A Preview of the Upcoming Experiential Site Visit – Week of March 10, 2026

You are invited to join educators and leaders from across the country who will gather in Missouri for an in‑depth look at one of the nation’s most compelling examples of high school transformation. ConnectED’s Experiential Site Visit to North Kansas City Schools offers a rare, firsthand opportunity to see how a large, diverse district has reimagined the high school experience by organizing its campuses into dynamic, career-themed “Schools of” learning communities. [connectedn…tional.org]

A District Ready for Change

Five years ago, NKC Schools embarked on a journey that began with a simple but urgent question:
How do we ensure every student leaves high school with the skills, experiences, and confidence needed to succeed in college, career, and life?

District leaders worked closely with local business partners, educators, and community members to identify the qualities young people need for the future. These conversations—especially with local Northland business leaders—led to the creation of the district’s Portrait of a Graduate, a shared vision of  seven attributes all students should possess before stepping into adult life. [nkcschools.org]

NKC schools recognized that meeting this vision would require a structural shift: high schools where choice and voice lived not only in the menu of options represented by the course catalogue, but in personalized and engaging  ecosystems where all students, in all their classes and pathways, could explore real-world interests, apply knowledge, and make meaningful connections to future career pathways.

Why the “Schools of” Model?

NKC Schools adopted the “Schools of” structure to bring coherence, purpose, and personalization to every student’s high school experience. They transformed their four high schools into career-themed learning communities—each containing smaller, industry-themed “schools of” responsive to both student interest areas and regional workforce needs. [connectedn…tional.org]

These “Schools of” rest on four pillars: :

1. Relevant, Rigorous Academics

Students engage in strong academic coursework integrated with real-world applications, ensuring learning feels meaningful and connected to their long-term goals.

2. Authentic Work-Based Learning

Beginning in 2021, NKC Schools ensured every student has access to guest speakers, client-connected projects, job shadowing, internships, and industry-recognized credentials—so that each graduate leaves with at least one market-value asset. [nkcschools.org]

3. Strong Industry & Community Partnerships

Local business leaders helped shape the design from the earliest stages, aligning learning with actual labor-market expectations.

4. Personalized Supports & Student Voice

The “Schools of” structure allows students to choose pathways that resonate with their strengths and aspirations, fostering higher engagement and ownership of learning.

What Makes NKC Schools a Model Worth Showcasing?

ConnectED is elevating NKC Schools as a fully operational, deeply collaborative approach to college and career pathways that isproducing inspiring results. Over the past several years, NKC has:

  • Built a district-wide system for college and career pathways (or “schools of”).
  • Engaged business, industry, and civic leaders in meaningful, sustained partnerships.
  • Designed experiences that blend academics, technical instruction, and work-based learning.
  • Demonstrated scalable implementation, showing what’s possible in a large district of comprehensive, neighborhood schools [connectedn…tional.org]

Participants at past NKC Experiential Site Visits describe the experience as “amazing,” “inspirational,” and “informative,” noting the pride and professionalism exhibited by students and staff.

What to Expect During the Upcoming Visit

During the week of March 9, 2026, attendees will:

  • Tour all four NKC high schools to see the “schools of” in action.
  • Engage with district leaders about vision, design, and sustainability.
  • Join deep-dive sessions on topics such as work-based learning systems, high-quality pathways, and instructional transformation.
  • Collaborate with peers to reflect and plan next steps for their own districts. [connectedn…tional.org]

To register, click here.  We hope you and your district team can join us!