AT A GLANCE

Headquarters
Providence, Rhode Island

Year Founded
1995

Social Entrepreneur
Andrew Frishman and Carlos Moreno, Co-Executive Directors

Website
http://www.bigpicture.org

Mission:

Big Picture Learning specializes in intensive training and support to schools to implement student-centered, real-world connected learning. Big Picture Learning schools place students in “advisories” where students and an advisor support each student to identify their learning interests and drive their own learning through internship and project based learning.  One of the early pioneers in personalized learning, BPL has developed their unique model over more than two decades.

Vision:  

Big Picture Learning’s (BPL) 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.

Approach:

• 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.

Impact:

Big Picture Learning is proud to influence--and be influenced by--the work of 10 separate networks that have come together to form the Deeper Learning Network. Together, these 10 networks serve over 500 schools, bringing deeper learning practices to more than 200,000 students nationwide.

• 78% of students take college courses while in high school.
• 95-100% of students are accepted into 2 or 4 year college.
• 93% average attendance in Big Picture-established schools (2014).
• Of those not in college, 88% are in a full time job or career position.
• 74% of those who are working and not in school report securing a job through a contact from their high school internship.