How do schools thrive in a world defined by uncertainty, accelerating complexity, and the rise of intelligent machines?

In this episode, Jared Colley, Chief Innovation Officer at the Mount Vernon School, shares insights from the latest MV Ventures research report, The Flow of Perpetual Learning. He connects this work to last year's Imagine Then Act Now report and explains why futures literacy, intentional system design, and a culture of continuous learning are essential for independent schools today.

Colley offers a grounded look at how Mount Vernon has structured a dual operating system, one that keeps daily operations strong while the other focuses on strategic foresight, innovation, and long-term design. Listeners gain a practical view of how schools can build the cultural and structural conditions that support inquiry, data-informed decision-making, personalized professional growth, and thoughtful AI integration.

1. Futures literacy equips schools to prepare for multiple scenarios: Scenario planning prepares schools to respond to critical uncertainties like pandemics, polarization, and AI disruption.
2. Six cultural pillars strengthen ongoing learning: The report outlines cultures of common practice, inquiry, learning by doing, communication and partnership, data without blame, and growth and excellence, the foundation for school-wide improvement.
3. Inquiry thrives when psychological safety is the norm: Mount Vernon normalizes classroom observation so it's seen as curiosity rather than judgment, increasing shared learning and authentic data collection.
4. A dual operating system protects strategic thinking: The school separates daily operations from long-term strategy so innovation work isn't overwhelmed by immediate demands.
5. AI integration requires a clear framework: The Five Ps Framework—Position, People, Protection, Practice, and Programs—helps schools understand how AI affects operations and learning while keeping humans at the center.