- Data Portal
- > School Profile
Insight Colearning Center
Insight Colearning Center, nominated by One Stone, is a high school in Durham, North Carolina, that describes itself as an independent (private) school serving learners from a primarily urban area.
Location Durham, North Carolina
Governance Independent (Private) School
Grades High
Students 33
Locale Urban
Executive Director Susan Wallace Haws
Demographics
Percentage of students*
—
English Learners
24%
Free/Reduced Lunch
88%
Students with Disabilities
African American or Black 18%
American Indian/Alaska Native —
Asian 3%
Hawaiian or Pacific Islander —
Hispanic or Latino 24%
White 55%
2+ Races —
Why Insight Colearning Center was nominated
Insight Co-Learning is an innovative independent school. They are champions of competency-based learning that is individualized and meets students needs now and in the future. They focus on under-served students and are truly committed to advancing equity. Their mission sums up their strengths and focus: "Insight Colearning Center prepares traditionally under-served teens to make a difference in a rapidly changing and uncertain world by providing an exemplary high school experience that combines rigorous, college-style coursework, authentic problem-based learning, one-on-one advising, accommodations and respect for learning differences, and participation in a dynamic and diverse learning community. To achieve this mission, we help students build Competence, Confidence, and Connection in school and Community."
Student experience design
Insight Colearning Center is a unique, learner-centered micro high school located in the heart of Durham, NC. Started in 2018 through a grassroots movement, Insight seeks to disrupt the educational landscape for teens in order to reengage them in authentic and relevant learning for the 21st century and to empower them to make a difference in our rapidly changing and uncertain world. Insight specializes in helping teens discover their “why.” Through a unique combination of coursework, real world learning, outdoor adventure education (OAE), human centered design training, and wayfinding mentorship, Insight students connect deeply to their purpose, gain skills and confidence, build supportive networks, and make tangible contributions to their communities. To this end, we offer a rich program that includes coursework, electives, and real-world experiences that together facilitate teens’ development of 24 durable skills for living and lifelong learning. Our portrait of a graduate arises from the Insight Transforming Matrix, which includes 14 Learning Outcomes that are critical for lifelong learning and global citizenship. Throughout their time at Insight, students work with their mentors, instructors, and outside collaborators to develop learning goals and to tailor their high school experience towards their own interests, while also developing fundamental skills and abilities that prepare them for future endeavors. The Insight experience culminates in an independent "Transforming Project" that demonstrates students’ ability to identify and pursue a challenging and meaningful endeavor that combines two or more areas of interest and that makes a lasting impact in their field or community.
Core Practices
| Core Practices | Length of Use |
|---|---|
|
Assessments For Deeper Learning |
5+ years
|
|
Competency/mastery-based Education |
5+ years
|
|
Individual Learner Profiles |
5+ years
|
|
Performance Based Assessment |
5+ years
|
|
Student-led Conferences |
3-4 years
|
All Practices
Advancement On Mastery
Student Advisories
Anti-racist Practices
Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning
Assessments For Social-emotional Skills
Career Advising & Support
Career Exploration
Co-leadership
College Advising & Support
Community And Workforce Partnerships
Family And Community Support Services
Culturally Responsive Practices
Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles
Grading Policies Focus On Mastery
All Courses Designed For Inclusion
Internships
Individual Learning Paths
Mental Health Services
1:1 Mentoring
Multi-age Classrooms
No Tracked Classes
Project-based Learning
Peer To Peer Support
Reallocation Of Resources For Students Most In Need
Restorative Practices
SEL Integration School-wide
Service Learning
Students Access Their Own Data
Student-led Goal Setting
Students Develop Projects
Trauma-informed Practices
Tutoring
Universal Design For Learning
Career Prep
key reasons for innovating
Demonstrate what’s possible for other schools
Improve school culture
Increase student agency
Date Updated: 4/1/2026
*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.