June 18, 2026

Dear Educator,

Across California, districts and schools are stepping into the important work of reimagining secondary education through the state’s Secondary School Redesign Pilot.

Learner-Centered Collaborative is honored to be one of 14 networks partnering across the state to identify what is working, surface barriers that stand in the way of meaningful change, and learn together as we pursue the urgent work of redesigning high school for today’s learners. Within our network, 12 districts are embracing this challenge.

One of those districts is San Diego Unified, where the team at Madison High School is reminding us that sustainable transformation begins when leaders create the conditions for educators to learn, experiment, and grow together. Meaningful change does not happen through mandates alone. It requires trust, collaboration, and a willingness to learn by doing. More on what that looks like in this week's Bright Spot.

With Gratitude,

Redesigning High School Through Trust, Voice, and Opportunity

I recently recorded a podcast with Fred Hilgers, Principal of Madison High School in San Diego Unified, about what it means to lead through deep listening, trust, and continuous learning. Drawing on more than three decades in education, Fred reflected on the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy and his belief that meaningful change begins by listening closely to students, educators, and families.

One story stood out. As Fred observed a small group of teachers participating in an opt-in learning pilot, he witnessed the impact authentic professional learning had on teacher and student engagement. Rather than simply asking educators to change their practice, the experience allowed teachers to learn, collaborate, and test new approaches together.

The results were powerful enough to spark a broader shift. Madison High School is moving away from traditional, top-down PLC structures and toward teacher-led Communities of Practice. These communities are organized around educator-identified needs, collaborative learning, and action-oriented improvement cycles designed to achieve meaningful outcomes for students.

This work is a reminder that if we want schools to become places where learners have voice, agency, and ownership, educators must experience those same conditions themselves.

Madison High School’s redesign journey demonstrates that when leaders trust teachers as learners and partners, innovation and engagement follow. In a time when many schools are searching for the right path forward, Madison offers a compelling example of change that grows from within.

What does professional learning look like in your district? If you're looking for more energy, joy, and actionable sessions in the 2026-27 academic year, connect with our team to learn more about our process.

This Playbook draws on Learner-Centered Collaborative’s work with schools and districts nationwide, highlighting communities that have redesigned school and learning in ways that reflect their unique contexts and aspirations.

Examples include:

• Conway Academy, in Escondido, CA: prioritizing whole-learner development through mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality work.
• Hālau Kū Māna Public Charter School, in Honolulu, HI: grounding learning in culture, community, and place.
• Alexandria City High School, in Alexandria, VA: providing student choice and connections between what students are learning and their futures.

Through these examples, the Playbook explores five Learner-Centered School Design Structures that enable sustainable, learner-centered education.

Resources to advance your learner-centered practice

📖 Learning is a Process, Not an Event. "When we adopt a program, new curriculum, or a platform without understanding the vision or the underlying pedagogy, we can fail to reach our desired goal if we don’t change our practices to leverage these new resources." Discover what professional learning could look like in your district.

📚 Systemwide Big Move: Professional Learning Plan. "Developing a professional learning calendar and plan aligned with the Learning Model ensures that educators experience the agency, collaboration and authentic application they are fostering in their classrooms." Explore these plans.

🎯 Learner-Centered Education Bundle. "Everything you need to design learner-centered experiences that bring your learners’ curiosity to life!" Start learning today.