The visit to Big Picture Learning’s (BPL) flagship campus showed us why this international nonprofit with a 30-year legacy boasts an impressive portfolio of 144 high schools across 28 states. Their secret sauce? High school reimaged with a one-of-a-kind internship program paired with a supportive advisory structure.
As the third stop of the Yass Prize roadshow, alumni, policy makers, and the CER team visited BPL in May to celebrate their recognition as a 2024 Yass Prize Finalist at their flagship campus–The MET School. Big Picture Learning received a $500,000 award to expand to all 50 states by 2030, with plans to reach nearly 50,000 students during the 2024–2025 academic year.
Co-Executive Director Carlos Moreno credits the MET where he first worked, as “a place that nourished him and gave him the confidence to see what’s truly possible when you allow yourself to dream”. Also in attendance were Keith Brooks of the National Fellowship for Black and Latino Male Educators and Pamela Rogers of St. Mary’s Academy – fellow Yass Prize awardees. Brooks remarked that visiting The MET felt like “stepping into the future of education, except it’s happening right now.” Rogers echoed his sentiments, praising the school’s ability to instill confidence in learners, while empowering them to explore aspirations.
State policy makers, including Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor Elizabeth Winangun and Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, voiced strong support for The MET. Commissioner Infante-Green called it “a big moment in Rhode Island,” highlighting plans to expand CTE credentialing statewide.
Big Picture Learning serves as a replicable model through their focus on sustainability – a cornerstone of the Yass Prize – which emphasizes innovation fueled by public investment. Rather than relying solely on philanthropic support, BPL operates through a fee-for-service model in collaboration with public schools and districts, enabling customized partnership agreements that drive systemic change.
Here, students are charting their own career paths in real time, exploring their unique interests through personalized learning plans and hands-on internships. Students spoke about working alongside professionals in fields ranging from healthcare to the arts, gaining not just academic knowledge but confidence while doing so. One high school junior gave credit to her internship and mentorship, which catapulted her to earn a certification in photography and simultaneously launch her own wedding photography business.
I missed around 85 days in my last school and “I knew I needed something different,” one junior offered. “The Met is a school that really works for me.” That – and BPL’s approach – is a result of the power of personalization. It’s not just a model for success. It’s a call to action.
To enjoy more photos from this incredible visit, please visit the entire gallery here. And if you missed our first and second roadshow stops, learn how both St. Mary’s Academy and Rural Schools Innovation Zone STOP for education.