School News
Project Lead the Way to Award $20,000 Grant to Edison School of Innovation for STEM-Focused 6th Grade Science Curriculum
Project Lead the Way to Award $20,000 Grant to Edison School of Innovation for STEM-Focused 6th Grade Science Curriculum
[Glendale, AZ] – [January 29, 2024] – Edison School of Innovation, a leading public charter school in Glendale, AZ, has been awarded a $20,000 grant from Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a national nonprofit organization that provides STEM education programs. The grant, made possible by generous support from PLTW's partner, the ON Semiconductor Foundation, will be used to support and implement an, engaging STEM-focused science curriculum for the school's 6th grade students.
“We are excited to receive this grant from Project Lead The Way and the ON Semiconductor Foundation. This program will allow us to create a dynamic and innovative STEM curriculum that will spark our students’ curiosity and ignite their passion for science and discovery.”
This innovative curriculum will integrate science concepts with real-world applications, allowing students to learn through hands-on activities, problem-solving, and critical thinking. This grant will provide essential resources for teacher training, curriculum development, and classroom materials, ensuring that Edison School of Innovation continues to provide its students with a high-quality STEM education.
About Project Lead The Way
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a national nonprofit organization that provides K-12 STEM education programs. PLTW's mission is to create a transformative learning environment and empower students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in an evolving world. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.
About the ON Semiconductor Foundation
The ON Semiconductor Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports programs and initiatives that promote education, community development, and environmental sustainability. For more information, visit https://www.onsemi.com/company/news-media/blog/company/en-us/onsemi-awards-1-3m-in-steam-grants.
Edison School of Innovation Receives an "A" Letter Grade for 2022-2023
On October 30, 2023, the Arizona Department of Education released school letter grade scores for the 2022-2023 school year. Edison School of Innovation was assigned an “A” letter grade, which represents some of the highest performing schools in the state, based on measurements of student achievement, student learning growth, and support areas including special education & English language learners.
This is the second year the school has been eligible to receive a letter grade, and we are very honored to be awarded the highest possible grade for two years in a row. Edison School of Innovation is committed to a culture of excellence and high expectations for all students.
School letter grades can be viewed on Arizona Department of Education’s “School Report Card” webpage.
https://azreportcards.azed.gov/schools/detail/465875
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Edison School of Innovation Celebrates Groundbreaking for its New Campus
GLENDALE, AZ – Edison School of Innovation celebrated the groundbreaking of its new campus today with a ceremony attended by students, staff, community leaders, and developers. The new campus will be located on a 4.6-acre site near 83rd Avenue & Camelback Rd, and will house 22 classrooms for a capacity of up to 540 students.
The groundbreaking ceremony was kicked off by Cheryl Rose, the school’s principal. She spoke about the importance of the new campus and how it will benefit students and the community. She also thanked the school staff, leadership, and development team who made the project possible.
Following Cheryl’s remarks, distinguished guests, including Mayor Jerry Weiers, City of Glendale; Steve Watson, Maricopa County School Superintendent; and Matt Ladner, Arizona Charter Schools Association gave speeches about the importance of education and charter schools.
The groundbreaking ceremony concluded with a ceremonial shoveling of dirt to mark the beginning of construction on the new campus. The new campus is scheduled to open in January, 2024.
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Arizona State Board for Charter Schools to Approve Increase in Enrollment Cap
PHOENIX, AZ — On April 10, 2023, the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools (ASBCS) voted to approve the Enrollment Cap Increase Request submitted by Edison Project. The school is now authorized to enroll up to 540 students.
ASBCS meeting minutes and supplemental materials are available online for viewing.
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New School Campus Development
Edison School of Innovation is excited to announce that we are partnering with Charter School Development Corporation to build a new school campus at 5136 N 83rd Ave in Glendale, AZ. The projected completion date is December 2023. The new school facility will include 22 classrooms, a multi-purpose building, playgrounds, and an outdoor education area.
The school is also currently in the process of applying for international accreditation through Cognia with STEM certification and an enrollment cap increase to 540 students to accommodate two classes each for Kindergarten through 8th grades. We are proud of our educational program results and the accomplishments of our staff and students. As one of the few “A” schools in the West Valley region, we are excited to make our permanent home in this community.
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Edison School of Innovation Receives an "A" Letter Grade for 2021-2022
On November 16, 2022, the Arizona Department of Education released school letter grade scores for the 2021-2022 school year. Edison School of Innovation was assigned an “A” letter grade, which represents some of the highest performing schools in the state, based on measurements of student achievement, student learning growth, and support areas including special education & English language learners.
