50 new schools to join Verizon Innovative Learning for the 2019-20 school year

BASKING RIDGE, NJ – Fifty new middle schools from 15 districts across the country will join the Verizon Innovative Learning schools initiative in the 2019-20 school year. The continued partnership between Digital Promise, a nonprofit organization working to spur innovation in education, and Verizon Innovative Learning equips every student and teacher at select middle schools across America with a device and up to a four-year data plan. In addition to free technology and access, schools receive extensive professional development and support towards powerful teaching and learning that leverages technology in and out of the classroom.

Since 2014, the Verizon Innovative Learning schools initiative has reached more than 86,000 students and nearly 6,000 teachers across 100 middle schools in 18 states and Washington, D.C. The 50 new schools joining the program next school year will bring the total to 150 middle schools nationwide.

Along with free mobile devices and accompanying 4G LTE data plans, participating schools receive a subsidy towards 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 reality, virtual reality and 3D design.

Participating schools use technology to meet the needs of each student and empower them with skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and creativity. Verizon will be the first to bring 5G technology to the classroom in the third quarter of 2019. This commitment will help provide under-resourced middle school students with the skills needed to put them on the path to success in an increasingly technology-dependent economy.

Students show marked academic improvement, as well as a greater proficiency in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) subjects as a result of the initiative, and they are more engaged in school.*

A selection of Verizon Innovative Learning schools comprising the program’s largest cohort to date are:

• Alhambra Elementary School District (AZ): Barcelona Elementary School, Catalina Ventura School, Granada East, Madrid Neighborhood School, Sevilla West, and Simpson School

• Alum Rock Union Elementary School District: Renaissance Academy of Arts, Sciences, and Social Justice at Fischer and Renaissance Academy of Arts, Sciences, and Social Justice at Mathson

• Austin Independent School District (TX): Burnett Middle School, Garcia YMLA, Martin Middle School, Paredes Middle School, and Sadler Means YWLA

• Cincinnati Public Schools (OH): Roberts Paideia Academy and Sayler Park School

• Friendship Public Charter Schools (DC): Armstrong Middle School, Blow Pierce Middle School, Chamberlain Middle School, Southeast Middle School, and Woodridge Middle School

• Glendale Elementary School District (AZ): Challenger Middle School and Melvine E. Sine Elementary School

• Holyoke Public School District (MA): Holyoke STEM Academy and Peck Middle School

• Irving Independent School District (TX): de Zavala Middle School, Johnson Middle School, and Travis Middle School

• Little Rock School District (AR): Cloverdale Middle School, Mabelvale Middle School, and Mann Magnet Middle School

• Montgomery County Public Schools (MD): Argyle Magnet Middle School, Forest Oak Middle School, and Neelsville Middle School

• Newark Public Schools (NJ): Dr. Horton School, Hawkins Street School, and Hawthorne Avenue School

• Reynolds School District (OR): H.B. Lee Middle School, Reynolds Middle School, and Walt Morey Middle School

• Tucson Unified School District (AZ): Lawrence 3-8 School, Mansfield Middle Magnet School, and Pueblo Gardens PK-8