School Study Visits

School Study Visit Overview

ACTE’s School Study Visits offer CTE Directors and Leaders an immersive professional development experience.

School Study Visit participants will:

Visit some of the nation’s most innovative CTE centers
Tour state-of-the-art facilities with institution leaders
Network with other CTE administrators from around the U.S.

For an inside look at a past School Study Visit, read the article “Immersive professional development with ACTE” from the February 2023 issue of Techniques magazine.

Upcoming Visits

ACTE will host multiple school study visits in the coming year. Please check back regularly for updates.

Arts, Entertainment and Design School Study Visit: Exploring Innovative Creative Career Pathways in Los Angeles

January 25-27, 2027

Join ACTE in Los Angeles for a unique School Study Visit highlighting innovative Arts, Entertainment and Design programs that prepare students for careers in film, animation, design and media production. Participants will visit USC Media Arts & Engineering Magnet, where they will learn from Matthew Waynee, the 2026 National ACTE Teacher of the Year, and explore nationally recognized animation and video production pathways that emphasize industry engagement and emerging apprenticeship opportunities. The tour will also feature Da Vinci Schools, a leader in project-based learning and innovative educational design, known for strong industry partnerships and authentic, real-world learning experiences. Through facility tours and discussions with educators, administrators and students, attendees will gain practical ideas for developing, expanding and strengthening creative career pathways in their own communities. This tour is limited to 30 participants.

Registration Information

$1,399.00 for EIMs (individual)

$1,499.00 for ACTE members (individual)

$1,599.00 for non-members (individual)

Group rate for 5+ registrants = 5% up to $1,000 reduction limit

Travel

Hotel

Embassy Suites by Hilton Los Angeles International Airport South
1440 East Imperial Ave. | El Segundo, CA 9024

ACTE will make hotel reservations for all registered attendees with a check in date of January 25 and check out date of January 27. Attendees are welcome to add additional nights to their reservation at their own expense.

Travel

The closest airport for this visit is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

ACTE will provide round transportation to/from the airport and to/from the school sites. Additional information will be sent to registered attendees.

Agenda

Arts, Entertainment & Design School Study Visit Agenda (Updated 9/30/2026)

Event Flyer & Justification Letter Template

Information coming soon!

Academies of Loudoun

March 9-11, 2027

Join ACTE in Loudoun County, Virginia, for a unique School Study Visit highlighting how Loudoun County Public Schools has built an innovative approach to STEM, career and technical education, and workforce development. Participants will visit the Academies of Loudoun, a nationally recognized campus that combines the Academy of Science, Academy of Engineering & Technology, and Monroe Advanced Technical Academy. Attendees will learn about the district’s strategic vision for career, technical and adult education; tour advanced laboratories, makerspaces and technical training facilities; and hear directly from students, educators and administrators about project-based learning, career exploration and program design. The visit will also feature a tour of a leading regional employer and discussions with industry leaders about work-based learning, talent pipeline development and business-education collaboration. Through facility tours, presentations and peer-to-peer discussions, attendees will gain practical ideas for developing, expanding and strengthening STEM and career pathways in their own communities.