League of Innovative Schools
The Northgate School District has been accepted into the League of Innovative Schools, a national coalition of forward-thinking K-12 school districts committed to improving education with the power of technology.
The initiative is organized by Digital Promise, a nonprofit organization with the mission to accelerate innovation in education and improve the opportunity to learn for all through technology and research.
Northgate was selected from a competitive national pool of applicants based on its educational leadership, innovative vison for learning, key achievements and evidence of results, and demonstrated commitment to equity and excellence.
"We are excited to be a part of this prestigious group and to have the opportunity to partner with some of the most innovative districts in the country,” Superintendent Dr. Caroline Johns said. “I am confident that the opportunity to learn from the other League districts will provide a direct benefit to the students in Northgate and our entire school community."
The League of Innovative Schools, launched at the White House under President Barack Obama within the U.S. Department of Education in 2011, accepts new members through an open application process once per year.
“Now more than ever, the League of Innovative Schools recognizes the impact that equity, access, and opportunity can have on student outcomes,” said Dewayne J. McClary, director of the national coalition. “The League strives to build a collaborative of close-knit districts that work together to eradicate the impact of inequitable practices, outdated instruction and resources, and districts working in silos. Part of our mission is to transform the systems and policies that create barriers for marginalized students.”
League members are represented by their superintendent, who commits to:
● Attend biannual League meetings, which feature classroom visits, collaborative problem-solving, and relationship-building with peers and partners;
● Participate in League cohorts and challenge collaboratives on a broad range of topics relevant to the changing needs and priorities of school districts;
● Support Digital Promise research and provide critical feedback so it translates easily into classroom experiences and expands what we know about teaching and learning;
● Engage with entrepreneurs to advance EdTech product development steeped in the latest learning science and meets district needs; and
● Participate in the League’s professional learning community by connecting with other members online, in person, and at each other’s school districts.
Working at the intersection of education leaders, researchers, and developers, Digital Promise and the League of Innovative Schools provide an environment for superintendents and district leaders to share and learn from best practices; leverage research and participate in continuous improvement models; engage in research and development projects with peers to address education’s biggest challenges; and implement new technologies and innovations in their school systems.
The League network’s reach includes 125 districts across 34 states and expands its cumulative impact to 3.8 million students served over time.
Acceptance into the initiative is the most recent effort for Northgate to accelerate innovation and equity within its classrooms this year. The district launched its “Community as the Classroom” program to build innovative health and science programming for students and teachers. Northgate also was invited to serve as a national demonstration district for the School Superintendents Association’s Learning 2025 initiative, a national commission focused on student-centered, equity-focused education.
For more information on the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, visit: digitalpromise.org/league.