What is Big Picture Learning?

Big Picture Learning was established in 1995 with the sole mission of putting students directly at the center of their own learning.

A pillar of the Big Picture Learning approach is that as much - and often more - learning can happen outside of the school as happens within it. Historically in our network, that has been facilitated through internships and mentorships, which many students partake in up to two days each week. 

Increasingly though, outside of school for us means outside of school altogether! BPL is working closely with crafts and tradespersons, community centers, Chambers of Commerce and more to stress that the key Big Picture distinguishers can be deeply embedded in all places of learning, not just schools.

-- from the BPL website

1. 2018-2019. LHS begins to explore the BPL Program and build a coalition to support the migration to BPL; includes site visits, BPL staff check-ins with Liberty

2. 2019-2020. General planning for BPL implementation; addition of Advisory once per week; on-going Big Picture info sharing for staff and families; staff signs contracts in the spring of 2020. *Covid hits March 2020

3. 2020-2021. *Covid closes schools until Spring 21. School starts remotely w/ a daily Advisory; Intense BPL Advisory PD for staff; student work circles around interest projects; mini virtual exhibitions; Drafts of Standards Trackers (met/not met)

4. 2021-2022. Began exploring Internship Process (2 in the Spring - still limited by Covid); Standards Trackers in Core Content Classes; Exhibitions b/c more wholistic

5. 2022-2023. Highest # of internships (13); Expanded Liberty Learning Plans; Problems of Practice Teams; Teams Pilot; recruiting efforts from local schools begin

6. 2023-2024. Full teams implementation; Implementation of the Student Learning Process; Vertical tracking of standards via Course Cards; Introduced 3 Full Exhibition Formats

7. Looking Forward. Problem of Practice Teams will continue to focus on continuous improvement and refinements of systems that support BPL Distinguishers; Greater emphasis will be placed on BPL Healthy Living & Community Partnerships

Final Thoughts. Liberty will strive to become a unique and student-centered BPL school that serves students that are over-age and under-credited in JCPS. We are committed to providing a new way of school for students and families so that all emerge confident, connected, and ready for life.