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In search of relevant, student-centered learning, many traditional high schools are adding internship programs and capstone projects to their curriculum. This innovative Rhode Island high school built its entire curriculum around each individual child’s curiosity about the future. Listen in as one girl, who had lost her way in a traditional high school, found her North Star.

In the third season of Like a Sponge, we explore how high schools need to change, and the ways some educators are rethinking assumptions and remaking their schools to actually work for students. In this episode, we look at how in Rhode Island built its entire curriculum around helping kids follow their passions, learn about the world, and discover what they would like to do.

Learn more about student-centered learning

• Watch: Why student-centered learning should be the norm
• Watch: The power of giving students voice and choice
• Read: Giving students voice and choice
• Read: Does your child’s high school offer internships?
• Read: The value of senior capstone projects

Thank you to the high school featured in this podcast

Thank you to The Met High school Co-Founder and Co-Director Dennis Littky and Co-Director Nancy Diaz. Thank you to former student Maddie Gillissie for sharing her story.

This episode of Like a Sponge was produced by Carol Lloyd and Jessica Yarmosky for Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ, thanks to the generous support of the Barr Foundation. Sound editing and design by Christopher Ferreira. Editorial support from Jessica Kelmon and Charity Ferreira. Special thanks to Nancy Diaz, Dennis Littky, Maddie Gillissie, Big Picture Learning, Todd Rose, Transcend Education, and Springpoint Schools.

This season of the podcast is part of our Transforming High School series, a collection of stories, videos, and podcasts exploring the practices that prepare students for success in college and beyond.