Brightworks School

Demographics

Percentage of students*

Why Brightworks School was nominated

This school has a fully implemented mastery-based learning system and uses the Mastery Transcript as the official summative record for some or all graduates., This school has implemented a competency-based learning model and is or will soon be publishing Mastery Transcripts or MTC Learning Records as summative records for some or all graduates., The school has implemented mastery-based learning system and uses the Mastery Transcript as the official summative record for some or all graduates or supplements the legacy transcript with the MTC Learning Record reporting on "durable skills) (aka "portrait of a gradudate" competencies).

Student experience design

Brightworks (located in San Francisco) is less of a traditional school and more of a collaborative laboratory. If you’re used to the "sit-still-and-listen" model of education, Brightworks is a radical departure. It’s built on the philosophy of Gever Tulley (author of 50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do)), and it prioritizes agency, tactile exploration, and community. Here is how the Brightworks student experience is uniquely structured: 1. The "Arc" Framework Instead of semesters divided by subjects (Math, English, History), the year is divided into three Arcs. Each Arc focuses on a singular, broad topic—like "Salt," "Wind," or "Space." The Arc is experienced in three distinct phases: Exploration: Students go on field trips, talk to experts, and engage in "provocations" to spark interest in the topic. Expression: Students pitch and execute a massive project that connects the topic to their personal interests. Exposition: Students present their work to the public, defending their process and findings. 2. Co-Authors of Learning At Brightworks, teachers are called Collaborators. This isn't just a quirky title; it reflects a shift in power. Agency: Students have a massive say in how they learn. If the Arc is "Salt," one student might build a desalination plant, while another writes a play about the salt trade. Mixed-Age "Bands": Students aren't grouped by rigid grade levels but by "Bands" (e.g., Opal, Amber, Obsidian). This fosters a mentorship culture where older students help younger ones with power tools or complex coding. 3. The Shop & The City The physical environment is central to the experience. The school often looks like a high-end maker space or an art studio. The Shop: Students are taught to use table saws, drills, and laser cutters from a young age. The philosophy is that "dangerous" tools build competence and mindfulness. San Francisco as a Classroom: The city is treated as an extension of the school. Students spend a significant amount of time off-site, interviewing locals or gathering data in the field. 4. Embracing the "Beautiful Mess" The experience is designed to be iterative and high-stakes. Brightworks values the "failed" project just as much as the successful one, provided the student can explain why it failed. It creates an environment where: Resilience is built through physical builds that don't always work the first time. Curiosity is protected rather than standardized. Complexity is welcomed; they don't oversimplify the world for the kids. The Takeaway: The Brightworks experience is for the student who wants to get their hands dirty, ask "why" a hundred times, and see their education result in something tangible rather than just a grade on a paper.

Core Practices

Core Practices	Length of Use
Anti-racist Practices	3-4 years
Project-based Learning	5+ years
SEL Integration School-wide	5+ years
Student-led Goal Setting	5+ years
Students Develop Projects	5+ years

All Practices

Advancement On Mastery

Student Advisories

AI Literacy

Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning

Assessments For Deeper Learning

Assessments For Social-emotional Skills

Blended Learning

Co-leadership

Community And Workforce Partnerships

Family And Community Support Services

Competency/mastery-based Education

Early College High School

Extended Learning Time

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Educators Have Industry Experience

Individual Learner Profiles

Individual Learning Paths

Mental Health Services

1:1 Mentoring

Multi-age Classrooms

Peer To Peer Support

Performance Based Assessment

High Quality Instructional Materials

Restorative Practices

SEL Curriculum

Student-led Conferences

Tutoring

Universal Design For Learning

Career Prep

key reasons for innovating