CVSD Community-Based Design Journey
We are building a shared understanding and direction for student and adult experiences across CVSD
Champlain Valley School District is on a district-wide design journey to become a community-based design district. Through this work and based on an understanding of and direction for student engagement that is co-created by students and adults, we seek to build engaging and innovative learning experiences for all CVSD students.
This is what it means for our system—and our community—to be engaged in this process.
Defining CVSD
Who We Are & Why We Are Engaged in This Work?
The one word that defines the Champlain Valley School District (CVSD) is the same word that charts our path forward: connection. Our work begins with the deep relationships we build with and among our students, and it continues in the connections we strive to forge across classrooms, schools, and communities.
CVSD is a supervisory district formed under Vermont’s Act 46, bringing together the five towns of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George, and Williston under one unified system. Today, a single 12-member school board oversees six schools—Champlain Valley Union High School, three preK–8 schools, one preK–2 school, and one 3–8 school—serving students across both rural and suburban settings.
While Champlain Valley Union High School was established in the 1960s as a regional school that united our towns, our preK–8 systems only merged in 2017. The promise of that consolidation—greater consistency and coherence in our practices—was real, but its progress was interrupted by the global pandemic in 2020.
A Case for Change
Having developed stronger shared structures and a clearer sense of collective purpose, CVSD stands ready to fulfill the promise of unification: To create a connected, equitable, and innovative learning experience for every student across our district.
Our Case for Change is an evolving vision and call for action that will grow as we learn from our community and craft with our future design team.
What is a District-Wide Design Journey?
A community-based design district seeks to reenvision education and build a true school system rather than a system of schools by integrating a collaborative approach to improve learning environments. Listening to and learning from students, educators, administrators, and caregivers lies at the core of the community-based design process.
Phases of Community Based Design
To build engaging and innovative learning experiences for all students, CVSD is working to co-create district-wide and school-specific action plans that establish a shared understanding of and direction for student engagement. This iterative design process involves deep community input, action planning, and more.
Who Is Driving This Work?
Guiding Documents
Our Portrait of a Graduate articulates the community’s aspirations for every learner to become a:
- Clear and Effective Communicator
- Creative and Practical Problem Solver
- Informed and Integrative Thinker
- Self-Directed Learner
- Responsible and Involved Citizen
CVSD's ICPD (Identity, Connection, Proficiency, Direction) Framework guides the lens through which we map and maximize student story and engagement to:
- Honor Identity
- Forge Connection
- Build Proficiency
- Inspire Direction
CVSD's 10 Guiding Principles demonstrate our district's commitment to student story, authentic relationships, active participation, high expectations, struggle as part of learning, the ever-changing needs of learners, the importance of reflection and evidence, and the need to create spaces that represent, value and celebrate all learners.
In Partnership with Transcend
CVSD is engaged in this work with support from Transcend, a national nonprofit that focuses on innovative solutions to school design.
Transcend is a known and trusted partner of CVSD, having collaborated with Hinesburg Community School to improve learning environments, enhance teacher professional development, and reenvision how math is taught.