Rebooting School: A Superintendent’s Guide to a New Operating System

January 21, 2026 | 7:00 am–8:00 am PDT

Pedagogical Lessons in Integrated CTE and Student-Driven Learning

For decades, the American high school experience has been defined by the “industrial model”—a rigid system of “cells and bells” that often fails to prepare students for the complexities of the modern world. Join us for a 60-minute deep dive into the “Winchester Revolution,” a case study in how to dismantle outdated rhythms and build a pedagogical operating system that fosters student agency.

Dr. Jason Van Heukelum, Superintendent of Winchester Public Schools, will share findings from the district’s transformation, including the opening of the Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center. This session moves beyond theory to explore how Winchester has successfully integrated Career and Technical Education (CTE) with core academic rigor, leading to top-tier student growth in math and literacy.

We will discuss the themes explored in the recent documentary Multiple Choice, which highlights Winchester’s rejection of standardized, one-size-fits-all schooling in favor of purposeful, student-directed pathways. Participants will leave with a roadmap for implementing non-negotiables like “no-bell” systems, architectural transparency, and the “Five Cs” assessment framework.

Learning Objectives:

The “Five Cs” Assessment Framework: How to measure Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Citizenship, Collaboration, and Communication through student-owned, authentic projects.
Dismantling the Bell System: Lessons learned from moving to a fluid, studio-based schedule that teaches students self-regulation and time management.
The “Learning Coach” Transition: Shifting the teacher’s role from a lecturer to a facilitator who designs real-world, industry-aligned challenges.
Opportunity Culture & Student Growth: How Winchester used Multi-Classroom Leadership to achieve some of the highest student growth scores in Virginia.
The “AI-Ready” Graduate: Implementing a graduate profile that prioritizes human cognitive skills—synthesis, storytelling, and connection—in the era of machine learning.

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For more information about any of these shifts, check out our New Horizon Design Principles.

	Beginning	Piloting	Implementing
From Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery	BeginningFrom Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery Beginning	PilotingFrom Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery Piloting	ImplementingFrom Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery Implementing
From One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning	BeginningFrom One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning Beginning	PilotingFrom One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning Piloting	ImplementingFrom One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning Implementing
From Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry	BeginningFrom Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry Beginning	PilotingFrom Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry Piloting	ImplementingFrom Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry Implementing
From Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning	BeginningFrom Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning Beginning	PilotingFrom Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning Piloting	ImplementingFrom Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning Implementing
From Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities	BeginningFrom Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities Beginning	PilotingFrom Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities Piloting	ImplementingFrom Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities Implementing
From Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment	BeginningFrom Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment Beginning	PilotingFrom Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment Piloting	ImplementingFrom Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment Implementing
From Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets	BeginningFrom Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets Beginning	PilotingFrom Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets Piloting	ImplementingFrom Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets Implementing

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