This is the first year the school is eligible to receive a letter grade, and we are very honored to be awarded the highest possible grade. Edison School of Innovation is committed to a culture of excellence and high expectations for all students.
School letter grades can be viewed on Arizona Department of Education’s “School Report Card” webpage.
https://azreportcards.azed.gov/schools/detail/465875
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A for Arizona Awards Expansion and Innovation Grant to Edison School of Innovation
A for Arizona | AforArizona.Org
Edison School of Innovation is 1 of 7 state schools to be awarded A for Arizona’s “Public Small Learning Communities” grant as a part of their Expansion & Innovation Fund.
PEORIA, AZ – Arizona families have responded to the current pandemic by finding creative ways to ensure a successful educational environment for their children. Meet A for Arizona's newest Public Small Learning Communities — all community-driven, small scale solutions by public schools across Arizona benefiting nearly 1,000 students this spring 2021 semester. These grants provide seed funding for new small models and approaches to teaching and learning that support student populations that have been significantly disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic and make access to Small Learning Communities free and more equitable.
PROBLEM TO SOLVE
With COVID-19 cases on the rise, providing in-person learning has been the biggest challenge for Edison School of Innovation. In their small Title One school, any cases impact staffing at a greater level when they have to quarantine. Students living in pover-ty, children of essential workers, Exceptional Student learners, and English language learners have especially struggled academically from the remote learning and have demonstrated a greater need for access to reliable internet, additional instruc-tional support, meals, and a safe place to learn while parents are at work in essential roles.
SOLUTION EXCITEMENT POINT
With an incredibly inclusive student body and leveraging research, Edison aims to build a meaningful learning hub for in-person engagement and social-emotional supports for students suffering from trauma and lacking support from many learning options right now. This model will provide interactive opportunities away from the screen for students to improve focus, physical, and mental health and also have access to counseling services for additional social-emotional support.
WHY IS THIS APPROACH SO URGENT?
This proposal was developed in real-time this school year based on student needs, parent surveys, and caregiver communication on a need for an alternative to distance learning. The social-emotional learning hub aims to increase level of learning engagement, improve student behavior, and expand social-emotional skills.
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Edison School Receives PLTW National Recognition for Commitment to Empowering Students
Edison School of Innovation has been recognized as a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School
PEORIA, AZ – Edison School of Innovation has been recognized as a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities for students through PLTW Launch. It is one of just 404 elementary schools across the U.S. to receive this honor. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S.
The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, Edison School had to offer at least two PLTW Launch modules at each grade level and have more than 75 percent of the student body participating during the 2018-19 school year.
Studies show that students decide as early as elementary school whether they like, and think they are good at, math and science. Whether designing a car safety belt or building digital animations based on their own short stories, PLTW Launch students engage in critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and develop a passion for and confidence in STEM subjects.
“It is a great honor to recognize Edison School for their commitment to providing students with an excellent educational experience,” said Dr. Vince Bertram, President and CEO of PLTW. “They should be very proud of their work to ensure students have the knowledge and skills to be career ready and successful on any career path they choose.”
Edison School is part of a community of PreK-12 schools, colleges and universities, and corporate and philanthropic partners across the country united around a passion for providing students with inspiring, engaging, and empowering learning opportunities. For more information about PLTW’s recognition program, visit https://www.pltw.org/our-programs/program-recognition/distinguished-schools.
For more information on Edison School’s PLTW Launch program or to set up a school visit, please visit our school website at www.edisonschoolaz.org.
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a mission-driven organization that is transforming the learning experience for millions of PreK-12 students and thousands of teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. Approximately 12,200 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.
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Cox Connect2STEM - Innovation Award for Business
May 15, 2018
The program honors exceptional students and teachers for their life’s work and interest in STEM.
By: Kenn Tomasch
The Cox Connect2STEM Awards, presented by Cox Communications in partnership with the Arizona SciTech Festival, honors STEM champions in the areas of business, non-profit, education, media and after school programs. Each award winner in all six categories receives a $1,000 grant to the STEM program of his/her choice.
Meet our winners below!
Innovation Award for Business Winner: The Edison School for Innovation
Edison School for Innovation emphasizes a STEM-based curriculum while partnering with organizations and programs that will help the school advance those goals. The school will serve Glendale and Peoria students in grades K-8 when it opens in August 2018.
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