Core Topics
- Uncategorized
- Announcements
- Insight Briefs
Artificial intelligence is expanding what’s possible in teaching and learning — while also introducing new complexity for educators and students. Drawing on conversations with more than 40 organizations at the forefront of AI in education, this brief explores how AI can support, rather than supplant, the human work of teaching, and outlines emerging insights for building more effective, sustainable, and joyful learning environments.
- Announcements
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A 2025 year-end reflection on how courageous educators, innovators, and 80 NewSchools ventures advanced student learning, from reading and math to AI-powered supports.
- Resources
See lessons from six high-performing schools and is designed for educators, funders, and policymakers looking for evidence of what’s working in public schools today and practical guidance to strengthen their own efforts.
- Insight Briefs
- Press Releases
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NewSchools Venture Fund announced today more than $10 million in funding to help visionary educators and innovators reimagine what public education can be. The funding will support ideas that make teaching and learning more engaging, effective, and responsive to the needs of today’s students — with the goal of expanding opportunity and improving outcomes for students across the country.
- Announcements
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NewSchools is announcing more than $23 million in new investments and reinvestments to over 80 ventures, chosen from 1,600 applicants nationwide. At a time when it would be easy to pull back, innovators are stepping forward with courage, resilience, and bold visions for what comes next in public education.
- Resources
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In education, we’re often told we have to choose. Academic excellence or student well-being. Innovation or proven practice. Serving some students well or serving all students well. The schools we’re featuring in our new case study series prove those tradeoffs are false. They show that with strategic focus, authentic community partnership, and a commitment to continuous improvement, schools can deliver across multiple dimensions at once.
- Insight Briefs
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Discussions about the promise of AI in K-12 education are everywhere. Personalized learning. Instant feedback. Better outcomes at scale. But when it comes to helping students succeed in math, the reality is more complicated — and the solutions are far less mature.
- Announcements
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AI is one of the most talked-about — and least understood — technologies in K-12 education today. While some see it as a silver bullet and others as a threat, NewSchools is taking a different stance: grounded optimism.
- Insight Briefs
Artificial intelligence is expanding what’s possible in teaching and learning — while also introducing new complexity for educators and students. Drawing on conversations with more than 40 organizations at the forefront of AI in education, this brief explores how AI can support, rather than supplant, the human work of teaching, and outlines emerging insights for building more effective, sustainable, and joyful learning environments.
- Insight Briefs
By
|
Discussions about the promise of AI in K-12 education are everywhere. Personalized learning. Instant feedback. Better outcomes at scale. But when it comes to helping students succeed in math, the reality is more complicated — and the solutions are far less mature.
- Announcements
By
|
AI is one of the most talked-about — and least understood — technologies in K-12 education today. While some see it as a silver bullet and others as a threat, NewSchools is taking a different stance: grounded optimism.
- Press Releases
We’re excited to announce a new funding opportunity focused on GenAI math tutoring solutions built on specialized foundation models. This initiative focuses on cutting-edge math tutoring solutions that can increase accuracy, lower costs, and make personalized, high-quality learning accessible to all students.
- Impact Story
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Uncertainty about the future of K-12 education has ignited a debate: Should schools prioritize research-based instruction or an engagement-first strategy that centers student enthusiasm and curiosity?
- Impact Story
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From the beginning, NewSchools has pioneered new ways of funding innovation in public education. Today, I’m as convinced as ever that venture philanthropy still has a powerful role to play in advancing education and that we must lead with equity, collaboration, and courage as our guiding principles.
- Uncategorized
- Media Coverage
EdWeek Market Brief Managing Editor Sean Cavanagh spoke recently with Messano about how her organization is trying to foster diversity within the industry through its investments, and what it will take to make progress across the broader K-12 market.
- Media Coverage
Participatory grantmaking: It isn’t a term that rolls off the tongue, and yet many people in the philanthropy world are talking about it these days. It describes the process of including community members in grantmaking decisions. As GrantCraft put it in a 2018 report, “participatory grantmaking cedes decision-making power about funding—including the strategy and criteria behind those decisions—to the very communities that funders aim to serve.”
