2025 ASU+GSV Summit School Tours

Don't miss the opportunity to experience innovation in action alongside education leaders and entrepreneurs as you learn, reflect and make meaning of how these innovative school approaches might inspire your work!

RSVPs are required to attend a tour, and you must be a registered ASU+GSV Summit attendee to join. Review the experiences below and sign-up—spots are limited and will fill up quickly. After you reserve a spot, you will receive a confirmation email with a QR code. Please bring this the morning of the tour to facilitate easy check-in on Monday, April 7, 2025. Individual departure times are listed below in each tour description. One week before your tour, you will receive a follow-up email from megan@gsv.com confirming your tour's exact departure time. All tours will be departing from the Kettner Blvd. entrance of the Manchester Grand Hyatt on the first floor near Market One. All tours will be returning to the AI Show at the San Diego Convention Center to experience the final day of the event.
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A big thank you to our our supporting partners, Big Picture Learning and Learner Centered Collaborative.
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If you have any questions, please reach out to megan@gsv.com. See you at the bus stop!

Learner Centered Collaborative's Design39 TK-8 Campus

https://design39campus.powayusd.com/

Estimated tour departure: 8:15am PT
Estimated return: 12:00pm
Transportation: Bus
Theme: TK-8, Design Thinking, Learner Centered Collaborative

Join the Design39Campus tour for a chance to see student-centered learning in action. Engage with Learning Experience Designers (D39C’s school leaders) and students from TK through eighth grade as we explore the campus. Following visits to various learning spaces, we’ll break into sessions to reflect on key questions, including:

What “shifts” in education can enable a student-centered learning experience? How could you apply insights from D39C in your setting?
How might we tap into learners’ passions and interests to create peak learning experiences?
How can we design spaces that thoughtfully support and enhance learning?
How can we showcase learning processes to our communities and make learning visible?

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Big Picture Learning’s San Diego Met High School

Estimated tour departure: 7:45am PT
Estimated return: 11:40am
Transportation: Bus
Theme: High School, Project-Based Learning, Internship Model

By visiting The San Diego Met (housed on the San Diego Mesa College campus), visitors will get an up close glimpse at how the relationships between students and advisors – and even school leaders – create a truly student-centered learning environment. They’ll also learn more about Big Picture Learning’s internship-driven model by speaking directly with students themselves who will have gone through their own processes for engaging with the community to explore their own interests through internships.

Experiences:

Attend a brief orientation with SD Met students and school leadership, as well as representatives from the Big Picture Learning and American Student Assistance national teams.
Take a student-led tour through the Mesa College campus and SD Met classrooms to experience the San Diego Met approach to inquiry-based learning, Advisory, and interest exploration.
Attend student Exhibitions and participate in small group conversations with students and staff about authentic assessment and the impact of the Met instructional model.
Reflect on the experience with SD Met students and school leadership.

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Guiding Questions:

What would be possible if we centered our curriculum in the student instead of particular content?
What is the role of educators in helping students develop social capital?
How do internships and other work-based learning experiences help students develop agency?
How might our understanding of rigor and authentic assessment shift when we use the community as a space and resource for learning that is just as impactful as our school building?
How can a personalized learning model address equity challenges and achievement gaps?

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SCHOOL DESCRIPTION

‍San Diego Metropolitan Regional, Career, and Technical High School (known as "The Met") is a public school in the San Diego Unified School District, serving grades 9-12. We are part of the Big Picture Learning network of student-centered and relationship-focused schools. At the Met, we believe that every student has unique interests, skills, cultural assets, and learning needs, and as such, our teachers focus on "one student at a time," creating a learning environment where each student is empowered to truly personalize their educational path. We are located on the campus of San Diego Mesa College, and we leverage our relationship with Mesa to provide students with unparalleled college access and preparation.

