The U.S. schools were selected from Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington. They have demonstrated student success and are great showcases for how one-to-one computing, rethinking curriculum design, bringing innovation to scale for a district, and creating a climate for technological advancement through professional development can improve learning environments to make a real impact on transforming education.


"These U.S. schools and districts are inspiring examples of how school leaders can push boundaries and drive real change by captivating students' interest in learning through creative teaching with technology," said Byron V. Garrett, U.S. Innovative Schools program director, Microsoft. "We know technology alone does not improve student outcomes, but schools with dynamic staff like these are models for why we need to scale more broadly. They show others how to undergo systematic change and increase teacher professional development to make a difference for students."


The Microsoft Innovative Schools program is an educational program that is part of the Microsoft Partners in Learning Program, a ten-year, nearly $500 million commitment to help transform education systems around the world by connecting teachers and school leaders in a community of professional development.


The Innovative Schools program helps school leaders transform their school communities into environments that foster innovative teaching practices and 21st-century learning by providing the tools and resources needed for greater impact on educational transformation and student preparation. Through the program, school leaders become part of a global learning community and get access to expert advice and mentoring. A key component of the program is for each school leader to build sharable assets and create tools for other schools to leverage.


First-Year Participants


Microsoft Innovative Pathfinder and Mentor Schools are making the most of these benefits provided to them and are selected through a rigorous application process that includes written and video documentation. Pathfinder Schools have demonstrated a record of innovation that has transformed education and improved student outcomes in their education systems and local communities.


"I am enthusiastic about our designation as a Microsoft Innovative Pathfinder district because this designation will facilitate our sharing and reflecting on best practices with other innovative districts. This type of interaction leads to professional learning and ultimately to improved student achievement," said Eric Williams, Ed. D., superintendent, York County School District.


"As the third-largest school district in the country, Chicago is committed to providing every student with the opportunity to succeed in a global economy," said the city's mayor, Rahm Emanuel. "It's innovative collaborations like this one with Microsoft that allow us to give parents a variety of options for a quality education that is best for their children."

Mentoring for Success

Microsoft Innovative Mentor Schools go a step further to share best practices with Pathfinder Schools, help them develop a vision, and help them implement a plan to transform the way their schools operate.

"McGlone Elementary's participation in the Innovative Schools program has helped us increase student achievement by learning how to integrate new technology like netbooks, online learning environments, Promethean Boards, learner-response systems, and innovative teaching practices such as letting students choose how they demonstrate their learning (videos, podcasts, Prezi, etc.), assigning and turning in work online, and collaborating with international students via videoconferencing and blogging," said Daniel Sharpe, instructional technology leader, McGlone Elementary, Denver.

"Partners in Learning allows both teachers and our students to collaborate with international schools to share knowledge and best practices. This year, as a Mentor School, we look to continue this wonderful program by coaching international schools to help them reach their potential in innovative teaching, technology, and ultimately preparing students for the future."

The Innovative Schools Program is open to any primary or secondary school worldwide that has a focus on creating a culture of innovation that advances the use of Microsoft technology in the learning process, as well as enabling students to develop 21st-century skills.