AUGUST 10, 2021 | Washington, D.C. – Nearly 250 Title 1 middle and high schools from 50 districts across the country will join the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program in 2021. The continued partnership between Digital Promise and Verizon Innovative Learning, Verizon’s education initiative, equips students and teachers at select schools with devices and internet access. In addition to technology and broadband, all Verizon Innovative Learning Schools receive access to professional learning and opportunities to collaborate with a national network of innovative, technology-driven school leaders and educators.
As part of Verizon’s commitment to digital inclusion under Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental, and social advancement, the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools initiative has benefitted more than 212,000 students and nearly 14,000 teachers across 265 middle and high schools in 26 states and Washington, D.C. The 246 new schools joining the program in 2021 will bring the total to 511 middle and high schools nationwide.
With the addition of these schools, every eligible middle school in 34 districts is part of the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program, including Atlanta Public Schools, where all 11 eligible middle schools will join the initiative in the 2021-22 school year. Schools with a 65 percent or higher free and reduced-price lunch population are eligible for the program; however, Verizon Innovative Learning Schools are at an average of 82 percent. Moreover, 16 districts will expand their participation in the program in 2021, with additional schools joining others that were part of earlier cohorts.
“Last year showed us how imperative it is that our students have access to technology and the internet—without it, many simply couldn’t attend class or complete their schoolwork,” said Jean-Claude Brizard, president and CEO of Digital Promise. “We are proud to continue our partnership with Verizon to support schools and provide devices and access to the students who need it the most.”
One hundred and one schools will receive a mobile device (either an iPad or Chromebook) with up to a four-year 30GB 4G LTE data plan for every student and teacher, as well as extensive professional development that supports powerful teaching and learning with technology in and out of the classroom. In addition, these schools will receive a subsidy toward a full-time technology coach to support teachers with effectively integrating technology into learning. Over the course of the initiative, students also will have the opportunity to learn about emerging technology such as augmented and virtual reality and 3D design.
Moreover, 145 schools with existing one-to-one device programs for students will receive hotspots with two-year 30GB 4G LTE data plans for students who lack reliable internet access at home. In addition, the program will provide these schools with on-demand professional learning opportunities, IT implementation support, and a stipend for an instructional liaison to support teachers.
“Verizon Innovative Learning Schools were better prepared for distance learning during the pandemic because of the devices, internet access, and professional learning opportunities provided by the program,” said Alex Servello, director of corporate social responsibility at Verizon. “However, we saw students in schools across the country who didn’t have reliable home internet struggle to connect to class. The ability to also support those students with internet access allowed us to ensure they are connected outside of the school building and have uninterrupted access to instruction.”
Verizon Innovative Learning is driving academic improvements and supporting the shift to distance learning. In fact, Verizon Innovative Learning teachers felt more prepared for distance learning thanks to the initiative, with 92 percent reporting that Verizon Innovative Learning helped prepare them to teach remotely. Moreover, 59 percent of Verizon Innovative Learning students believe assignments are easier when using a device, and 54 percent believe having the device improved their confidence in the things they can do.
