Mission

The LLN brings together a group of diverse-by-design schools that are committed to providing unique and dynamic learning experiences for all students, including those historically underserved, while empowering teachers, leaders and community members as stewards of excellent schools that support the success of DPS as a collective.

 
 

Vision

By leveraging flexibility and the power of self-designed collaboration, the LLN will be a national proof-point for school-based decision making, differentiation in school support models, and excellent and equitable outcomes for students.

Theory of Action

If schools are empowered to partner with families, caregivers and the community in order to develop a vision for schooling that responds to the specific needs of their students AND

If schools are provided genuine flexibility to creatively, nimbly, and collaboratively actualize that vision AND

If schools are supported and overseen by an independent governance structure that holds schools accountable to both their articulated vision and to DPS priorities;

Then, schools will be able to:

  • develop in students a lifelong love for learning;

  • demonstrate a deep and specific commitment to equity, especially in service of student groups that have been underserved by historically oppressive systems;

  • leverage resources strategically to support teacher growth and the school’s ability to pursue its articulated vision;

  • innovate on existing classroom practices and share lessons learned from those innovations;

And, in turn, achieve tangible academic and social-emotional success for all students.

Collective School Values

LLN schools are grounded in six key, shared values. Each school commits to modeling these values in unique ways that respond to the needs of their specific communities.

Equity: We dismantle oppressive systems that have resulted in inequitable access to opportunities and resources for our students, and in turn, build an inclusive and asset-minded system in which all students and staff members - especially those of color, are successful because they are known and celebrated.

Collaboration: Our schools are stronger together. We facilitate cross-school learning and communication structures for our educators and leaders to support one another and grow in service of our students.

Distributed Leadership: Decision-making at our schools is shared. Staff and community members are engaged in shaping the educational experience of students in our buildings. Empowering those closest to the students will enable program and leadership continuity.

Highly Effective Instruction and Student Support: Our schools cultivate and offer highly effective and responsive instruction in support of specific student needs. We offer robust training and development that allows teachers and support staff to grow in their craft and deliver tangible improvements in student outcomes, inclusive of academic growth and social-emotional wellness.

Community Partnership: Our schools are designed in collaboration with families and caregivers in response to the needs of our students. This approach will ensure that school goals are tied to the values of our communities.

Flexible Resourcing: Our schools are nimble in hiring and allocating staff such that the specific needs of students are supported. Strategic external partnerships will strengthen our teams in support of our communities.