Designing the Future: Enhancing Student Agency at Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design
Gill Cornell • Cahn Fellow 2023
Imagine students driving their own learning—engaged, asking questions, and exploring ideas. That’s student agency. At Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design (WHSAD), we’ve seen this agency thrive in our Architecture and Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes, where hands-on, project-based learning empowers students to take charge of their education. However, we observed a significant gap: while student agency flourished in these specialized programs, it lagged in core academic subjects such as Math, Science, English, and Social Studies.
This realization led us to launch Designing the Future: Enhancing Student Agency at Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design—an initiative designed to bridge this gap by extending the principles of student agency across all areas of our curriculum. We knew that fostering this shift required more than just new teaching methods; it demanded a foundation of trust and shared purpose within our school community. Trust, we recognized, is the key to aligning our vision, mission, and goals, enabling us to cultivate a culture where student agency is at the heart of every classroom.
To achieve this, WHSAD leadership strategically recruited lead teachers who shared our vision and commitment to transforming core content classes. Together, we implemented project-based learning and teacher-led inquiry across these subjects, encouraging students to actively participate in their learning by making choices, setting goals, and reflecting on their progress. This ongoing and evolving process has involved extensive professional development, collaborative planning, and the integration of real-world applications tailored to core content areas.
The effect of this initiative has been profound. By nurturing a school culture rooted in trust and collaboration, we have seen a significant increase in student engagement, academic performance, and overall school culture in core subjects. Our empowered students are not only meeting expectations—they also are exceeding them, advancing with college and career readiness and graduating very well prepared for their futures. Yet we recognize that our work is ongoing. Sustaining this momentum will require continuous reflection, adaptation, and a steadfast commitment to our shared goals.
Designing the Future is not just about improving educational outcomes; it is about creating a community where all students are empowered to take ownership of their learning. As we continue this journey, we are committed to fostering an educational environment at WHSAD where trust, shared purpose, and student empowerment guide our path forward, ensuring that every student can reach new heights and succeed in an ever-changing world.