The 246 new Verizon Innovative Learning Schools comprising the program’s largest cohort to date are:
- Algiers Charter School Association^ (LA): Lord Beaconsfield Landry High School, Martin Behrman Charter School
- Alum Rock Union School District^ (CA): Adelante Dual Language Academy, Joseph George Middle School
- ARISE Schools^ (LA): ARISE Academy, Mildred Osborne Charter School
- Atlanta Public Schools* (GA): Benjamin E. Mays High School, B.E.S.T. Academy, Booker T. Washington High School, Coretta Scott King YWLA, Crawford W. Long Middle School, Frederick Douglass High School, Herman J. Russell West End Academy, Hollis Innovation Academy, Jean Childs Young Middle School, J.L. Invictus Academy, Luther J. Price Middle School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, Ralph J. Bunche Middle School, Sylvan Hills Middle School
- Broward County Public Schools* (FL): Gulfstream Academy of Hallandale Beach, Olsen Middle School, Pines Middle School, Westpine Middle School
- Cedar Rapids Community School District^ (IA): Metro High School, Wilson Middle School
- Clarksdale Municipal School District^ (MS): Clarksdale High School, J.W. Stampley Freshman Academy, Oakhurst Intermediate Academy, W.A. Higgins Middle School
- Dallas Independent School District^ (TX): City Lab High School, Innovation Design Entrepreneurship Academy, North Dallas High School, T.W. Browne Middle School, Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. Middle School
- Fall River Public Schools^ (MA): Durfee High School, Resiliency Preparatory Academy, Stone School
- Fort Bend Independent School District^ (TX): Thurgood Marshall High School, Willowridge High School
- Friendship Public Charter Schools* (DC): Friendship Collegiate Academy, Friendship Technology Preparatory High School
- Guilford County Schools^ (NC): Allen Middle School, Hairston Middle School, Jackson Middle School, Johnson Street Global Studies, Wellborn Academy of Science and Technology
- Highline Public Schools^ (WA): Evergreen High School, Highline High School, New Start High School, Tyee High School
- Houston Independent School District*^ (TX): Alexander Hamilton Middle School, Audrey H. Lawson Middle School, Austin High School, Cesar Chavez High School, Clifton Middle School, Daniel Ortiz Jr. Middle School, East Early College High School, Fondren Middle School, Fonville Middle School, Forest Brook Middle School, Francis Scott Key Middle School, Furr High School, Heights High School, High School for Law and Justice, Margaret Long Wisdom High School, Marshall Middle Academy of Fine Arts, Meyerland Performing & Visual Arts Middle School, Paul Revere Middle School, Sterling Aviation High School, Waltrip High School, Westbury High School, Yolanda Black Navarro Middle School
- Jefferson County Public Schools^ (KY): The Academy @ Shawnee High School, Butler Traditional High School, Fairdale High School, Frederick Law Olmsted Academy South, Iroquois High School, Jeffersontown High School, Liberty High School, Louisville Central High School, Newcomer Academy, Seneca High School, Valley High School, Waggener High School, Western Middle School
- Jersey City Public Schools* (NJ): Joseph H. Brensinger Elementary School #17, Mahatma K. Gandhi School #23
- KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools^ (GA): KIPP Atlanta Collegiate Academy, KIPP Soul Academy, KIPP South Fulton Academy, KIPP Strive Academy, KIPP Vision Academy, KIPP WAYS Academy, KIPP Woodson Park Academy
- Lawrence Public Schools* (MA): Arlington Middle School, Spark Academy
- Los Angeles Unified School District^ (CA): Charles Drew Middle School, George Washington Carver Middle School, James Madison Middle School, Marina Del Rey Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet, Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School, Marywood Center for Enriched Studies
- Marshalltown Community School District^ (IA): Lenihan Intermediate School, Marshalltown High School, Miller Middle School
- Mater Academy* (FL): Mater Academy Bay High School, Mater Academy High School, Mater Beach Academy, Mater Brighton Lakes Academy, Mater Lakes Academy High School, Mater Palms Academy, Mater Performing Arts & Entertainment Academy
- Mater Academy* (NV): Mater Academy Bonanza, Mater Academy East, Mater Academy Mountain Vista, Mater Academy of Northern Nevada
- McComb School District^ (MS): Denman Junior High School, McComb High School
- Miami-Dade County Public Schools^ (FL): Young Men’s Preparatory Academy, Young Women’s Preparatory Academy
- Milwaukee Public Schools* (WI): Grantosa Drive School, Longfellow School, Morse Middle School, Wedgewood Park School
- Morgan Local School District^ (OH): Morgan Junior High School, Morgan High School
- New Brunswick Public Schools* (NJ): Lincoln Annex School, McKinley Community School, New Brunswick Middle School
