Many of you know that the film Most Likely to Succeed changed my life, opening doors into the education reimagined movement I never imagined possible. At the heart of that film was High Tech High in San Diego. Despite its name, High Tech High is not one school or simply a technology academy. It is a network of 16 public charter schools serving roughly 6,300 K–12 students. Founded in 2000, HTH is known for project-based learning grounded in equity, personalization, authentic work, and collaborative design. Students create work for public audiences, participate in exhibitions and presentations of learning, and complete real-world internships. Eleven years after I first discovered High Tech High, I have the privilege of sitting down with three remarkable students. Jillian Quinn Asiong, 16, is an athlete, adventurer, and entrepreneur whose jewelry business helped finance her own trip to South Korea. Diego Harris, 17, has pursued student government, environmental advocacy, community service, and an internship in government communications. Poema Strong, 16, is a basketball player, runner, guitarist, student leader, and outdoor adventurer whose transformative chemistry experience redirected her ambitions toward becoming a surgeon. All three have a lot to say about learning, challenge, relationships, purpose, and what school could be. Preparing for this conversation has been a privilege. And a huge shout-out to Brittney Quinones at High Tech High for helping make it happen. Brittney, you rock. My additional thanks to my editor, the talented Evan Kurohara of SOZEN Audio, and my creative consultant and co-producer, Mel Ching.

Earlier this year I listened to two episodes of Phil Evans' Education by Design podcast. One explored the Iovine and Young Center, founded on the vision of Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, where challenge-based learning, design thinking, and entrepreneurship are redefining what public education can become. The other episode featured the International Baccalaureate's ambitious Systems Transformation pilot, where students tackle complex global challenges through systems thinking, interdisciplinary inquiry, and authentic assessment.

Although the two initiatives emerged from very different places, I was struck by how much they had in common. Both reject the idea that learning should revolve around subjects, standardized tests, and the transfer of information. Instead, they invite young people to grapple with messy, consequential problems, work collaboratively across disciplines, and develop the habits of mind needed to lead meaningful change in an increasingly complex world.

Today I'm reposting those two episodes here on the What School Could Be Podcast. It's my way of expressing my gratitude to Phil Evans—for his friendship, his collaboration, and for creating conversations that continue to move forward the education reimagined movement. I hope you'll receive these episodes in the same spirit in which they're offered: as gifts to be shared. If you are a podcaster, maybe you will consider sharing someone else’s awesome episode on your platform. As always, if you have thoughts or questions, I'd love to hear from you. You can reach me at joshreppunproductions@gmail.com. My thanks to my editor, Evan Kurohara and creative consultant, Mel Ching. And now, please enjoy these two episodes from Education by Design.

Earlier this year I listened to two episodes of Phil Evans' Education by Design podcast. One explored the Iovine and Young Center, founded on the vision of Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, where challenge-based learning, design thinking, and entrepreneurship are redefining what public education can become. The other episode featured the International Baccalaureate's ambitious Systems Transformation pilot, where students tackle complex global challenges through systems thinking, interdisciplinary inquiry, and authentic assessment.

Although the two initiatives emerged from very different places, I was struck by how much they had in common. Both reject the idea that learning should revolve around subjects, standardized tests, and the transfer of information. Instead, they invite young people to grapple with messy, consequential problems, work collaboratively across disciplines, and develop the habits of mind needed to lead meaningful change in an increasingly complex world.

Today I'm reposting those two episodes here on the What School Could Be Podcast. It's my way of expressing my gratitude to Phil Evans—for his friendship, his collaboration, and for creating conversations that continue to move forward the education reimagined movement. I hope you'll receive these episodes in the same spirit in which they're offered: as gifts to be shared. If you are a podcaster, maybe you will consider sharing someone else’s awesome episode on your platform. As always, if you have thoughts or questions, I'd love to hear from you. You can reach me at joshreppunproductions@gmail.com. My thanks to my editor, Evan Kurohara and creative consultant, Mel Ching. And now, please enjoy these two episodes from Education by Design.