The Met is distinguished by our 4 pillars:

1. Learning By Doing

Every Met student engages in learning experiences that challenge them to get hands-on, explore important questions and concepts, and demonstrate their learning in a variety of authentic ways. Work is grounded in real-world contexts and connects to students’ backgrounds and interests, making it relevant and meaningful. Time is built into each class for students to work, receive personalized feedback, and revise their work to move closer to proficiency.

2. Advisory

Every Met student joins an Advisory, which is a small cohort of students in the same grade level who become incredibly close with each other and their Advisor throughout their years at the Met. Advisory is the heart of our relationship-centered model, inspiring students to participate in a supportive community that is often described as a “family.”

3. Internships

Every Met student pursues their interests and gains real-world work experience two days a week through the most extensive internship program of any high school in San Diego. Internships provide students with the opportunity to explore careers and learn valuable skills through hands-on experiences under the guidance of an industry mentor who becomes part of the student’s support network.

4. College and Career

Every Met student prepares for life after high school through college and career readiness activities, including our partnership with San Diego Mesa College, which allows our students enroll in college and earn transferable credits while in high school, all for FREE.

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PRE-READING FOR ATTENDEES

Prior to your tour, please explore the following resources and guiding questions:

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Linda Vista Innovation Center (SDCOE)

Estimated tour departure: 8:30am PT
Estimated return: 12:00pm
Transportation: Bus
Theme: HS and Elem, Hands-on Interactive Educational Experiences

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We invite you to experience the heartbeat of our career-focused campus, where passion meets purpose every day.

Our innovative programs empower students to dive deep into hands-on learning, forging the skills essentials for success in today's workforce. With a community dedicated to cultivating practical expertise, your visit promises not only inspiration but also an opportunity to witness firsthand the transformative impact of trade education.

We are excited to continue offering high-quality, immersive learning opportunities that empower and engage our community. Come explore, learn, and create with us!

Guiding Questions:

How does early exposure to careers link classroom learning with practical, hands-on experiences, making subjects more relevant and interesting?
How can career exploration increase students' understanding of the value of education and its role in shaping their future opportunities?
How does early career exposure help students understand the changing nature of the job market and the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning?
How can educators collaborate with the private sector to effectively enhance educational outcomes and support the development of innovative learning environments?

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Encinitas Farm Lab, Encinitas Union School District

Estimated tour departure: 7:45am
Estimated return: 11:20am
Transportation: Bus
Theme: Elem, Sustainability, Project and Place-based Environmental Education

**Note: This tour takes place at a Farm where there may be uneven ground.**

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Participants will be welcomed with a short overview and presentation, and then tour the 10-acre property that houses the district’s certified regenerative organic production farm, the DREAMS satellite sustainability Campus, and extended learning spaces - including a nutrition science lab. Participants will observe three learning rotations and engage with the grade 4 students attending day 1 of their 2-day renewable energy learning experience.

Participants will build their understanding of how a public school district is able to grow and harvest over 10,000 pounds of consistent, successional produce annually for farm to school, serve all 4,300 K-6 students for grade level specific annual learning experiences, provide bonus learning experiences and resources, and support community engagement through volunteer opportunities and facility use.

Partnerships that support program sustainability will be highlighted, as well as the evolution of the project over the past 11 years.

The visit will end with Q&A with an expert panel that includes district leadership, the lead farmer, lead educator, and the site administrator.

Guiding Questions to help you reflect on your experience before, during, and after your tour:

How does Farm Lab model and support the district’s six learner profile competencies? (Empowered Learner, Skilled Communicator, Innovative Thinker, Confident Collaborator, Wellness Advocate, Global Citizen)
What are the implications for professional learning with a satellite campus that hosts every student and classroom teacher in the district?
Which component(s) of this project resonate with your current goals?
How can you begin this type of work with the existing resources you have?
How can the use of technology enhance sustainability efforts?

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E3 Civic High School

Estimated tour departure: 8:50 am PT
Estimated return: 11:45am
Transportation: Bus
Theme: Design Thinking

Join us for a tour of e3 Civic High given by our scholar ambassadors. Participants will be able to see how our mission and vision come to life within our studios, and how our Learning Facilitators engage, educate, and empower our learning community.

