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As a way to decompress after a day of developing curriculum and managing budgets, HGTV is my relaxation go-to. Between the drama of unexpected challenges and jaw-dropping final reveals, you can’t help but be in awe of the Property Brothers or the Napiers of “Home Town.” It’s the same way I felt as a child, watching my dad, a plumber and contractor, rehab an outdated and dysfunctional house into a welcoming and inviting home.
My long-time renovation obsession set my mind spinning as our district set out on creating equitable and inclusive learning environments and personalized learning rollouts. What if we approached education initiatives the same way my father started a home renovation project? To go from room to room to uncover structural issues and recommend life-enhancing upgrades? Could HGTV’s “Beachfront Bargain Hunt: Renovation” evolve from a guilty pleasure into a blueprint for reimagining our schools as impactful, student-centered learning environments?
At a time when schools can be limited by obsolete teaching methods, inequitable policies, and uninspiring school cultures, we should aspire to rehab the features of an antiquated education system. And in some cases, we should demolish them and rebuild from the ground up.
The core connection: Transformation
During the pandemic, school leaders had the opportunity to completely restructure outdated teaching and learning practices. Unfortunately, for some districts, that transformative overhaul was more on par with installing new light fixtures or replacing a few pipes. Many schools look the same as they did five years ago, just with a new coat of paint.
With states changing graduation requirements, including here in New York state, and setting mandates for education reform, districts have no choice but to renovate. Transformational school leaders must see the potential in a broken system and rally their crew around a shared vision to inspire, uplift, and empower every student.
The process: Assessment, design, and execution
The home renovation process offers a surprisingly apt metaphor for rethinking classroom instruction and district policies. By drawing parallels between the two, we can follow a proven system to incorporate innovative strategies that meet 21st-century needs.
When Gananda Central School District launched a new initiative aimed at creating more equitable and inclusive learning environments for students, the renovation project was huge. In conducting instructional audits and policy assessments, we found significant gaps in engagement, equity, and outcomes. Like HGTV homeowners, we brought on a contractor–in this case, an outside consultant–who could help our committee of teachers, support staff, and board members co-design solutions and develop a plan to construct a more inclusive and supportive environment. Our stakeholders felt confident in the execution, knowing we had the expertise and set goals to move our project forward.
Personalization: Meeting unique needs
What makes HGTV so captivating to viewers is its approach to customization. Every renovation project is designed to reflect the homeowners’ preferences and lifestyles. Similarly, successful education renovation must prioritize students’ individual needs, creating functional learning environments that feel deeply personal.
For some schools, tailoring student learning may require simple upgrades that add that “wow” factor for students, such as personalized digital learning tools or the new hydraulic desks we installed in the Granada Central School District at our students’ request. In other cases, personalization is a much bigger undertaking. Just as HGTV renovators might knock down walls to create open-concept living spaces, educators break down traditional barriers to learning by adopting interdisciplinary approaches, flexible schedules, or multiple learning pathways.
Budget creativity: Doing more with less
If you’ve ever watched “Love It or List It,” you know that a half-hour in, a surprise problem will pop up, demolishing an already tight budget. By the time we’re back from commercial break, however, the designers have already found a creative, cost-effective solution to keep the vision in check.
In education, stretching every dollar may involve equity-focused funding models, grant writing, or leveraging community partnerships. For example, initiatives like community schools team districts up with local organizations to provide wraparound services, from after-school programs to mental health support. Investing in high-quality, impactful solutions that improve the foundation of social, emotional, and academic learning without cutting corners prevents teachers from having to make quick fixes down the road.
The big reveal: Showcasing impact
HGTV’s signature moment is the “big reveal,” when homeowners see their transformed space for the first time. This storytelling–the challenges, the triumphs, the before-and-after comparisons–draws viewers in and inspires action.
Imagine if districts took an “Extreme Makeover” approach to celebrate progress and showcase successes. Instead of focusing on tangible outcomes of change, such as higher test scores or reduced drop-out rates, we can invite our students to share their experiences in the local media. Or, invite the public on a tour to see our new teaching practices first-hand. Sharing these renovation stories builds momentum and powers broader system change.
Learning from HGTV’s engagement model: A call to action
By applying the principles of HGTV’s approach to renovation–assessment, collaboration, personalization, creativity, and storytelling–we can reimagine classrooms and districts as spaces of possibility and innovation. Education renovation isn’t just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about creating systems that truly work for all learners.
The time is now for educators to pick up the blueprints, gather the tools, and get to work on building an education system as inspiring and functional as the dream homes we admire on HGTV.