- Announcements
NewSchools’ Racial Equity Council has selected a group of innovators to receive $1.5 million in funding. These innovators are disrupting racial inequities and advancing the wellbeing and achievement of students in Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities.
- Media Coverage
Participatory grantmaking: It isn’t a term that rolls off the tongue, and yet many people in the philanthropy world are talking about it these days. It describes the process of including community members in grantmaking decisions. As GrantCraft put it in a 2018 report, “participatory grantmaking cedes decision-making power about funding—including the strategy and criteria behind those decisions—to the very communities that funders aim to serve.”
- Announcements
The past year has laid bare the pernicious effects of structural racism and its impact on people of color, especially Black Americans. Through George Floyd’s life and death, and the recent trial, we are reminded of the moral imperative of racial justice. Yesterday’s verdict brings some measure of accountability. But there is much more work to be done.
- Announcements
This blog was originally published by EdSurge on Mar. 29, 2021 and can be found on their website <a href="https://www.edsurge.com/news/2021-03-29-dive
- Insight Briefs
Earlier this year, we released an analysis of the tools teachers said they were using most often in our 2019 survey with Gallup on “Education Technology Use in Schools.” In that analysis, we found that most teachers were using different digital learning tools, painting a picture of a highly-fragmented marketplace.
- Insight Briefs
In 2019, NewSchools partnered with Gallup to release “Education Technology Use in Schools,” a comprehensive report to better understand ed tech’s perceptions and usage. This past summer, we conducted a follow-up survey of parents, teachers, and students to evaluate how ed tech’s engagement may be changing in the pandemic context.
- Reports
Schools, students and families will need to work together in new and creative ways this fall as millions of students go back to school virtually. In n...
- Media Coverage
Despite pressure from President Donald Trump for schools to offer in-person instruction this fall, many students in states such as California and in 17 of the 20 biggest school districts in the nation will start the year online.
- Insight Briefs
- Announcements
- Announcements
By
|
A 2025 year-end reflection on how courageous educators, innovators, and 80 NewSchools ventures advanced student learning, from reading and math to AI-powered supports.
- Announcements
By
|
NewSchools is announcing more than $23 million in new investments and reinvestments to over 80 ventures, chosen from 1,600 applicants nationwide. At a time when it would be easy to pull back, innovators are stepping forward with courage, resilience, and bold visions for what comes next in public education.
- Event Recap
By
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In the weeks since NewSchools Summit, I’ve been reflecting on a question that came up again and again: What does it look like to lead with courage in this moment? More often, it looks like the quiet resilience of education leaders showing up every day to do the work, even when the path forward is anything but clear.
- Announcements
By
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Education is at a crossroads. Schools are facing tough decisions, policies are shifting rapidly, and recent data has uncovered an urgent opportunity for us to better support students in building the skills they need to succeed. For all of us to meet this moment, we must show bold leadership, decisive action, and a commitment to delivering results.
- Resources
By
|
In education, we’re often told we have to choose. Academic excellence or student well-being. Innovation or proven practice. Serving some students well or serving all students well. The schools we’re featuring in our new case study series prove those tradeoffs are false. They show that with strategic focus, authentic community partnership, and a commitment to continuous improvement, schools can deliver across multiple dimensions at once.
- Reports
By
|
Despite signs of academic recovery, new data reveals that public school students, especially younger ones, are significantly behind, with achievement gaps widening between low-income and affluent students. As school leaders urgently seek solutions, it’s worth asking: What if the answers have been right in front of us all along — in innovative public schools with exceptional results?
- Announcements
This month Bright Spots, a new live, interactive series hosted by NewSchools debuted on LinkedIn. We’re excited to connect with more education innovators and stakeholders in real-time and lift up what’s working during this time of rebuilding and reinvention in education.
- Announcements
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This is a tough time to be in education. For teachers and school leaders navigating a third wave of the pandemic and fighting to deliver an excellent education, there are no “time outs.” Education philanthropy has a shared responsibility to support educators who are responding to unrelenting demands every day.
- Impact Story
By
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Here at NewSchools, we kicked off 2021 with the launch of a new three-year strategy, focused on four investment areas: Innovative Public Schools, Learning Solutions, Diverse Leaders, and Racial Equity. Our team is energized by the tremendous response from education innovators and leaders across the country.