After touring our campus, guests will be able to participate in a panel discussion and subsequent breakout groups with our CEO, Principal, Deans, Instructional Coaches, and Wellness team around these guiding questions:

How might we design and implement a sustainable learning model that engages, educates, and empowers every scholar in every classroom?
How do we create a system that supports the wellness needs of the whole scholar and gives the skill sets to be successful in the real world?
How can we create learning experiences and opportunities that prepare our scholars for college, workforce, and life?

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Finally, guests will have the opportunity to hear pitches from our scholars who have developed their own business concepts to address an identified real-world need.

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Altus Schools Resource Center

Estimated tour departure: 8:30am PT
Estimated return: 12:00pm
Transportation: Bus
Theme: Innovation, highlighting STEAM integration within our elementary homeschool program

Join us as we experience an alternative school model in action at an Altus Schools Resource Center. You’ll see a blended learning curriculum using new technology along with existing resources and small teacher-to-student ratios. Engage with teachers and students and explore how access to technology provides for an equitable education. Technology is embedded into all aspects of each Resource Center - from the teaching and learning program with students to how the Resource Centers are set up. The focus will be on innovation, highlighting STEAM integration within our elementary homeschool program, engaging with students using generative AI in an ethically and responsible manner, expanding access to higher education using data-driven results within our Early College Credit program, and looking toward the future of the human-machine partnership with Altus Ameca, the world's most advanced semi autonomous AI humanoid robot.

During the tour you'll explore questions such as:

How has a culture of continuous improvement fostered innovation?
How does the Resource Center design support the school’s approach to personalized and individualized learning?
How does access to technology create an equitable experience for students?
How must teaching and learning transform to teach students the skills needed for the future?
Are we ok asking, and wrestling with, big questions without knowing the answers?
How can STEAM integration prepare students for future careers and technological advancements?
With the rise of AI in education, how can schools foster academic integrity while embracing curriculum innovation?
What role should AI play in shaping the future of teaching and learning—how do we balance technology and human connection?
What are the biggest barriers to early college credit access, and how can schools ensure equitable opportunities for all students?
How can AI-powered humanoid robots like Ameca enhance small-group instruction and support teachers rather than replace them?
What are the ethical and pedagogical considerations when integrating AI-driven teaching assistants in K-12 education?

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SCHOOL DESCRIPTION

Altus Schools are Free Public Schools serving students in grades TK-12. Altus Schools share a common philosophy and approach that puts kids first. Our schools focus on improving student achievement, creating prototypes for educational reform, and improving the quality of life for students, their families, and their communities. These nonprofit, State-funded, free public schools redefine how teachers teach and students learn.

Altus Schools offer an alternative to the traditional school setting. The neighborhood Resource Centers are designed to activate the learning potential of every student. The blended learning curriculum utilizes the newest technology alongside existing resources and has enhanced the learning experience of every student. Altus Schools are truly breaking the barriers in providing the highest quality education available whether it is in-person, blended, or hybrid.

The combination of high quality instruction and small teacher-to-student ratio gives students the opportunity to achieve their greatest academic endeavors. The Altus Schools' unique instructional model gives teachers the opportunity to interact with students on a meaningful level, resulting in a transformative education for our students!

Students can find the focus to catch up and have the freedom to accelerate at a pace that optimizes learning in the style they prefer. At Altus Schools, flexible scheduling and around-the-year calendar better serves each student’s academic and personal needs. Unlike traditional schools, where attendance is accumulated by being physically present in the classroom, Altus Schools measures attendance by completion of work. Teachers work one-on-one with every student and their family to ensure assignments are completed and learning is achieved.

