At CAST Schools, we believe social capital shouldn’t be something young people stumble into by accident of birth or zip code. It should be designed — intentionally, equitably, and with young people at the center. That belief is what drove our session at SXSW EDU 2026, Choice Filled Lives: Relationships for Youth Voice and Agency.
The session came to life through the voices of people who live this work every day: Sage Mireles, a student at CAST Lead High School, reminded every person in that room why this work matters — because the young people we’re designing for are already ready to lead, when we give them the space to do it. Jennifer Solis, Accenture partner and CAST Tech parent, brought the perspective of an industry leader who has seen firsthand what intentional relationships between schools and employers can unlock. And Eric Falcon, Student Experience Manager at CAST Schools, grounded the room in practice — introducing the Youth Voice and Agency Guidebook and making the case that when students are treated as co-creators of their learning, not just recipients of it, the entire school experience transforms.
Geography still predicts far too much. Who gets access to rigorous learning, to mentors, to internships, to jobs that pay a living wage is still largely shaped by where a young person grows up. Traditional education focuses on courses, credits, and compliance — and consistently leaves social capital and networks out of the design.
At CAST, we’ve built a model that treats relationships as a core design feature, not an add-on. Our four pillars — authentic learning, relationships, youth voice and agency, and equity — exist because we know that credentials alone aren’t enough. Students also need access to the networks, mentors, and real-world experiences that open doors. Our north star is economic freedom: not just a degree or a job title, but the genuine ability to choose one’s own path.
These four tools are an extension of that belief — and they’re designed to be used right now, in your classroom, your program, or your organization.
The Tools:
Speed Mentoring is the entry point — a structured experience that connects community mentors with students. It’s low lift, high impact, and designed to spark relationships that can grow into something lasting.
📗 Youth Voice and Agency Guidebook
This resource gets at the heart of what makes CAST unique. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory and research from Learnership by James Anderson and The Power of Student Agency by Anindya Kundu, the guidebook gives educators concrete tools to build genuine student autonomy, leadership, and advocacy — inside the classroom and beyond. When students are co-creators of their learning, not just recipients of it, everything changes. This guide shows you how to make that shift.
Built around Lorenzo Gomez’s The Cilantro Diaries and developed by CAST teachers Kendra Mancilla, Selena Casanova, and Kimberly Olivarez, this curriculum helps 10th-grade students explore the value of mentorship, trusted relationships, and social capital. It works as a launchpad for Speed Mentoring events or as a standalone resource woven throughout the year. Flexible by design, it supports social-emotional learning, career readiness, and critical thinking — all at once.
A foundation element of the CAST School experience is project-based learning. Whether you’re new to PBL or have years of experience, this guide is designed to meet you where you are and help you take the next step in transforming your classroom into a hub of curiosity.
Take the Next Step
These tools were built by our team, tested in our schools, and grounded in the belief that every young person deserves a choice-filled life. We’re sharing them because we know this community shares that belief too. Download them, use them, and let us know how they land.
Heriberto “Eddie” Rodriguez
Sr. Partnership Director, CAST Schools