Deep Learning at TAS: Parents Explore Rigor, Purpose, and Student Growth

The Tech Cube buzzed with conversation as more than 50 parents came together for the second event in a year-long parent series hosted by Head of School Mr. David Frankenberg. For this session, he was joined by K–12 Tech Cube Director Matt Fagen. The Tech Cube is a purpose-built space, designed to help students discover and nurture passions beyond textbooks. It provided the perfect backdrop for a community conversation on Deep Learning at TAS.  

Mr. Frankenberg set the tone by reframing the idea of academic rigor. “Learning has to be impactful, active, and iterative — connected to the real world, applied in meaningful ways, and refined over time,” he explained. “When students are intrinsically motivated and see relevance, they work harder and go deeper.”  

Parents responded with thoughtful reflections. One noted that rigor is “a journey, both personal and collective, where resilience is built through challenge.” Another highlighted curiosity as a driver: “If a child enjoys the subject more at the end of the process, that matters just as much as the hard work.”  

Matt Fagen brought the concept of deep learning to life with examples from the Tech Cube. “When students take ownership of projects, their passion pushes them to work harder and go deeper than any test could,” he said. He described middle school engineers building massive machines to move a safe across a classroom and high school students pushing past AP-level work to explore machine learning, quantum computing, and robotics. Alumni stories, including that of Sharon Kuo ’19, who is now at SpaceX designing thermal systems for the International Space Station, underscore the long-term impact of these opportunities.  

The discussion is tied closely to TAS’s Schoolwide Learning Outcomes, which call for students to graduate as critical and creative thinkers, collaborative communicators, self-directed learners, well-balanced individuals, and globally minded contributors. These outcomes serve as the foundation for a TAS education and are integrated throughout academics, arts, athletics, and co-curricular activities.  

At TAS, deep learning is defined as:  

• Impactful – Connected to the real world and personally meaningful  

• Active – Students do something with their learning, not just memorize  

• Iterative – A cycle of reflection, refinement, and growth  

• Interdisciplinary – Learning that bridges subjects and mirrors real-life problem solving  

• Enduring – Skills, values, and knowledge that last far beyond the classroom  

“We share something priceless: our children,” Mr. Frankenberg reminded parents. “Our purpose is to help them become their best selves.”  

For families, the session was not only a window into classroom innovation but also a call to partnership. Parents were encouraged to create space for curiosity at home, celebrate the process of learning rather than only results, and allow children to experience productive struggle. These steps mirror the resilience and growth mindset TAS seeks to cultivate in its students.  

This series of parent gatherings will continue throughout the school year. The next event is scheduled for November, with details available in the Parent Post.