Big Picture Learning
California Secondary School Redesign Pilot Program
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California's Secondary School Redesign Pilot Program is transforming high schools into student-centered environments built on strong relationships, deep learning, and real-world relevance. Administered by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) in partnership with the California Department of Education (CDE) and State Board of Education (SBE), the pilot invests in proven networks already doing this work. Big Picture Learning (BPL) is one of those networks — bringing over 30 years of experience helping students pursue meaningful, personalized learning pathways to schools across California.
Participating Districts & Demonstration Sites
Primary Demonstration Site
San Diego Met High School (San Diego USD)
Additional Network and Affiliate Sites
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The Met Sacramento (Sacramento City USD)
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New Village Girls Academy (Los Angeles USD)
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11 full BPL community schools and 26 partner schools statewide adopting core design elements (Advisory, LTIs, Authentic Assessment/IBPLC)
Examples
HOW BIG PICTURE LEARNING REDESIGNS SCHOOLS
BPL's model is built on the belief that every student deserves to be known, supported, and challenged. Here's how that comes to life in California classrooms:
Every Student is Known & Supported
Each student belongs to a small, multi-year Advisory group with the same advisor for two to four years. Advisors build trust through home visits, daily check-ins, and Personal Learning Plans developed together with students and families — ensuring no student falls through the cracks.
Learning Connected to Real Life
Every week, students participate in Learning Through Interests/Internships (LTIs) — working alongside real-world mentors in settings that connect directly to California standards and BPL's core learning goals: communication, empirical reasoning, quantitative reasoning, social reasoning, personal qualities, and knowing how to learn.
Equity Through Personalization
Equity in BPL schools means personalization within a supportive learning community. Through internships, dual enrollment, and the International Big Picture Learning Credential (IBPLC), students earn college credit and build authentic records of their growth and achievement.
Students Lead Their Own Learning
Students showcase their progress through exhibitions that bring together families, mentors, and peers. Real-world learning through internships and community college coursework has fueled increased motivation, confidence, and persistence among BPL students.
Built to Last
BPL schools are designed to sustain transformation over time through multi-year advisories, dedicated internship coordinators, and tools like ImBlaze and the IBPLC that create durable systems for authentic learning and assessment. Over two decades in California, BPL has aligned its model with UC A–G requirements to ensure long-term viability for all students.
Highlights
PILOT ACTIVITIES
Quarterly Regional Convenings
Four two-day events each year in San Diego, Sacramento, and Los Angeles, focused on Advisory practices, Internships, Authentic Assessment, and Equity Leadership.
Guided Demonstration Visits
Four immersive, student-led school visits per year — two at San Diego Met, one at The Met Sacramento, and one at New Village Girls Academy — with workshops on Advisory, LTIs, student portfolios, IBPLC moderation, and internship systems.
Student & Family Voice at the Center
BPL centers students and families as co-designers of the learning experience. Student Leadership Fellows co-facilitate sessions, host visitors, and share their stories. A Family Advisory Group provides ongoing feedback and helps shape engagement strategies — keeping redesign grounded in lived experience.
Collaborators
KEY PARTNERS
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American Student Assistance (ASA)
Convenes monthly statewide policy meetings with stakeholders from across California.
University of California Board of Regents
A partner in developing the Big Picture A–G Course Matrix, aligning interest-driven learning with UC admissions expectations.
IBPLC — International Big Picture Learning Credential
An initiative to develop a BPL-aligned student recognition that sits alongside state credentials. CRESST at UCLA conducted an external evaluation of the IBPLC's alignment to California Common Core standards and deeper learning competencies. Partnerships continue with Big Picture Education Australia, University of Melbourne, UC San Diego, and Northeastern University.
Want to Learn More?
For additional information about this work, services, or upcoming projects, please reach out via email to Andrea Purcell, the Big Picture Learning Program Director for IBPLC, at andrea@bigpicturelearning.org.
