Turning Families into Learning Partners at Exhibition Night
Across Da Vinci schools, Exhibition Nights are a powerful opportunity for students to share their learning with the broader community—bringing together academic content, real-world skills, and student voice. Just as important as what students present, however, is how families engage in the experience.
At a recent Exhibition Night at Da Vinci Design, a new approach helped reimagine what meaningful family participation can look like—offering a model that can resonate across our entire community.
For many families, especially those newer to project-based learning, it’s not always clear how to move beyond simply viewing student work. This year, staff focused on helping families step into a more active role as partners in the learning process.
As families arrived, they were welcomed with a clear overview of the project themes and learning goals. With this shared understanding, they were better prepared to engage in meaningful conversations with students.
Parents and caregivers were also invited to a brief introduction—offered in both English and Spanish—on how to ask questions that deepen student thinking. The focus was on metacognition, or reflecting on one’s own learning, a skill that supports long-term growth across all grade levels and subject areas.
Families were encouraged to ask students questions such as:
- What do you know now about the topic that you didn't know before?
- What did you learn about yourself through this project?
- What was most interesting or challenging for you about this project?
These simple prompts helped shift conversations from “What did you do?” to “How did you grow?”
It was a proud moment for families to see their own student’s work. By engaging with other students, they gained a deeper understanding of learning across grade levels while building connections within the broader school community. The event felt truly intergenerational, with participants ranging from parents and siblings to grandparents.
Families shared how meaningful it was to interact with so many students, noting their engagement, commitment, and the passion with which they spoke about their learning. Many remarked on how refreshing it was to hear students express their thinking so clearly and thoughtfully.
Da Vinci parents shared:
"I learned so much from the students!"
"These questions really helped me dig a little deeper with the students."
"I'm so proud. The students have such great ideas and are so well-prepared. I learned a lot about the topic."
To further encourage connection, families participated in an interactive, “bingo-style” activity that prompted them to engage with multiple students and projects. The result was an evening filled with curiosity, conversation, and shared learning across the community.
The impact extended beyond a single event. Families expressed how meaningful it was to hear students speak with confidence and depth about their learning. They also valued the opportunity to connect with a range of students, gaining a broader perspective on the learning experience.
Most importantly, students rose to the occasion. With an engaged audience, they strengthened their communication skills, reflected more deeply on their work, and developed a stronger sense of ownership over their learning.
With just a bit of guidance, families became active partners in the educational process—supporting not only what students learn, but how they understand themselves as learners.
As Da Vinci continues to strengthen school-home partnerships, this approach highlights a simple but powerful idea: when families are equipped to engage meaningfully, everyone benefits.
This parent education experience was facilitated by DVD school counselor Nicole Tafoya and parenting coach Magdalena García.
