One of the biggest obstacles to opening a new school is establishing an effective support network. The Alliance of Model Schools is a cost-free membership that provides resources, advocacy and networking for schools that implement a new school design.  Learn more, click here.

Do you have specific questions about replicating a new school model?

Check out our list of Frequently Asked Questions. If you don't see your question on the list, or would like to discuss a model further, email or call us! Dawn Downes, Director of Innovative School Models, 302-656-4737 or ddownes@innovativeschools.org.

Local Partner Services


Relationship

In the school re-design process, Innovative Schools works in collaboration with an LEA’s staff and key stakeholders to extend the school’s capacity to implement new school designs with fidelity.  In this process, Innovative Schools serves a “critical friend,” and provides direct technical assistance.  Each LEA is asked to convene a planning team for each new academy it will be implementing that is representative of all stakeholders (leaders, teachers, parents, and community members).

Commitment

Redesign a school is hard work and requires significant time and dedication.   Research and exploration of new school models typically takes 3-6 months to determine which model is the best fit and to secure buy-in from key stakeholders.  This includes support from Innovative Schools in engaging the community, working with key stakeholders to attend Model School Tours, helping you to identify appropriate funding, and more. Some of the models also require you to complete an application.

The actual implementation of a new school model can take 4-5 years.  Year 1 of implementation is dedicated to planning.  This includes extensive professional development, curriculum alignment, continued community engagement and more.  Years 2 through 4 or 5 are dedicated to actually implementing the model, starting with the lowest grade at the school and scaling up until the model is implemented in all grade levels. 

Deliverables

  • Innovative Schools local partner services extend your school’s capacity and provide expertise to the school redesign team through
  • Facilitating and contributing to the strategic planning session for the redesign team, guiding the process and posing questions as a “critical friend”
  • Managing multiple partners working in the same space
  • Facilitating the school design process to build out each academy’s unique identity and mission, including the instructional design of each academy with documents such as curriculum maps, instruction, and assessment to reflect standards and 21st Century skills
  • Support leadership with managing change and building each academy’s unique culture
  • Facilitating professional development with school design partner
  • Building community partnerships
  • Advising leaders on national trends in policy and operations
  • Interfacing with DDOE around policy changes
  • Identifying potential funding streams outside of per pupil allotment
  • Assist in monitoring the implementation of the new school design