Heather Pilgrim, Ed.S.

Intentional Design for Student Success was founded on a simple belief:
Student success is not accidental. It is designed.

Led by Heather Pilgrim, Superintendent of Oak Valley Union School District, she works with school districts and educational leaders to design programs that are coherent, sustainable, and grounded in real student outcomes. With deep experience in K–12 systems, career-connected learning, and program development, Heather brings a practitioner’s lens to every engagement.

At the core of the work is educational programming by design — a strategic approach that ensures instructional programs, pathways, and initiatives are intentionally aligned from vision to implementation. Rather than layering initiatives on top of existing systems, Intentional Design for Student Success helps districts build clear, connected programs that support students academically, socially, and beyond graduation.

We specialize in:

• Strategic program design and alignment

• Career-connected and pathway-based learning models

• Innovative and hands-on learning opportunities for students

• Systems-level planning that supports long-term sustainability

• Analyzing budget and grant options

• Translating district vision into actionable, student-centered programs

This work is collaborative, thoughtful, and grounded in the realities of schools. By centering intentionality, clarity, and equity, Intentional Design for Student Success helps districts move from fragmented efforts to purposeful programs, ensuring every student has access to well-designed opportunities for success.