- Impact Story
By
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Uncertainty about the future of K-12 education has ignited a debate: Should schools prioritize research-based instruction or an engagement-first strategy that centers student enthusiasm and curiosity?
- Announcements
In February 2016, NewSchools launched the Middle & High School Math Ed Tech Challenge – open to entrepreneurs developing engaging, technology-enab...
- Announcements
In August 2017, NewSchools Venture Fund launched the Early Learning Ed Tech Challenge – open to entrepreneurs developing technology-enabled learning e...
Based on knowledge developed through the Middle & High School Math Challenge, this resource summarizes findings and lessons learned from market research and our support of the challenge winners.
- Announcements
- Impact Story
By
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Uncertainty about the future of K-12 education has ignited a debate: Should schools prioritize research-based instruction or an engagement-first strategy that centers student enthusiasm and curiosity?
- Announcements
In August 2017, NewSchools Venture Fund launched the Early Learning Ed Tech Challenge – open to entrepreneurs developing technology-enabled learning e...
- Media Coverage
The following post was originally published on <a href="https://www.edsurge.com/news/2017-08-14-early-learning-faces-obstacles-and-inequities-here-s-h
- Impact Story
Ten years ago, Antoinette Banks was in Los Angeles navigating the educational system for her daughter with autism and ADHD. Her child, often seen through the lens of labels, was in reality brimming with untapped potential.
- Impact Story
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As a sibling of a person with severe disabilities and special educator for 20 years, I know firsthand the power in fully seeing our youth and providing them with their fundamental right to a real education.
- Announcements
- Reports
The following is a synopsis on the current landscape of special education within U.S. public education. While realizing technology is the not the pana...
- Announcements
In February 2017, NewSchools Venture Fund launched the Special Education Ed Tech Challenge – open to entrepreneurs developing engaging, technology-ena...
- Press Releases
We’re excited to announce a new funding opportunity focused on GenAI math tutoring solutions built on specialized foundation models. This initiative focuses on cutting-edge math tutoring solutions that can increase accuracy, lower costs, and make personalized, high-quality learning accessible to all students.
- Announcements
By
|
This is a tough time to be in education. For teachers and school leaders navigating a third wave of the pandemic and fighting to deliver an excellent education, there are no “time outs.” Education philanthropy has a shared responsibility to support educators who are responding to unrelenting demands every day.
- Impact Story
By
|
Here at NewSchools, we kicked off 2021 with the launch of a new three-year strategy, focused on four investment areas: Innovative Public Schools, Learning Solutions, Diverse Leaders, and Racial Equity. Our team is energized by the tremendous response from education innovators and leaders across the country.
- Video Stories
By
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If there was ever a time to imagine a more equitable future for our young people, it’s now. We know that an excellent education is central to this vision and that we can’t get there without rethinking the educational approaches of the past.
- Insight Briefs
By Jason Weeby
<img class="alignnone wp-image-30141" src="https://www.newschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Untitled-design-300x169.png" alt="Gir
- Reports
NewSchools Venture Fund commissioned research from Betsy Peters and Doug Roberts from Educational Solutions Consulting to (1) understand the key chara...
- Announcements
In February 2018, NewSchools launched the Future of Work Ed Tech Challenge – open to entrepreneurs developing technology-enabled learning experiences,...
- Impact Story
- Press Releases
This week we’re excited to announce the opening of NewSchools’ latest ed tech funding opportunity, the NewSchools Ignite: Future of Work Challenge.
- Impact Story
For as long as there have been people, there have been folks predicting what the future might hold. And, recently at NewSchools, our team spent a whol
- Announcements
NewSchools’ Racial Equity Council has selected a group of innovators to receive $1.5 million in funding. These innovators are disrupting racial inequities and advancing the wellbeing and achievement of students in Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities.
- Video Stories
- Announcements
The past year has laid bare the pernicious effects of structural racism and its impact on people of color, especially Black Americans. Through George Floyd’s life and death, and the recent trial, we are reminded of the moral imperative of racial justice. Yesterday’s verdict brings some measure of accountability. But there is much more work to be done.
