FullScale, in partnership with All4Ed, today announced the 13 school and district teams selected to participate in the Rural AI Strategy Lab, a six-month, cohort-based initiative designed to support rural educators in exploring, piloting, and implementing artificial intelligence in ways that reflect their local priorities and community contexts.
The Rural AI Strategy Lab brings together educators from across the country to collaboratively investigate how AI can be thoughtfully integrated into teaching and learning. Participants will engage in real-time design and implementation, generating practical insights, identifying challenges, and developing tools to support rural schools and districts navigating AI adoption.
The initiative received an overwhelming response, with more than 100 school and district teams from 34 states applying. Following a competitive selection process that included interviews with over 30 teams, 13 were chosen based on their demonstrated commitment to students, communities, and innovative learning approaches.
The selected teams are:
- Berkshire Hills Regional School District — Great Barrington, Massachusetts
- Cape Flattery School District — Sekiu, Washington
- Davenport School District — Davenport, Washington
- Elko County School District — Elko, Nevada
- Griswold Public Schools — Griswold, Connecticut
- Ionia County Career Center — Ionia, Michigan
- Louisa County Public Schools — Mineral, Virginia
- Martin County Schools — Williamston, North Carolina
- Mason County Eastern Schools — Custer, Michigan
- Mount Greylock Regional School District — Williamstown, Massachusetts
- Mohave Valley Elementary School District — Mohave Valley, Arizona
- Pikeville Independent Schools — Pikeville, Kentucky
- Polk County Schools — Benton, Tennessee
Each participating team brings a unique context, leadership approach, and level of experience with AI. Over the course of the program, teams will prototype locally relevant strategies, share insights with peers, and contribute to the development of practical resources for other rural districts.
"Rural educators have been largely absent from the national conversation on AI — from tool development all the way to policy. The Rural AI Strategy Lab exists to change that. We are inspired by the deep commitment these systems bring to ensuring that AI is used in ways that truly serve their students and communities," said Dr. Beth Rabbitt, Co-CEO of FullScale.
"As a former superintendent, I know firsthand the unique challenges and opportunities rural schools face. These 13 teams represent the ingenuity and dedication that defines rural education, and we are proud to support them as they help shape what responsible AI adoption looks like for communities like theirs," said Virgel Hammonds, Co-CEO of FullScale.
"The educators in this cohort are doing something the broader field desperately needs: learning by doing, in real communities, with real students. What they discover about what works, what doesn't, and what our rural schools actually need from AI won't just benefit their own classrooms. This work will help shape a more effective and equitable path forward for districts everywhere," said Dr. Amy Loyd, CEO of All4Ed.
Insights and learnings from the Rural AI Strategy Lab will be shared broadly to support the growing community of educators and leaders working at the intersection of AI and education.
To stay updated on the Rural AI Strategy Lab and future opportunities to engage, subscribe to FullScale's newsletter.
FullScale unites education leaders and organizations to drive collective learning, action, and systems transformation. Formed through the merger of The Learning Accelerator and Aurora Institute, FullScale works to break silos, bridge divides, surface new evidence and unseen innovations, and accelerate change for lasting impact for every learner. Through its work spanning practice, policy, research, and people, FullScale helps build the conditions needed to ensure every child has access to personalized, competency-based, whole-child learning experiences. Learn more at fullscalelearning.org.
About All4Ed
All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organization committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities for students of color, from low-income families, and other marginalized groups. From the classroom to Congress, All4Ed advances educational transformation by championing policies and practices that ensure all students graduate prepared for college, career, and life. All4Ed’s Future Ready Schools® (FRS) is a nationwide network that empowers K–12 leaders to reimagine teaching and learning. Using a research-based framework, FRS helps districts create inclusive, student-centered, and future-focused learning environments that meet the needs of all learners. Learn more all4ed.org
