About Us
We began as a program for at-risk youth,
but we have grown to so much more.
Founded in 2008, through the LaFayette Central School District, LaFayette Big Picture began as a small program of 15 excited over-aged, under-credited and at-risk high school freshmen. The school was originally housed in a wing of Grimshaw Elementary School. With a focus on personalization, LaFayette Big Picture involved students and families in decision-making around learning, implemented Learning Plans with all students, and began a powerful internship program. All of this work continues today.
As part of the Big Picture Learning network of schools and the Coalition of Essential Schools, LaFayette Big Picture is on the cutting-edge of innovative small schools, receiving the Ted Sizer award in 2011, and presenting locally and nationally at small school conferences. Over the course of four years, the school has grown to its full compliment of 60 students. LaFayette Big Picture’s students choose the school, often for its unique student-centered curriculum, its small family-like environment, and for its internship program. Almost half of LaFayette Big Picture’s students come from the Onondaga Nation.
Though the school began as a program for at-risk youth, today, students of all backgrounds are drawn to the school for its distinctive culture and programming. The first class of students from LaFayette Big Picture graduated in the 2011-2012 school year. 87% of students who enrolled as freshmen graduated on time. Of this first cohort, 70% went on to attend college—quite a feat for student who were not on-track to graduate high school when they came on board.
The school continues this mission, constantly finding new ways to connect with students, to push them toward quality work that they are passionate about. Each student is part of a small advisory of no more than 15 students, who work closely together, build solid relationships and support each other through to graduation. Each advisory is led by one advisor, who knows students well, guiding their learning through learning plans, internships and project work.
Students exhibit their learning in quarterly presentations of learning, for panels of peers, family and community members, where their work is critiqued using real-world standards. LaFayette Big Picture has built a strong post-secondary network in the region. Graduates have gone on to attend: SUNY Fredonia, Cayuga County College, Onondaga Community College, Morrisville State College, Syracuse University and Genesee Community College. Since the Spring of 2012, the school has been able to offer dual enrollment for current students, and each semester LaFayette Big Picture students attend classes at Morrisville State College, gaining college credit as they work toward their high school diplomas.
As part of the Big Picture Learning network of schools and the Coalition of Essential Schools, LaFayette Big Picture is on the cutting-edge of innovative small schools, receiving the Ted Sizer award in 2011, and presenting locally and nationally at small school conferences. Over the course of four years, the school has grown to its full compliment of 60 students. LaFayette Big Picture’s students choose the school, often for its unique student-centered curriculum, its small family-like environment, and for its internship program. Almost half of LaFayette Big Picture’s students come from the Onondaga Nation.
Though the school began as a program for at-risk youth, today, students of all backgrounds are drawn to the school for its distinctive culture and programming. The first class of students from LaFayette Big Picture graduated in the 2011-2012 school year. 87% of students who enrolled as freshmen graduated on time. Of this first cohort, 70% went on to attend college—quite a feat for student who were not on-track to graduate high school when they came on board.
The school continues this mission, constantly finding new ways to connect with students, to push them toward quality work that they are passionate about. Each student is part of a small advisory of no more than 15 students, who work closely together, build solid relationships and support each other through to graduation. Each advisory is led by one advisor, who knows students well, guiding their learning through learning plans, internships and project work.
Students exhibit their learning in quarterly presentations of learning, for panels of peers, family and community members, where their work is critiqued using real-world standards. LaFayette Big Picture has built a strong post-secondary network in the region. Graduates have gone on to attend: SUNY Fredonia, Cayuga County College, Onondaga Community College, Morrisville State College, Syracuse University and Genesee Community College. Since the Spring of 2012, the school has been able to offer dual enrollment for current students, and each semester LaFayette Big Picture students attend classes at Morrisville State College, gaining college credit as they work toward their high school diplomas.