Includes bibliographical references and index.

Because good intentions aren't enough -- Because it's a solvable problem -- Speaking out: make learning real world and project-based -- The fallacy of sink or swim: self-direction -- Max's mentor: reflection -- Leave no Husky behind: collaboration -- The building-blocks: successful habits -- The tutoring bar: curiosity-driven knowledge -- The innovation summit: universal skills -- Life after graduation.

"Diane Tavenner, founder of Summit Public Schools, offers a blueprint for a better way to educate our children, based on the revolutionary lessons, insights, and methodology she and her faculty developed over 15 years at their famously successful charter schools in California and Washington, which she is now introducing to public school systems across the country that Summit is partnering with to transform education and better prepare our children to lead fulfilled and successful lives. Diane Tavenner founded the first Summit charter school in 2003, developing and perfecting a personalized, project-based curriculum that puts students in charge of their own learning. The school developed a learning plan for every student. They engaged the students by appealing to them with interdisciplinary, real-world projects, rather than passively learning and memorizing in a classroom environment. They created mentorship groups, where students would talk through their goals and help each other solve problems, as well as meet one-on-one with their mentor, weekly. By internalizing a sense of purpose, self-direction, self-sufficiency, and collaboration, students learn the cognitive and life skills needed to navigate the next phases of their lives. Virtually 100% of Summit's original 400 students went on to attend four year colleges"-- Provided by publisher.