Future School of Fort Smith

SINCE THE START OF SUBURBANIZATION, once thriving urban centers have spent decades watching the resources and vibrant culture of their communities be stripped away. Such was the case in Fort Smith, Arkansas where population growth was less than two-percent from 1980 to 1990. But, today, younger generations are flocking back to these urban communities, and businesses are taking notice.

In 2015, Fort Smith came to a crossroads when proposal to build a new high school out in the suburbs emerged. An unexpected coalition of business and community leaders spoke out against it. Having invested their time and money in revitalizing the urban center, these leaders recognized a strong learning network was an essential, still missing element in their push to elevate the downtown community to new heights. Rather than only speak against the proposal, this coalition sought out a leader who could convince city decision makers to invest in an urban education endeavor.

Trish Flanagan, founder, superintendent, and principal of Future School was that leader. She worked tirelessly to connect with the community and hold conversations with charter supporters and dissenters alike. After garnering enough support to submit their application to the Board of Education, Future School welcomed its first cohort of learners in the fall of 2016.

Operating within the Big Picture Learning framework, open-walled opportunities and community connections are fundamental. Future School leaders are building a robust system of support for learners to explore and learn out in the community, where real-world learning happens 24/7.

Kylee is harnessing the power of opinion by interning at the local paper and publishing her very own advice column. She is constantly receiving feedback that is personalized, relevant, and contextualized. Caleb ventures to a ranch in Oklahoma to get hands-on experience delivering newborn calves and mending fences. He is immersed in a socially embedded environment that demands clear communication among all of the ranch employees. Mykale has formed a partnership with a local graphic designer and is bringing those skills to build up the image of Future School. Each opportunity cultivates learner agency and shows youth they don’t have to wait to explore their interests and make an impact in the world around them.

At Future School, everyone can show up as their whole, authentic selves. By acknowledging the unique life experiences of every learner, traditional labels (i.e. gifted, special ed, etc.) and the limitations that accompany them melt away. For all Future School learners, they are engaged, resourceful, and ready to tackle any challenge thrown their way.