Redefining the Middle School and High School Experience by Gia Biaggi, the founder of the Magnolia Project
Gia Biaggi of the Magnolia Project was our speaker for August 28, 2025. Gia is the founder of the Magnolia Project, a program that partners with schools in Sonoma and Marin Counties to include hands-on career exploration and apprenticeship pathways into the school day. Gia has a bachelor’s degree in international studies, a master’s degree in education, and a CTE (career technical education) credential. She is a former teacher and administrator.
Gia outlined some of the key problems in current middle and high school education that led her to start the Magnolia Project: an upsurge in absenteeism since the pandemic and the lack of direction many students feel when entering the junior and senior levels of high school. Since the pandemic, 30% of students are considered chronically absent! Prior to the pandemic, that number was 13%. 75% of high school juniors do not feel ready to make decisions about career and college. Schools and teachers are busy teaching traditional subjects and unable to significantly help students with their post-high school education and career choices. The Magnolia Project was created to give students ways to evaluate their potential choices and start learning how to embark on many careers.
The Magnolia model has 3 stages: pre-workforce skill building, including the identification of a student’s strengths and goals; an immersive experience in a particular career; and post-work reflection and next phase planning. Each of these stages takes place under the auspices of an English class and monitored by a teacher. The program is consistent with common core English programs. The first stage is an on-campus experience for 7th to 10th grade students and allows each student to explore a variety of programs, including culinary, fashion, law, health, entrepreneurship, and many others. The immersive experience is for 11th-12 grade students and is similar to a 1-2 week apprenticeship program where the student works in with industry mentors to identify interests and develop skills in the industry chosen by the student.
Studies show that the Magnolia Project’s programs are working. Engagement of participating students has improved from 30% to 75%. 95% of students in focus groups believe that they are learning something valuable and support the expansion of the program. The project has received $1.4 million in financial support from large Bay Area educational philanthropies! And, the Magnolia Project is now working in 19 schools in Sonoma and Marin Counties!
Our thanks to Gia Biaggi for her excellent presentation and for working so hard to develop a program aimed solely at helping students identify and take first steps in career pathways.
Click HERE to view a limited time recording of Gia's presentation.