- Impact Story
- Press Releases
By
|
NewSchools Venture Fund announced today more than $10 million in funding to help visionary educators and innovators reimagine what public education can be. The funding will support ideas that make teaching and learning more engaging, effective, and responsive to the needs of today’s students — with the goal of expanding opportunity and improving outcomes for students across the country.
- Event Recap
By
|
In the weeks since NewSchools Summit, I’ve been reflecting on a question that came up again and again: What does it look like to lead with courage in this moment? More often, it looks like the quiet resilience of education leaders showing up every day to do the work, even when the path forward is anything but clear.
- Announcements
By
|
Education is at a crossroads. Schools are facing tough decisions, policies are shifting rapidly, and recent data has uncovered an urgent opportunity for us to better support students in building the skills they need to succeed. For all of us to meet this moment, we must show bold leadership, decisive action, and a commitment to delivering results.
- Reports
By
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In this report, you’ll get a snapshot of our impact in 2024: new investments, updates on how ventures improve student outcomes and scale their reach, and an overview of how NewSchools amplifies what’s working in education.
- Press Releases
NewSchools announces $10M in funding for visionary educators and innovators to transform public education. With a focus on reimagining what’s possible, NewSchools is committed to supporting leaders dedicated to creating new opportunities for students to thrive.
- Announcements
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In America, it remains all too predictable who gets a fair shot at life. Our education system should be a gateway to opportunity, yet it often acts as a barrier. While there's no shortage of committed leaders and bright spots in communities across the country, we have yet to move the baseline for everyone.
- Insight Briefs
- Impact Story
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Here’s a look at some of the most interesting themes across our 2024 investing activity, as well as promising innovations that bring us closer to ensuring every student is prepared to thrive in school and in life.
- Reports
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Despite signs of academic recovery, new data reveals that public school students, especially younger ones, are significantly behind, with achievement gaps widening between low-income and affluent students. As school leaders urgently seek solutions, it’s worth asking: What if the answers have been right in front of us all along — in innovative public schools with exceptional results?
- Insight Briefs
By
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Even as the shadows of the pandemic recede and schools invest heavily in recovery efforts, students across the country continue to navigate an array of obstacles. Supporting their academic, social, and emotional development remains paramount.
- Insight Briefs
Insights and actionable findings from three years of research on the specific social-emotional and school culture factors that matter most for academi...
- Impact Story
By
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From the beginning, NewSchools has pioneered new ways of funding innovation in public education. Today, I’m as convinced as ever that venture philanthropy still has a powerful role to play in advancing education and that we must lead with equity, collaboration, and courage as our guiding principles.
- Event Recap
By
|
In the weeks since NewSchools Summit, I’ve been reflecting on a question that came up again and again: What does it look like to lead with courage in this moment? More often, it looks like the quiet resilience of education leaders showing up every day to do the work, even when the path forward is anything but clear.
- Event Recap
NewSchools Summit is a premier annual event for social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and education leaders. This year's theme, "Education Fuels Progress," focused on equipping attendees with hope, optimism, and actionable ideas to build an education system that delivers on its promise to all students.
- Event Recap
At NewSchools Summit 2022, more than 2,000 people pulled a seat up to our virtual table ready to reimagine education. Together we amplified powerful, innovative voices, and advanced our collective understanding of what’s possible in the education realm.
- Event Recap
To build connections during our virtual Summit event in May, NewSchools asked a diverse group of innovators, policymakers, funders, and educators to share the books that helped them make sense of the world or simply inspired them this past year.
- Video Stories
- Video Stories
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are poised to revolutionize how we interact with and benefit from technology. Expectations are especially high in ed tech, where AI and ML promise to accelerate more equitable outcomes for all students. But when bias - implicit or otherwise - is baked into the algorithms, are these solutions really being designed with all students in mind? Join us for a crucial look at equity in ed tech and how you can help to ensure that products remain accountable to an inclusive vision of student success.
- Impact Story
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America’s teachers face immense pressures, from high workloads to increasingly complex student needs, fueling a narrative of burnout and dissatisfaction. But what if we could change the story?
- Impact Story
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Learn why now is the time to reimagine teaching with innovative roles, AI, and new strategies to attract and retain a diverse, motivated educator workforce.