participants, critical thinkers, proactive problem solvers, generous collaborators, and lifelong learners.

Imagine if communities were invited to be true partners in education

 

If they had the tools to rethink high school and the support to make this vision real. Every school and district would meet the unique needs of the people around it—becoming catalysts for equity, for innovation, for entrepreneurship in the community. And students would be in constant conversation with the world outside of the classroom—making education tangible and meaningful. Young people would gain exposure to various careers, access to opportunities like internships, and the ability to wrestle real world problems in partnership with accomplished adults, business leaders, and local organizations.

This is the work of high school transformation—and it’s happening all across the country

 

We’re reimagining what’s possible in districts, in schools, and in classrooms.
We’re inviting in all voices, from district leaders to community members, to teachers and local organizations with students at the center. We’re embracing new mindsets, overcoming obstacles, making bold moves, following through and bringing others along. It is difficult work — and nothing could be more important. Let’s get started.

The Science and Art of High School Transformation

The essential building blocks to make transformation distinct—and effective

1. Starting with students at the center.

Making it possible for all students to reach their fullest potential, guided by the XQ Learner Outcomes—a holistic set of rigorous and scientifically based knowledge and skills that all young people need to thrive.

2. Rethinking what learning looks like​.

Transforming both the learning spaces and the curriculum through new models of teaching, learning, and student experience—all based on the latest science of how young people learn. These are called XQ Learning Experiences.

3. Reimagining the educational environment.

Transforming high schools to create the conditions for students to thrive. In this effort, we look to our XQ Design Principles to guide us.

4. Building the conditions for transformation to flourish and sustain.

Transforming districts to unlock the capacity to sustain ongoing transformation.

Transformation Activates the Whole Community

High school transformation should activate the whole community—from teachers to parents to business leaders to principals. Schools and districts, in particular, have a unique and critical role to play in the transformation effort.

A High School’s Role in Transformation

For transformation to be meaningful, equitable, and impactful, high schools will need to activate their full community in service of transformation and elevate the voice of students at every step.

Along the transformation journey, schools will be responsible for…

  • Ensuring that students are at the center of transformation
    This requires elevating student voice throughout the journey, expanding the understanding of student experience through such tools as the Educational Opportunity Audit (EOA), and involving students meaningfully every every step of the way.
  • Activating and engaging the school community around transformation
    Schools will invite a broad and diverse set of community members to become involved in the school transformation effort—as advocates, contributors, and, in some cases, leaders in the work.
  • Developing ambitious, impactful, and academically rigorous school design concepts
    This often involves inviting new voices in to spark fresh ideas and adopting innovative, flexible mindsets that allow schools to fundamentally reimagine what is possible in high schools.
  • Implementing school design concepts
    This often involves prototyping, piloting, and scaling the school concept with support from the district and community.

A District’s Role in Transformation

For transformation to be ambitious, sustainable, and enduring, the district will need to not only provide ongoing support to schools, but also transform its own ways of working.

Along the transformation journey, districts perform several essential roles…

  • Setting the stage for transformation
    This often involves practice change such as modeling new behaviors. For example, the district might invite schools to become more innovative by celebrating risk taking.
  • Supporting schools in their transformation
    This often involves building a close, trusting relationship with school transformation teams. For example, the district might provide ongoing coaching for teams as they go along their transformation journey.
  • Clearing existing barriers
    This often involves changing district-level policies. For example, a district might shift a policy around seat time to give schools more flexibility in scheduling.
  • Sustaining ongoing transformation
    This often involves building the organizational capacity for change. For example, a district might establish a design lab to lead transformation efforts.

Embarking on the Design Journey

A high-level view of the rigorous process of high school transformation

Embarking on the Design Journey

A high-level view of the rigorous process of high school transformation.

Embarking on the Design Journey

A high-level view of the rigorous process of high school transformation

The District’s Design Journey

The XQ design journey follows a well-defined but flexible series of steps customized to meet local needs. The design journey comprises four key phases: Initiate, Activate, Design, and Implement.

Phase 1
Initiate

Districts and schools learn about high school transformation, build belief, and prepare for the journey ahead.

Key steps in this phase

  • Assembling the district transformation team
  • Assessing the 
district’s readiness
  • Enlisting key community members ahead of 
public announcement

Duration: 2-3 months

Phase 2
Activate

Districts and schools kick off the work of transformation together, build community support, and get energized to transform high school.

Key steps in this phase

  • Announcing the public commitment to high 
school transformation
  • Activating the school 
and broader community
  • Assessing school 
readiness and student experience (EOA)
  • Completing the first 
design workshop

Duration: 3-5 months

Phase 3
Design

Schools explore transformation while developing their design concepts. Districts provide ongoing guidance, feedback, and select the first cohort of schools for transformation.

Key steps in this phase

  • Completing a series of design workshops and inspiration visits
  • Developing and submitting school design concepts
  • Reviewing proposals and selecting first cohort of schools for transformation

Duration: 5-7 months

Phase 4
Implement

Schools pilot and scale their design concepts with ongoing support from the district.

Key steps in this phase

  • Piloting and prototyping
  • Launching full school model
  • Executing district change management plan

Duration: 2 years

Download the district and school design journey ↓

Seeing Is Believing

Get to know districts and schools doing the work of high school transformation.

Districts and schools all across the nation are embarking on transformation. Guided by XQ Learner Outcomes and XQ Design Principles, these partners are rethinking high school to ensure a bright future for students everywhere.

Get to know
Crosstown High
Get to know
DC+XQ
Get to know
Iowa BIG

Ready to kick off your high school transformation journey?

Let's get started →