Our Story

The Office of New School Models is committed to designing innovative, evidence-based educational models and systems for a diverse student body.

How Does this Come About…?

The Office of New School Models conducts participatory research among students, families, educators, and community members in Philadelphia to learn how we can collectively improve high schools to more effectively meet student needs and to ensure all students leave high school adequately prepared for college, career, and life. As we deepen our understanding of the needs, wants, and obstacles students and families face, we draw on these insights and perspectives of parents, educators, and community members to help shape the design of new District school models.

Our office also conducts research nationwide on the most promising evidence-based design elements of high-performing schools that will help inform and shape new school designs. We believe the implementation of new evidence-based school models, whether as new schools or as transformations of existing schools, will play a key role in ensuring all learners are adequately supported and prepared for college, career, and citizenship.

How We Began:

From Superintendent William Hite’s Action Plan 3.0: “Making schools great requires investments in evidence-based strategies that have worked here and in similar urban settings.” The Office of New School Models builds from research on highly effective schools to compile best practices that can be shared with educators and school leaders in the District.

In 2013, The School District of Philadelphia became one of four districts nationwide to be awarded the Opportunity by Design Challenge grant, which has provided critical funding and technical assistance to support research and new school design efforts for the District. As part of the Call for Quality School Designs program, the Office of New School Models invites proposals to design and open innovative, evidence-based new schools.

The Call for Quality is an opportunity for educators and innovators to put advances in research, technology, and instructional practice to work in support of ensuring equitable access to high quality education for all students in Philadelphia.