Portfolio of School Models

No one school model is a perfect fit for every student and every community. To diversify the learning opportunities available in schools and districts, Innovative Schools has compiled a Portfolio of modern, high quality, high performing school models. These models have a strong record of successful replication in public schools around the country in urban, suburban, and rural settings and are ready to be replicated in Delaware.  Each can be implemented as a school-with-in a school or as a stand-alone school. To 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

Innovative Schools Models Alliance

Networking Resources for

Your School

One of the biggest obstacles to opening a new school, whether it is a school-with-in a school, or a stand-alone school, is establishing an effective support network. The Innovative School Models Alliance is a networking resource for schools that replicate one of the 21st century school designs offered in our Portfolio of Model Schools. The Alliance is a cost-free membership that provides its members with resources and a new system of collaborative, peer-to-peer accountability and networked professional development opportunities across Delaware. 

The Path Forward

In 2009, Innovative Schools began a tactical planning process to devise a new statewide strategy for supporting the redesign of public schools. Through this work, Innovative Schools set out to create an open, collaborative, educator-driven network that encourages, inspires, nudges and supports schools to implement more modern academic programs, while explicitly acknowledging the talents, capacity and commitment already present in Delaware’s schools. We are excited to announce the start of the Innovative School Models Alliance, and invite schools across the state to join our network.

The Alliance Vision

The Innovative School Models Alliance is pioneering partnerships committed to fostering forward-thinking innovations in the design and delivery of education across Delaware. We believe that our bold vision, shared goals and innovative strategies will empower us to close persistent achievement gaps, promote greater educational equity and opportunity for all students, and lead educators into a new era. By redesigning public schools, we envision the knowledge, skills and habits of mind that were once the possession of a few becoming the universal standard for all. Our students will not only be proficient in the traditional academic disciplines, but they will be creative thinkers, adaptable workers, and informed citizens equipped to face the diverse challenges of the 21st century.

We see traditional public schools evolving into versatile community learning centers that prioritize individual learning needs, provide engaging educational opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, and offer a variety of pathways to graduation. As the Innovative School Models Alliance forges ambitious, forward-thinking partnerships across Delaware, educational organizations, postsecondary institutions and schools to leverage resources and expertise in pursuit of our common mission, we foresee a fundamental cultural shift taking hold in the hearts and minds of educators, policy makers, parents and citizens as the traditional concept of school is redefined to mirror the lives, interests, and leaning needs of today’s students.

The Benefits of Collaboration

Working with all education stakeholders, we can implement new, more focused, and better utilized school models that can advance and sustain educational improvement and better prepare our students for their future. The Alliance will support deep, systematic improvement work while guiding and encouraging peer collaboration to accelerate and strengthen the process. Instead of asking schools to emulate others, the network will engage schools in an ongoing exchange of professional learning, sharing, reflection, and growth. While every school in the Alliance will make the same commitment to improve, Innovative Schools recognizes and embraces the fact that schools progress in different ways and at different rates.

Membership Benefits Include

The decision to join the Innovative School Models Alliance is made entirely by participating schools, and is the result of thoughtful consideration. Membership benefits include continued access to:

Fall/Spring Alliance meeting

  • Share best practice strategies and discuss challenges and opportunities

  • Career fair to access school leaders and teachers

  • Keynote speaker highlighting innovative school practices

Strategic Business Partnerships

  • A database of business partners interested in supporting schools in various ways including Project Based Learning Projects, Advisories and Internships and more.

Instructional Support

  • Regularly scheduled professional dialogue and support sessions

  • A structure for coordinating and scheduling site visits to other schools to learn about programs and ongoing improvement work.

  • Access to a professional learning community that harnesses the talents, expertise and resources of schools and educators in Delaware.

Community Spotlight

  • Recognition in Innovative Schools’ monthly newsletter and press releases, highlighting replication

  • Organized tours of your school for others interested your school model

  • Presence at our Best Practice Conference

Alliance Learning Walks

  • Two walk-throughs each year at a fellow Alliance member's building

  • Meaningful coaching from industry professionals