The Altus Schools journey to provide personalized, exceptional educational options to students in neighborhoods throughout Southern California began in 1994 when Altus Schools Charter School of San Diego (ASCSSD) became the first charter school approved in San Diego County. In the decades since, ASCSSD began serving students through a radically different model that continues to provide students with a free, public individualized learning option in their neighborhood. Altus Schools have replicated to include Altus Schools Audeo (est. 2001), Altus Schools Mirus (est. 2007), Audeo Charter School II (est. 2016), Altus Schools East County (est. 2017), Altus Schools South Bay (est. 2017), Altus Schools North County (est. 2018), and Audeo Valley Charter School (2021). Together, these schools have transformed the lives of nearly 80,000 students, their families, and the communities in which they live.

PRE-READING FOR ATTENDEES

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Guiding Questions:

How has a culture of continuous improvement fostered innovation?
How does the Resource Center design support the school’s approach to personalized and individualized learning?
How does access to technology create an equitable experience for students?
How must teaching and learning transform to teach students the skills needed for the future?
Are we ok asking, and wrestling with, big questions without knowing the answers?
How can STEAM integration prepare students for future careers and technological advancements?
With the rise of AI in education, how can schools foster academic integrity while embracing curriculum innovation?
What role should AI play in shaping the future of teaching and learning—how do we balance technology and human connection?
What are the biggest barriers to early college credit access, and how can schools ensure equitable opportunities for all students?

Del Mar Heights

Estimated tour departure: 7:45am PT
Estimated return: 12:05pm
Transportation: Bus
Theme: Creating a Culture of Thinking and the Essential Elements of Instruction

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Get ready to explore a learning environment designed to inspire and empower young minds at Del Mar Heights School! The campus is a dynamic hub of activity where students are thinkers, creators, and innovators. Step into our STEAM+ Studios and Innovation Center, where science, technology, engineering, and the arts come together to ignite the unique genius of each student. Equipped with cutting-edge resources and flexible workspaces, students collaborate, experiment, and bring meaningful learning to life.

The nature-integrated campus invites students to explore adjacent outdoor learning areas, expansive playgrounds, and fields. Natural light and fresh air permeate vibrant interior learning spaces throughout the school. Del Mar Heights is designed for every learner and to support a variety of teaching activities. Learning Studios have ergonomic, flexible furnishings and tools for personalized, collaborative learning. Traditional ideas around hallways have been turned into Learning Commons for student and teacher use throughout the day. The Learning Commons also house a large portion of the decentralized library, placing books near students for increased access. Cozy Learning Nooks offer the perfect spot for quiet reflection or focused teamwork. Operable walls that open between learning studios or to the outdoors support learning beyond the individual classroom into an integrated school community.

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Guiding Questions:‍

In what ways is student thinking valued, visible, and actively promoted?
What priorities and values related to learning does the environment communicate to visitors?
How does the environment support the deprivatization of teaching and learning for students and adults?

Pacific Sky School

Estimated tour departure: 7:45am PT
Estimated return: 12:00pm
Transportation: Bus
Theme: Creating a Culture of Thinking and the Essential Elements of Instruction

As you walk through Pacific Sky School, the vibrant and innovative design comes to life starting with the STEAM+ Studios and Innovation Center, where science, technology, engineering, and the arts come together to ignite the unique genius of each student. Equipped with cutting-edge resources and flexible workspaces, students collaborate, experiment, and bring meaningful learning to life.

Natural light and fresh air permeate vibrant interior learning spaces throughout the school. Designed for every learner and to support a variety of teaching activities, Pacific Sky’s Learning Studios have ergonomic, flexible furnishings and tools for personalized, collaborative learning. Cozy nooks for reading, comfortable spaces for students to gather, and breakout rooms for focused individual or group work are all part of the intentional design. Traditional ideas around hallways have turned into Learning Commons for student and teacher use throughout the day. The Learning Commons also house a large portion of the decentralized library, placing books near students for increased access. Operable walls that open to the learning commons or to the outdoors support learning beyond the individual classroom into an integrated school community.

The school’s playgrounds offer a variety of play experiences for children of all ages and abilities, integrating natural elements to inspire imaginative play. Slides that take you from one level to another add whimsical elements to outdoor spaces. A large field, bordered by a granite track, encourages outdoor games, socialization, and relaxation.