LEAP Innovations
Accelerator
piloting what works to optimal scaling
The LEAP Innovations Accelerator is a yearlong cohort-based program.
*Formerly known as Pilot Network, the new name reflects the acceleration of progress that teams make on their personalized, student-centered learning vision and school improvement goals.
Using a design cycle, forward-thinking school teams design, pilot, and scale innovative approaches to student-centered learning. They learn strategies to lead change that improves the learner experience. The focus is sustainable school improvement on priorities defined by each school. The goal is transformation that activates the boundless potential within every learner so they will thrive in learning, work, and life.
The Chicagoland Accelerator ~ in person, for schools in Chicago and surrounding areas. Application
The Virtual Accelerator ~ virtual, for schools anywhere in the U.S. outside of the Chicago area.
Your Own Accelerator ~ in person or virtual, a customized cohort for larger districts, networks, or regional units
Find out why the LEAP Innovations Accelerator is for you!
What Is the LEAP Accelerator Program?
Identify your own Opportunity of Practice, aligned directly to your goals/school improvement plan
Use Design Thinking to prototype and test learning solutions tailored to your students' specific needs
Explore vetted EdTech tools aligned to your Opportunity of Practice to consider a pilot in your school
Receive expert LEAP coaching and feedback throughout ideation, design, and implementation
Join a national community of educators who are transforming teaching and learning — together
Accelerate progress on your vision of student-centered learning and improved outcomes
This professional learning opportunity may be eligible for federal title funds and other federal and state funds. And scholarship funds may be available to defray costs of participation, thanks to our generous funders.
Explore the Chicagoland Accelerator
Watch this info session recording to find out how the Chicagoland LEAP Accelerator helps schools make progress on their CIWP and SIP.
We have room for 1-2 more school teams in the 2026-2027 Chicagoland Accelerator, and encourage all interested schools to apply.
Explore the Virtual Accelerator
Watch this info session recording to find out how the virtual LEAP Accelerator brings school teams from across the country together, providing structure and guidance to accelerate progress on your student-centered learning goals.
Your Own Accelerator
Let us bring the Accelerator to you! We partner with districts, networks, and regional systems to design an Accelerator for your schools that follows the same proven approach of the LEAP Accelerator but aligns directly to your professional learning programming. Contact us to learn more.
Opportunities of Practice
The LEAP Innovations Accelerator is research-based and educator-proven to accelerate progress on your highest priority goals—whether it’s math and ELA instruction, chronic absenteeism, AI literacy, student engagement and agency, or something else.
Examples from Participating School Teams
💫 44% of 5th-8th graders do not feel they receive feedback to help them improve
How might we use real-time data to transform feedback and assessment from an evaluative tool used on students into a daily collaborative practice to empower students to track their own learning progress?
💫 Shifting teacher mindsets toward standards-based grading
How might we transition to a standards-based grading model that accurately captures student growth and identity, while leveraging our collective teacher expertise to streamline the differentiation required by the curriculum?
💫 Supporting EL high school students in core instruction
How might we design learning experiences that address the wide range of learners in our classrooms, providing appropriate language support for EL students while also leveraging the strengths of lessons that already exist?
💫 K-8 Math
How might we create a math culture where students see their growth through curiosity, problem-solving, and meaningful progress across grade levels?
💫10th-12th Advisory
How might we redesign the advisory experience to provide continuous opportunities that empower students to build their identity as valued learners within the school community?
The LEAP Accelerator | Join a Community of Innovators!
Design, Pilot, and Scale Sustainably
Implement personalized learning practices to address school improvement priorities.
Transform Student-Teacher Relationships
Accelerate learning and growth by personalizing interactions.Incorporate Emerging Technologies
Evaluate and integrate innovative AI and EdTech solutions. Access EdTech product licenses.Professional Learning & Coaching
Earn up to 35+ ISBE PD hours.Leadership Training
Develop skills in personalized learning, change management, and team leadership.Comprehensive Support
Benefit from ongoing qualitative and quantitative feedback from experienced LEAP coaches. Access the LEAP Learning Framework, LEAP Learner Engagement Survey, and more.
LEAP Innovations Accelerator
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LEAP Innovations Accelerator ~
Reflections | Leaders reported…
Impact | Participants said…
“It’s been different because it’s not just theory—it’s hands-on, immersive, and directly tied to real classroom challenges. Instead of being handed a pre-packaged solution, we’ve had the opportunity to build, test, and refine ideas that actually fit our school’s unique needs. The ongoing coaching, the ability to tweak and iterate in real time, and the focus on teacher agency have made all the difference. I’ve watched my teachers grow while taking on meaningful, innovative work—and we’ve felt fully supported along the way.
If you are serious about making meaningful changes in how your school approaches learning, the Pilot Network is the place to be because it provides far more than tools—it provides a process, a mindset, and a support system to create something incredible.”
–Jeff Finelli, Principal of Edison Park Elementary
Read the article.
“What we saw in one year’s time—we saw an increase in both literacy and math; we saw an increase in attendance, a decrease in our chronically absent students.”
-Lisa Epstein, Principal of Lee Elementary Schools
“If there’s something that you’ve been deprioritizing, and you know you need support, and you know it’s going to improve student outcomes, to me it’s a no-brainer to sign up for the [Accelerator].”
-Ami Gandhi, Founder & Chief Learning Officer, Intrinsic Schools
Watch the video.
