In 2014, Henry County Schools (HCS) in Georgia won a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in order to support and expand the personalized learning initiatives in their 51 schools across the district.

Inquiry Schools has been working with HCS since June of 2014 to help them make both the systemic and curricular changes to achieve their goal of bringing innovation to every building.

The schools have been divided into several cohorts, which go through the planning and implementation phases in waves. According to Inquiry Schools Managing Director Diana Laufenberg, the first phase of the work “helps teachers and administrators investigate the different ways personalized learning can manifest itself in their schools, and help them rethink the school-based structures so as to assist the process instead of provide barriers.”

Inquiry Schools is pleased to announce the founding of a new learning environment: Science Leadership Academy Middle School (SLAMS).

The school is being founded in partnership with Drexel University and the School District of Philadelphia and will serve as a feeder middle school for Samuel Powel Elementary, serving the Powelton Village, West Powelton, and Mantua neighborhoods.

SLA Principal Lehmann is excited about the ongoing work with a university partner.

“Drexel has a deep commitment to its neighborhood, and believes in being a good neighbor,” he explained. “Bringing the resources and expertise to of Drexel for public schools will be a win for everyone — the students in this school, and the teachers and students at Drexel who will be able to bring their own knowledge and skills to the table.”