Education is evolving—fast. Declining enrollments, disengaged students and widening achievement gaps are pushing schools to rethink how learning happens. As schools are being designed or redesigned accordingly, a picture is emerging of learning that offers tremendous flexibility, yet remains anchored to durable skills and foundational knowledge.
Innovation starts by listening
Designing the next generation of K–12 learning environments begins with a mindset shift: from creating systems for students and families to building them with students and families.
According to Dr. Jill Loveall, Director of Teacher Development and Learning Initiatives at ASU Prep, true innovation is grounded in empathy, which means talking to the people you’re designing for. In the Stanford Design Thinking model, the first step is simple but essential: listen first. That includes students, parents, teachers, principals, industry partners and anyone with a stake in the outcome.
By asking open-ended questions and listening without judgment, school leaders begin to uncover unmet needs and potential gaps in their design. As our Informed Meandering white paper explains, these conversations can surface unexpected patterns—and lead to better questions, better priorities and better learning models.
Design with students, not just for them
Traditional school design tends to be top-down. But future-ready learning environments give students a seat at the table. As part of the Principled Innovation framework developed by ASU, design teams are encouraged to co-create with students and reflect regularly on values like equity, ownership and relevance.
When schools intentionally gather and reflect on student voice, the outcomes are more high-quality, responsive and inclusive. At ASU Prep, teams use learner profiles to guide the design process, ensuring models promote critical thinking, collaboration and empathy. The goal isn’t just to make learning more engaging—it’s to help young people develop durable skills they’ll carry into adulthood. Making students part of the design process gives them another place to develop those skills.
Build models that reflect your community
Every school exists within a broader ecosystem. To design something meaningful, school teams must take into account the culture, needs and aspirations of their communities. This includes considering which real-world skills are most valuable locally, what learning opportunities already exist and how schools can better align with what students and families actually want.
For example, some school districts may prioritize project-based learning aligned to local industries. Others may co-design programs that mix in-person, online learning and internships, creating flexible options that reflect modern life.
The learning process becomes less about rigid curriculum delivery and more about helping students develop competencies that matter in the real world.
Collaboration keeps innovation grounded
Innovation isn’t a one-time effort. It’s an iterative, collaborative process that requires feedback, humility and flexibility. By involving stakeholders early—and often—schools stay anchored to their purpose and avoid chasing shiny trends that don’t serve their learners.
Our Informed Meandering white paper emphasizes four character domains from the Principled Innovation model—moral, civic, intellectual and performance—which guide schools to balance bold ideas with real responsibility. This framework helps teams ask:
- Are we honoring the perspectives of those we serve?
- Have we taken time to reflect and adjust based on feedback?
- Are our solutions working—for students, families and educators?
Answering these questions honestly builds a culture of trust, transparency and improvement, setting schools on a path to success.
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:
- A Practical Guide to Designing Better Learning Models
- Beyond the Classroom: Designing Schools for Learning Everywhere
- The Power of Pilots: Testing & Scaling New Learning Models
- Designing for Better Outcomes: How Schools Can Rethink Assessment and Credit