LaFayette Big Picture

LaFayette, NY

First-choice alternative education

LaFayette Big Picture, part of the Big Picture Learning Network, began in 2008 as a program for 15 over-aged, under-credited and at-risk high school freshmen in rural upstate New York. Thanks to hallmarks like personalized learning plans, a small family-like environment, and powerful internships, it has evolved from a last resort program for a handful of youth into a first-choice high school for young people from all walks of life.

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What it looks and feels like

Belonging and contribution are currents that run through the LaFayette Big Picture experience. Relational structures like advisory groups enable students to deeply know themselves, their peers, and their staff. From that place of support, students learn and pursue their interests through projects benefiting both their school and local communities. On any given day, the student-led culinary team may be catering a meal for the nearby Onondaga Nation’s elders, while another group is building a hydroponic garden on campus, and other students are at internships throughout LaFayette. Students regularly identify and reflect on their progress, skills, and plans through presentations of their learning portfolios to staff, peers, family, and community members. A common reflection from students is that they’ve never worked so hard, but they put in that work because it’s rooted in what matters to them and equips them for a future of their choosing.

Learning at Big Picture makes you feel motivated to do work and find your career. This school also teaches you life skills.
LAFAYETTE BIG PICTURE LEARNER

THE IMPACT

~50%

of students come from the Onondaga Nation

76%

experience learner agency positively, compared to 52.7% of others surveyed

72%

experience positive socially-embedded learning, compared to 57.3% of others surveyed

MODEL HIGHLIGHTS

Supportive Culture

Strong connections are forged through structures like years-long advisory groups, school-wide overnight trips, team projects, and peer mentorships. The deep trust and familiarity enable students to learn through feedback loops and build on mistakes.

Relevance

As freshmen, students identify their interests and potential career paths and seek out aligned projects and internships. During their final year, students dig deep into an area of passion through a comprehensive senior thesis project and develop a post-secondary plan.

Cutting-edge documentation of learning

LaFayette Big Picture is one of a handful of schools piloting the International Big Picture Learning Credential, an authentic, personalized method of capturing and measuring graduates’ learning. It was developed collaboratively by Big Picture Australia, Big Picture network schools themselves, and the University of Melbourne’s Assessment Research Center.