print

Explore the School of the Future


Sponsored by Best Buy and e2020

Over the past 20 years, public charter schools have brought public education forward from an outdated industrial model into the 21st century. Now, it is time to try and see what the future holds. Join us on the exhibit hall floor to explore our School of the Future, featuring Carpe Diem’s successful hybrid learning model. Interact virtually with teachers, talk to parents and learn from real students about their experiences at the school.

In the exhibit, you will experience the school from the perspective of a student, a teacher and an administrator.

  • As a student, try out the mini lesson plan and interact with a teacher for feedback on your progress.
  • As a teacher, video conference with a parent and review your students’ progress.
  • As a school leader, review your classes’ progress and use data to help your teachers grow.

The school will be open in exhibit hall E throughout the standard exhibit hall hours. Stop by and explore this exciting, interactive exhibit!



We asked students across the country to submit their thoughts and pictures about what the school of the future will be like. Browse a few of the winning images and essays:


Dayanna Mendoza, Christine Duncan Academy, 2nd Grade. "The school in the future will have an aquarium full of fish. The students will learn how to take care of them. The school will have computerized lights to help the fish see." 


 Laura Jeffrey Academy impacted me by showing me that I can be around others, and be myself - That I’m able to speak with people without being judged on how I look or talk. LJA gave me the confidence to stand up for myself and others. Since I been at LJA I learned how to work with others.  In twenty years, I see myself able to succeed in life without any one holding me back. I’ll be able to push through hard problems and find solutions by myself and with others. I will have self-confidence in who I am and what I do. When I get stuck in the mud, I won’t be scared to ask for help. 

I would become a teacher just for one reason and that’s because the U.S. needs more African-American people to become teachers. Another reason I would be a teacher is to inspire other children. 
Selah Jachin, Laura Jeffrey Academy, 7th Grade.


Raye Miclat, Albuquerque School of Excellence, High School. 


 I came to Laura Jeffrey Academy in December of my 5th grade year. For LJA, it was their second quarter. The school had just opened. I was ready for a change from my old school.

I came to the school being ready for possible rejection. It was a new school, I was a new student, and I had never changed schools before. But I found that I was terribly mistaken. The girls and teachers were helpful and supportive from the day that I got there.
Laura Jeffrey Academy is a STEM focused school, which is an acronym for Science, Technology,Engineering, and Math. We focused on these subjects and learning with all girls helped me feel more open to learn. It also made me consider going into a STEM career, where most girls at other school don’t even consider it at all because of the lack of support and encouragement. Because of this I think that in 20 years, I will be a hardworking, independent, persistent, strong-willed woman doing what I love.

As I got used to the classes and the different teachers, peers, curriculum, and community, I found that I wanted to answer questions, and it was okay to be wrong. I wasn’t as self-conscious to learn. I realized that that was partly because of the all-girl atmosphere. I liked that the teachers could give you more help individually and helping you understand. I liked the community of the school where everybody pretty much knew each other and we were all like a family.

I think that middle school is where you are figuring out who you are and beginning to get serious about school. for me. I felt as if boys were getting in the way of that. Because. I always felt self-conscious in answering questions. I was afraid they wouldn’t like me. Not a good feeling!  I needed a safe space to learn and my charter school did that.

LJa taught me how to think for myself and to strive for greatness. It helped me to take criticism to improve myself and my work. It helped me grow as a person and a student, and taught me to believe in myself. I don't think I will be directly involved in charter schools, but I would like to help out whenever I can.

This year is my last year at LJA and as much as I miss it, I know I will be very prepared for my charter school.
Miranda Kettlewell, Laura Jeffrey Academy, 8th Grade.


J.J. Hernandez, Christine Duncan Academy, 1st Grade. "The schools of the future will have robots for teachers. We will learn using only technology. The swings will be monitored by robots."