North Allegheny among 6 Western Pa. districts accepted into League of Innovative Schools

Preparing students for the future by working with some of the most innovative school districts in the nation is one of the advantages that North Allegheny will have as a new member of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools.

North Allegheny joins five other school districts in Western Pennsylvania that recently were accepted into the League of Innovative Schools, a national network of school districts that connects and supports the nation’s most innovative leaders in education.

“It’s just a great opportunity to have North Allegheny connect with forward-thinking school districts across the nation and collaborate,” said Jim Cox, director of technology and innovation for the district.

The League of Innovative Schools equips superintendents and district leaders to help shape the future of teaching and learning through hands-on opportunities, collaborating, connecting and learning from others.

North Allegheny was selected from a competitive national pool of applicants based on its educational leadership, demonstrated commitment to excellence, innovative vision for learning, key achievements and collaborative spirit, according to a Sept. 17 announcement from the North Allegheny School District.

As a member, North Allegheny will have access to cutting-edge technology and innovations, as well as unique pilot programs for new learning and teaching models that benefit educators and students.

Schools in the league also engage in year-round learning collaboratives, regional gatherings and events, national conferences, industry conferences and bi-annual convenings, which may include school visits.

North Allegheny and the other new league members collectively represent 175 districts across 35 states.

Other Western Pennsylvania school districts accepted as new members this year include Blackhawk, Butler Area, East Allegheny, Keystone Oaks and Seneca Valley.

Several districts in the North Hills already were members: Avonworth, Fox Chapel Area, Hampton, Northgate and Shaler Area.

Cox said the application process was intensive, as each applicant needs to demonstrate how it is innovative and willing to share its successes and challenges with other districts.

The membership will benefit teachers and classrooms in the future, Cox said, because education is more than just learning technology from an online video or textbook.

“Innovation has changed,” he said. “Kids have a future that nobody knows what that will be right now.”

Students can benefit from more project-based learning and nontraditional learning spaces for students, he said.

For example, he said, students wouldn’t just learn about the heart: They might build a 3D model of one and be given an opportunity to view an open-heart surgery. It’s important to change the way the classroom works and how students experience education, he said.

This membership gives opportunities for districts to collaborate on ideas like this.

Cox credits the North Allegheny Strategic and Comprehensive Plan, launched in 2024, for guiding the district on planning for the future.

“It has really given us a blueprint of how we move forward,” Cox said.

In 2024, North Allegheny presented at a League of Innovative Schools event in Pittsburgh before becoming a member, he said.

For details about the nonprofit organization, visit digitalpromise.org/league.