About-Us » About Us » About D39C

About D39C

The Future is a Place We Create.

At Design39Campus, we innovate by nurturing a design thinking mindset and leading with empathy. Through collaboration and relevant learning experiences, learners develop agency, creative confidence, and the courage to persist through challenges to contribute meaningfully in a changing world.

What Makes Design39Campus Unique

  • Redesigning Education: We "change the way we DO school."
  • Strong Educational Foundation: The "Common Core (and NGSS) is the floor" and foundation for Learning Experiences.
  • Integrated Learning: We develop better Learning Experiences through the purposeful integration of content.
  • Guaranteed High-Level STEM Curriculum:
    • K–5: PLTW Launch program
    • Grades 6–8: PLTW Gateway to Technology program
  • Collaborative Culture: Regular staff collaboration leads to:
    • High-level, integrated learning experiences
    • Increased communication
    • Deeper understanding of what happens across different grades
    • Better overall learning outcomes
  • Data-Driven Innovation: We innovate and iterate as needed based on data.
  • The Design Process in Action:
    • Improving through data collection, reflection, and iteration, enforcing our role as research-based practitioners
    • Developing empathy for end-users
  • Community & Strengths: We honor and utilize each other's "superpowers" and learn from one another.
  • Learners First: The "Chair" gets the best of each of us.
  • Flexible Learning Spaces: Purposeful use of indoor and outdoor spaces, flexible by design (e.g., rolling tables, mobile teacher carts, multi-use furniture).
  • Purpose-Driven Homework: Homework is meaningful and an outgrowth of what is happening in class.
  • Learner Agency: Students develop a love of learning that is personally meaningful to them.

Our Goal: We do all of the above so that what we build is sustainable and replicable by others.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES AT DESIGN39CAMPUS


Guiding Principles

COLLABORATION is a core part of learning and community life. Collaboration is explicitly taught and practiced in the classroom and through purposeful learning experiences, helping students develop strong interpersonal skills and confidence in contributing ideas. Learning spaces are intentionally designed with flexible and open environments that encourage teamwork, shared problem-solving, and active dialogue. Students engage in cross-age experiences, which build leadership, empathy, and communication skills. Staff also collaborate closely through professional learning time, family partnerships, and community engagement, ensuring consistent support for learners. Collaboration is a lived experience that strengthens learning, relationships, and the overall educational ecosystem at Design39Campus. 

LEARNER AGENCY emphasizes student ownership, voice, choice, and responsibility in learning. Staff balance structure and content with autonomy and choice to help learners develop academic confidence and self-advocacy. Students are expected to own their learning by making connections, reflecting, and sharing their progress. By developing problem-solving and executive functioning skills, Design39Campus empowers learners to become capable, engaged, and self-directed individuals prepared for academic, social, and real-world challenges.

RELEVANT LEARNING is a cornerstone of learning at Design39Campus, grounded in connecting learning to students’ identities, cultures, and real-world experiences. Learning experiences are intentionally designed to foster both personal connection and exposure to broader perspectives. Learning is integrated and rooted in authentic contexts, helping students understand the purpose and impact of what they learn. Through units of study, projects, and community exhibitions, students engage in meaningful problem-solving and innovation. Standards and curriculum serve as the foundation rather than the ceiling. These experiences are continually revisited and refined based on learners, evolving needs, and emerging contexts, ensuring learning remains current and responsive. Together, these practices ensure learning is purposeful, engaging, and lasting, supporting students as lifelong learners.

COURAGE is rooted in a growth mindset that values effort, challenge, and learning from mistakes. Students are encouraged to take risks, embrace uncertainty, and view setbacks as opportunities to grow within a shared, supportive community. Psychological safety, intentional design, and expert modeling create an environment where learners feel safe to be vulnerable, reflect, and persist through challenges. Courage is practiced daily through leadership roles, student voice, and opportunities to share learning. These experiences build confidence, resilience, and a culture where challenge is embraced and learning is deeply human.

CREATIVE CONFIDENCE is built on the belief that all learners are capable of creativity and innovation. Students are empowered to explore ideas, take risks, and express understanding in ways that reflect their interests and strengths. Specific opportunities for students to practice creative confidence are offered through additional class options across TK through 8th grade. Staff model creativity by embracing ambiguity and risk-taking, encouraging learners to see mistakes as part of growth. Cultivating creative confidence, as both a mindset and a skill set, prepares students to think originally, persist through challenges, and contribute meaningfully in a changing world.