This session at SXSW EDU 2025, presented by the Walton Family Foundation, brought together Jamie Jutila, Sarah Navarro, Babak Mostaghimi, and Brooke Stafford-Brizard to discuss the future of high school education.

As the 21st century continued to reshape the world, the conversation emphasized the urgent need for high schools to evolve. Panelists explored how collaborations between educators and edtech innovators, the development of networks of innovative schools, and the expansion of competency-based instruction were transforming the student experience. The session highlighted the countless possibilities for a more relevant and engaging high school education and showcased the efforts of changemakers leading this transformation.

Attendees gained insights into how changemakers were driving targeted efforts to rethink traditional education models, ensuring that high school students—regardless of background—were better prepared for success in college, career, and beyond.