- Newburgh Enlarged City School District^ (NY): Meadow Hill School, Newburgh Free Academy North, Newburgh Free Academy West, Temple Hill Academy
- New Horizons Education Centers^ (VA): New Horizons Center for Autism, Newport Academy
- New York City Department of Education^ (NY): Bronx Academy of Software Engineering (BASE), Bronx High School of Business, English Language Learners and International Support Preparatory Academy (ELLIS), Frederick Douglass Academy VI, Harold O. Levy School, High School for Law and Public Service, I.S. 285 Meyer Levin Middle School, The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology, North Bronx School of Empowerment, Rockaway Park High School for Environmental Sustainability, Teachers Preparatory High School
- Norwalk Public Schools* (CT): Nathan Hale Middle School, Ponus Ridge STEM Academy, West Rocks Middle School
- Orangeburg County School District^ (SC): Bethune-Bowman Middle/High School, Edisto High School, Elloree Elementary/Middle School, Holly Hill-Roberts Middle School, Hunter-Kinnard-Tyler Middle/High School, Lake Marion High School, North Middle/High School, Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, Robert E. Howard Middle School, William J. Clark Middle School
- Orange Unified School District* (CA): Portola Middle School, Yorba Middle School
- Pendergast Elementary School District* (AZ): Amberlea Elementary School, Desert Horizon Elementary School, Villa de Paz Elementary School
- Polk County School District^ (TN): Copper Basin High School, Polk County High School
- Portland Public Schools* (OR): George Middle School, Lane Middle School, Roosevelt High School
- Prince George’s County Public Schools* (MD): Nicholas Orem Middle School, Samuel P. Massie Middle School
- Richard Wright Public Charter Schools^ (DC): Richard Wright Public Charter School for Journalism and Media Arts
- Richmond County School System* (GA): A.R. Johnson Magnet School, Hephzibah Middle School, Langford Middle School, Spirit Creek Middle School, Tutt Middle School
- Roosevelt School District^ (AZ): Bernard Black School, C.J. Jorgensen School
- Saint Louis Public Schools* (MO): Academy of Entrepreneurship Studies Middle, BKG Pamoja Preparatory Academy at Cole, Long International Middle School, Yeatman-Liddell College Preparatory Middle School
- Shelby County Public Schools* (TN): American Way Middle School, Booker T. Washington Middle School, Craigmont Middle School, Georgian Hills Middle School, Grandview Heights Middle School, Raleigh-Egypt Middle School, Riverview K-8 School, Woodstock Middle School
- Sweetwater Public Schools^ (OK): Sweetwater Elementary School, Sweetwater High School
- Trenton Public Schools* (NJ): Grace A. Dunn Middle School, Hedgepeth/Williams Middle School of the Arts, Joyce Kilmer School, Luis Munoz Rivera Middle School
- Vallejo City Unified School District^ (CA): Hogan Middle School, Solano Widenmann Leadership Academy, Vallejo High School
- Wayne Township Metropolitan School District^ (IN): Ben Davis High School, Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center, Ben Davis University High School, Chapel Hill 7th and 8th Grade Center, Lynhurst 7th and 8th Grade Center
- Wichita Public Schools*^ (KS): Brooks Center for STEM and the Arts Magnet Middle School, Coleman Middle School, Curtis Middle School, Gordon Parks Academy, Hadley Middle School, Hamilton Middle School, Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet, Jardine STEM and Career Explorations Magnet Middle Academy, Marshall Middle School, Mayberry Cultural and Fine Arts Magnet Middle School, Mead Middle School, Pleasant Valley Middle School, Robinson Middle School, Truesdell Middle School, Wichita East High School, Wichita North High School, Wichita South High School, Wichita Southeast High School, Wichita West High School
- Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools^ (NC): Carver High School, Flat Rock Middle School, John F. Kennedy High School, Mineral Springs Middle School, North Forsyth High School, Paisley Middle School, Parkland High School, Wiley Middle School
- Worcester Public Schools^ (MA): Burncoat Middle School, Burncoat High School, Claremont Academy, Doherty Memorial High School, Forest Grove Middle School, North High School, South High Community School, Sullivan Middle School, University Park Campus School, Worcester East Middle School, Worcester Technical High School
- Yazoo County School District^ (MS): Yazoo County High School, Yazoo County Middle School
*Schools will receive mobile devices with data plans for every student and teacher.
^Schools will receive hotspots with data plans for students who lack reliable home internet access.
For more information, visit verizon.digitalpromise.org.