Big Picture Learning (BPL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to a fundamental redesign of education. BPL’s vision is to catalyze vital changes in K-Adult education by generating and sustaining innovative, personalized learning environments that work in tandem with the real world of their greater community. Its mission is the education of a nation, one student at a time. At the core of this mission is a commitment to equity for all students, especially underserved urban students, with the expectation that these students can achieve success.
Each student at a Big Picture Learning school is part of a small learning community of 15 students called an advisory. Each advisory is supported and led by an advisor, a teacher that works closely with the group of students and forms personalized relationships with each advisee. Each student works closely with his or her advisor to identify interests and personalize learning. The student as the center of learning truly engages and challenges the student, and makes learning authentic and relevant. Each student has an internship where he or she works closely with a mentor, learning in a real world setting. Parents and families are actively involved in the learning process, helping to shape the student’s learning plan and are enrolled as resources to the school community. The result is a student-centered learning design, where students are actively invested in their learning and are challenged to pursue their interests by a supportive community of educators, professionals, and family members.
