DMUSD Showcases Innovation on a Global Stage at ASU+GSV Summit

As part of the prestigious ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego — referred to as the  “Davos of Education”— two Del Mar Union School District (DMUSD) schools, Del Mar Heights School and Pacific Sky School, were selected for the Summit’s Innovative School Tours series on April 7. Their inclusion places DMUSD among a highly selective group of schools recognized for pioneering innovation in education.

The tours offered visiting educational leaders and innovators from around the globe a firsthand look at DMUSD’s research-based instructional practices, and intentionally designed student-centered learning environments. Visitors explored how the district’s vision comes to life through environments that promote collaboration, creativity, and deep thinking—and the experience left a lasting impression.

“The sense of community is very evident when you observe students in a learning studio,” remarked one participant. “There is a give and take as everyone contributes and all perspectives are valued.” 

DMUSD’s strategic plan includes transforming learning environments to support a learner’s mindset, student agency, and collaboration. Schools feature outdoor learning spaces, learning commons, learning nooks, and modern learning studio — all designed to promote flexibility, engagement, and ownership of learning. As one guest noted, “Artifacts across the school are indicators of the opportunities for learning and thinking more deeply.” 

During a breakout session on "Creating Cultures of Thinking," Superintendent Dr. Holly McClurg emphasized the power of language in shaping a school’s identity. “Language matters when naming spaces,” she said. “Learning nooks are called learning nooks rather than quiet spaces because they don’t have to always be quiet.” 

That insight resonated with participants. “I connected with the idea of rebranding the names of spaces to make it more powerful and reinforce that all spaces can be areas for learning,” shared one attendee. Another summed up the tour experience simply: “It was like seeing the future of education.” 

With a focus on student-centered learning, high-quality instructional practices, and spaces that spark creativity and deep thinking, DMUSD continues to lead in creating environments where students thrive.