Edison School of Innovation Unveils New Kid-Designed Playground, Sponsored by Discover and KABOOM!

November 7, 2024 — Glendale AZ — Edison School of Innovation Unveils New Kid-Designed Playground

Edison School of Innovation is excited to unveil a brand new playground, designed by the school’s students, and sponsored by Discover and KABOOM!

A Community Effort

This state-of-the-art playground is the result of a collaborative effort between the Edison School of Innovation, Discover, and KABOOM! On August 20th, students from Edison School shared their dream playground designs with project organizers. These ideas were incorporated into the final design, ensuring the new space reflects the children's wishes.

KABOOM!: The Importance of Playgrounds

Playgrounds are essential for healthy child development, providing physical, social, and mental health benefits. Sadly, playspace inequity exists, with many children, especially those in underserved communities, lacking access to these important spaces. This new playground at Edison School of Innovation is a significant step towards closing this gap and ensuring all children have a place to play.

To learn how partners can join KABOOM! in their efforts to end playspace inequity, visit kaboom.org/25-in-5.

Discover’s Commitment to Ending Playspace Inequity

Discover, a long-time partner of KABOOM!, is a strong advocate for ending playspace inequity. This playground build is one of more than 50 Discover-supported projects across the country.

"The impact from this build will extend well beyond the event," says Alyse Perkowitz, Community Affairs Sr. Manager at Discover. "We're honored to help provide access and bring joy to the lives of children in our community."

Join the Movement to End Playspace Inequity

The Edison School of Innovation is proud to be part of this important initiative. We encourage everyone to learn more about KABOOM!’s mission and efforts to ensure all children have the chance to play and grow in a safe and stimulating environment.

About Discover

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a digital banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover® card, America’s cash rewards pioneer, and offers personal loans, home loans, checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit through its banking business. It operates the Discover Global Network® comprised of Discover Network, with millions of merchants and cash access locations; PULSE®, one of the nation’s leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International®, a global payments network with acceptance around the world. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company and connect with us on LinkedIn at Discover Financial Services and Discover Global Network.

About KABOOM!

KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ending playspace inequity – the reality that quality places to play are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with kids and communities to build or improve 17,000+ playspaces and ensure that nearly 12 million kids have equitable access to the crucial benefits and opportunities that playspaces offer. In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity to accelerate its mission in 25 high-priority locations over five years. Learn more at kaboom.org or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Edison School of Innovation Gains Accreditation through Cognia

June 27, 2024 — Glendale AZ — Edison School of Innovation announced today that it has earned Cognia® Accreditation. Cognia is a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.

Cognia, formerly AdvancED, nationally recognizes districts that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation that meets the needs of learners, and effective leadership. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the school is accredited, and that Edison School of Innovation is recognized across the nation as a school that meets Cognia Performance Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement.

School accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides Edison School of Innovation a nationally recognized mark of quality for our school.  It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our openness to external review and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.

To earn Cognia accreditation, a school district also must implement a continuous process of improvement and submit to internal and external review.  Schools in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a six-year term.

Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, stated, “Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of preparing lifelong learners in engaging environments where all students can flourish.  <Insert name of school > is to be commended for demonstrating that it has met high standards, is making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”

Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about the Cognia Accreditation at cognia.org

About Cognia

Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and improvement services to institutions and other education providers. The result of the merger of AdvancED and Measured Progress, Cognia was formed to bridge the gap between school evaluation and student assessment. As a global nonprofit working in 90 countries, our 40,000 institutions serve and support nearly 17 million students and 800 thousand educators every day. Cognia serves as trusted partner in advancing learning for all. Find out more at cognia.org. 

Edison School of Innovation Receives National Recognition from Project Lead The Way for Commitment to Empowering Students

June 11, 2024 — GLENDALE, AZ — Edison School of Innovation has been recognized as a 2023-24 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. This honor is given to a select number of elementary schools across the U.S. for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW Launch, an elementary STEM curriculum. PLTW is a national nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S., aiming to make every child in every grade STEM successful. 

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 had to have more than 75 percent of the student body participating in the program and had to offer at least one PLTW Launch module at each grade level during the 2022-23 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.  

“We are honored to recognize Edison School of Innovation for their commitment to providing students with exceptional educational experiences while ensuring equitable access to PLTW programs,” said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW President and CEO. "We congratulate them on this achievement and celebrate their dedication to empowering students with the knowledge and skills to succeed, not only in STEM subjects, but also preparing them for future careers and life beyond the classroom."

Edison School of Innovation is part of a community comprised of K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and corporate and philanthropic partners across the country united around a commitment to providing students with inspiring, engaging, and empowering learning opportunities. For more information about PLTW’s Distinguished Program Recognition, visit pltw.org/our-programs/program-recognition.  

About Edison School of Innovation

Located in Glendale, AZ, Edison School of Innovation serves students in grades K-8. We cultivate an inclusive learning environment, embracing diversity and providing individualized support to help every student thrive. Our project-based learning approach encourages students to explore and connect various disciplines, fostering creative and courageous problem-solving skills. We prioritize collaboration and community engagement, ensuring teachers, parents, and students have a voice in their education.

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Edison School of Innovation Hosts a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Building

May 13, 2023 — GLENDALE, AZ — Edison School of Innovation will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new facility at 5136 N. 83rd Ave. in Glendale, AZ on May 11, 2024 at 9:00 am.

Edison School of Innovation is moving into a new school home for the 2024/2025 school year.

We are excited to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony as we dedicate our new school campus and celebrate our tuition-free K-8 charter school.

This space will allow Edison to provide more educational opportunities to our students. As Principal Cheryl Rose put it, “This new facility is more than just a building; it's a testament to our dedication to providing an exceptional education for the Edison School of Innovation community.”

We developed our new campus with one goal in mind — the challenging and exciting education of our students in a safe and secure school. The new Edison school campus will feature 22 classrooms, a school garden, a soccer field and basketball court, an outdoor classroom, and a sensory garden. In addition, we are proud to have secure perimeter fencing surrounding the campus and enhanced security features including:

• On-campus School Safety Officer providing immediate response and oversight.

• Strategically placed security cameras providing ongoing surveillance.

• Access Control on all doors, with auto-locking features to prevent unauthorized access.

• Regularly scheduled safety training and drills for all staff members.

  Edison School is grateful to its partners who made our vision for this new school campus a reality: Charter School Development Corporation (CSDC), Waltz Construction, Aries Building Systems, and SPS+ Architects.

Local leaders, parents, students, and school staff members will come together to celebrate this momentous occasion, and will have the opportunity to view the completed school campus. Following Principal Rose's opening remarks, we will hear from distinguished members of the development team and our valued community partners.

About Edison School of Innovation

Located in Glendale, AZ, Edison School of Innovation serves students in grades K-8. We cultivate an inclusive learning environment, embracing diversity and providing individualized support to help every student thrive. Our project-based learning approach encourages students to explore and connect various disciplines, fostering creative and courageous problem-solving skills. We prioritize collaboration and community engagement, ensuring teachers, parents, and students have a voice in their education.

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

January 29, 2024 — GLENDALE, AZ — 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

October 30, 2023 — GLENDALE, AZ — 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

May 6, 2023 — 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

April 10, 2023 — GLENDALE, AZ — 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

January 20, 2023 — GLENDALE, AZ —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

November 16, 2022 — GLENDALE, AZ — 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.

January 22, 2021 — GLENDALE, 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.

Read the Full Article ->

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Edison School Receives PLTW National Recognition for Commitment to Empowering Students

May 5, 2020 — GLENDALE, 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 — GLENDALE, AZ — 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.

Read the Full Article ->

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