Eagle Rock in Black and White

At Eagle Rock, we believe in a daring, inclusive, and tenacious approach to education—one where every student’s voice is not only heard but celebrated as a cornerstone of the learning experience. Our commitment to building a truly supportive, community-centered school environment has garnered attention from educational leaders and experts across the country. In fact, our school’s transformative model has been highlighted in multiple published works—some entire books and others influential chapters—all praising our innovative and student-driven approach to high school education.

Below, we’re excited to share a list of these celebrated publications, featuring both the voices of educators and students who’ve experienced Eagle Rock firsthand. Whether it’s through a deep dive into our curriculum or a brief mention of our impactful work, each of these resources provides a window into how the world views the extraordinary ways we engage, empower, and support our learners.

Books Fully Featuring Eagle Rock:

The Other Side of Curriculum — Lessons from Learners by Lois Easton (Heinemann, December 2001)
In this powerful work, Lois Easton takes us inside Eagle Rock, where our learners are the heart of everything we do. The book examines how a responsive curriculum can meet the needs of all students, particularly through learner-centered, competency-based, and self-directed approaches. Each chapter opens with a compelling story from Eagle Rock that highlights key educational concepts and encourages educators to reflect on how they can adapt these practices to their own settings. It’s a profound exploration of how curriculum can be dynamic, relevant, and deeply attuned to the diverse voices of the students it serves.

Engaging the Disengaged — How Schools Can Help Struggling Students Succeed by Lois Easton (Corwin, October 2007)
This follow-up book dives into the critical work of re-engaging students at risk of failure or disengagement, with Eagle Rock at its core. Easton shares insights on how schools can cultivate a supportive climate for all learners, including those with learning challenges or from underserved communities. Through real-world strategies, this book challenges educators to rethink how they build relationships with students and create learning environments where every individual can thrive.

Chapters Featuring Eagle Rock:

10 Great Curricula: Lived Conversations of Progressive, Democratic Curricula in School and Society
Edited by Thomas S. Poetter (Information Age Publishers, 2012)
In this collection, Amy Fisher Young tells the story of Eagle Rock’s unique curriculum through the chapter titled Eagle Rock School: A “Mis-Equation” for Greatness. She reflects on how our 8+5=10 approach isn’t just about numbers; it’s about creating a space where curriculum is flexible, innovative, and responsive to the needs of students, fostering deep learning and personal transformation.

Learning from the Student’s Perspective: A Sourcebook for Effective Teaching by Alison Cook-Sather and colleagues (Paradigm Publishers, 2010)
This groundbreaking book gives center stage to student voices. One chapter, A Schoolwide Model for Student Voice in Curriculum Development and Teacher Preparation, highlights how Eagle Rock engages students as co-creators of their learning experiences. This approach empowers students to influence curriculum and classroom culture, ensuring their perspectives shape the very structure of their education.

Powerful Designs for Professional Learning, 3rd Edition (3rd Edition) Edited by Lois Easton (Learning Forward, 2015)
This collection of 24 innovative learning designs for educators includes a chapter by our own Michael Soguero and Dan Condon, alongside other educational leaders. The chapter explores how Eagle Rock's approach to professional development supports educators in fostering environments that are inclusive, responsive, and student-focused—essential ingredients in the ongoing work to challenge the status quo and promote transformative learning.

National Society for the Study of Education 2014 Yearbook Edited by David J. Shernoff and Janine Bempechat (Teachers College Columbia University, 2014)
In this volume, Eagle Rock’s impact on student engagement is showcased in the chapter Engaging the Disengaged – How One School Re-Engages Students in Learning. Through compelling examples from our school, the authors explore how engagement—when rooted in genuine relationships and meaningful learning experiences—can lead to profound academic, social, and emotional growth for all students.

Books Mentioning Eagle Rock:

Everyone Leads, Building Leadership From The Community Up by Paul Schmitz
Eagle Rock is highlighted on pages 225 & 226.
In this inspiring book, Paul Schmitz shares the power of leadership from the grassroots up, with Eagle Rock as a shining example of how inclusive, community-driven leadership can create lasting change. Schmitz emphasizes how our school has influenced his understanding of leadership as a collective, not individual, pursuit.

Small Schools, Big Ideas: The Essential Guide to Successful School Transformation
By Mara Benitez, Jill Davidson, and Laura Flaxman (Jossey-Bass, November 2009)
This guide, which focuses on transforming schools into personalized, student-centered learning environments, features Eagle Rock as a model school. Our work as a Mentor School in the Coalition of Essential Schools network highlights our commitment to peer-to-peer mentoring and student-driven learning as essential elements of school reform.

Make Just One Change: Teach students to ask their own questions
By Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana (Harvard Education Press, 2011)
On page 108, Eagle Rock is mentioned in the context of empowering students to ask their own questions as a critical part of their learning. This technique, which is central to our philosophy, nurtures students’ curiosity and ownership over their educational journeys.

Professional Learning Communities by Design – Putting the Learning Back into PLCs
By Lois E. Brown Easton (Corwin, 2011)
In this book, Lois Easton provides a case study of how professional learning communities (PLCs) can foster deep collaboration and growth among educators. Eagle Rock is featured as an exemplary model of how PLCs can support and sustain effective teaching practices that benefit all students.

The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education
By Tom Vander Ark, Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennen (ASCD, 2020)
Eagle Rock is featured on page 91, as the book explores the importance of connecting students to their local environments and communities through place-based education. Our approach highlights how such learning not only deepens academic engagement but also fosters a sense of belonging, relevance, and agency.

Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center continues to inspire and challenge the educational landscape. Through the pages of these books, our model of education—a daring, inclusive, and tenacious pursuit of student success—serves as a beacon for educators and communities everywhere. If you’re curious to explore how Eagle Rock’s vision is transforming the way we think about learning, we encourage you to dive into these works and discover for yourself the powerful stories, strategies, and lessons that define our school.  Click on any of the titles above to learn more or to add them to your personal library!