The idea that learning can only happen inside a classroom is no longer the norm. For today’s high school students, middle schoolers and even elementary learners, real growth occurs everywhere—in internships, in nature, in community projects and through hands-on, real-world experiences that textbooks can’t replicate.
In both rural and urban areas, schools are rethinking how to design learning models that break free from traditional structures. These new models prioritize project-based learning, student autonomy and place-based education that connects learning to the world outside school walls.
As our Informed Meandering white paper explains, the key is giving students more ownership of their learning—while offering flexible systems that support them wherever learning happens.
Flexible models that meet students where they are
Designing for “learning everywhere” requires schools to consider removing traditional boundaries of time and space. That might look like:
- Replacing rigid daily schedules with flexible blocks for projects or community work.
- Offering online learning options that complement in-person experiences.
- Recognizing internships, volunteer hours or passion projects as legitimate academic ventures.
- Using digital tools to track and articulate learning across locations and timelines.
Rather than designing education around a classroom, these models design it around students’ lives. The goal isn’t just academic success—it’s engagement, purpose and readiness for the real world.
“The only way we can develop durable skills is to put students into real world experiences, so they can actually practice them,” Nate McClennen, Vice President of Innovation and Strategy at Getting Smart said.
Flip the ownership of learning
A shift toward learning everywhere also requires a shift in mindset—from schools directing all learning to students owning and having legitimate choices in their learning paths.
This approach empowers students to:
- Explore real-world problems that interest them.
- Choose how they demonstrate mastery—through writing, video, performance or action.
- Reflect on their learning process using tools like portfolios or journals.
- Learn from setbacks or even failures without punitive risks, gaining valuable insights for new progress.
- Work alongside mentors, business leaders or nonprofit partners in the community.
When students have a say in what, how and where they learn, they build competencies and confidence. They begin to see themselves as capable, curious and in control of their own growth.
Removing boundaries without removing support
While flexibility is key, students still need structure. Innovative school models that support learning everywhere use a mix of:
- Advisory systems to provide mentorship and accountability
- Collaborative learning projects to build community and communication skills
- Modular learning units students can complete on different timelines
- Real-time feedback and reflection tools to help students stay on track
This blend of autonomy and scaffolding ensures learning outcomes remain strong, even as students work beyond traditional settings.
It works in rural and urban communities
In rural school districts, where students may live far from campus or lack access to local businesses and farms, learning everywhere is often a necessity. In urban areas, it’s an opportunity to connect students to cultural institutions, startups, local government and other partners that make learning more dynamic.
Whether through internships, simulations, fieldwork or community-based design challenges, students in both settings benefit from learning that is personalized, purposeful and rooted in the real world.
Your partners in innovative school design
Building schools that reflect the needs of learners, families and local communities doesn’t happen in isolation. ASU Prep Global partners with public, private and nonprofit schools to co-design flexible, future-ready models.
We help school districts unlock new possibilities by providing K–12 digital tools, curriculum licensing, robust learning management systems, school or program design consultation and real-time implementation support. Our professional development programs equip educators to lead with empathy and agility—whether they’re navigating the shift to personalized learning, launching new modules or scaling a bold new idea.
More than a curriculum provider, ASU Prep Global is a committed school design partner. Together, we help schools implement hands-on, high-impact learning experiences that serve students and transform communities.
Ready to rethink the future of K–12 learning?
Want to explore more practical strategies, real-world examples and proven design frameworks to help your school prepare for the future of education? Read our full white paper: “Informed Meandering: Designing Untethered K–12 Learning Models.”
You may also be interested in reading:
How Stakeholder Collaboration Drives Innovation and Builds Future-Ready Schools
A Practical Guide to Designing Better Learning Models
The Power of Pilots: Testing & Scaling New Learning Models
Designing for Better Outcomes: How Schools Can Rethink Assessment and Credit