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Warren Township board hears Big Picture school visit, weighs advisory program
Summary
District staff described a site visit to University High School in Chattanooga and recommended exploring a Big Picture Learning advisory model — a credit‑bearing, small‑group class that anchors student projects and regular real‑world learning days.
Warren Township High School District 121 staff on Tuesday described a recent visit to University High School in Chattanooga and urged the board to consider elements of the Big Picture Learning model, especially a structured advisory course that would pair small groups of students with an adult adviser and regular “focus Friday” real‑world learning experiences.
"Our mission is to develop an extraordinary university‑partnered high school education model," Ashley Easterwood, dean at the Almond campus, told the board as she summarized the district team's trip. Easterwood and teachers who attended said University High prioritizes long‑term student projects, internship partnerships and daily advisory meetings that support social‑emotional learning and career exploration.
Kim Patch, an Almond campus English teacher who traveled with the team, said advisory at the visited school "is a class. It's a credit‑bearing class where they are getting projects, getting assigned doing presentations, really exploring their interests." She added that advisory there is intentionally different from a homeroom and that teachers assigned to advisories should be enthusiastic about the role.
Presenters acknowledged that the Chattanooga school serves a small cohort (about 87 students) and that the district will need to evaluate scalability. They asked the board to approve additional site visits to larger schools in the Big Picture network — including visits to Fannie Lou School in the Bronx and a site in San Diego — so district leaders can compare models before recommending a local pilot.
District leaders framed the proposed inquiry as aligned with the strategic plan goal to "rethink the high school experience" and strengthen career connections. No formal decision was requested Tuesday; presenters said further investigation and stakeholder input would follow.
The board did not take action on the matter on Tuesday; members thanked the visitors and encouraged ongoing study and additional site visits.
