Schools to Learn From
About Schools to Learn From
Schools to Learn From elevates the stories of 3-5 schools annually that are making a profound impact in their communities in a variety of ways. Each selected school hosts a 1.5 to 2-day site visit for up to 40 educators and serves as a learning and innovation lab for participants. Participants learn best practices they can use in their schools immediately while building a network of colleagues who are similarly committed to educational excellence for all students.
Schools to Learn From was on hiatus from 2020 to 2024 due to the impact of the pandemic. The Schools to Learn From program was fully relaunched in the summer of 2024.
We plan on posting the nomination and application form for Schools to Learn From Host Schools for the 2025-2026 school year in late spring of 2025.
“I find the entire STLF community to be a catalyst for some of the most meaningful reflection, PD, and networking that I’ve experienced in my 11+ years as an educator.”
2024-2025 Host Schools
LEAD (Leaders of Excellence, Advocacy and Discovery)
- Location: Bronx, NY
- School Type: District (Grades Pre-K - 6th)
- School Leader: Dr. Alexa Sorden
- Dimension of Excellence: Curriculum, Instruction, and Data Systems
Overview
LEAD (Leaders of Excellence, Advocacy and Discovery) has partnered with Transcend to create an innovative instructional model that prioritizes inquiry based learning across all subjects. The schools’ mission is to cultivate young people who create and LEAD to build a more just life. The school prioritizes joy and learning by upholding high expectations for all students. The curriculum focuses on project based learning and is rooted in creating change.
School Demographics
- 200 Students
- 98% of students identify as BIPOC
- 98% of students receive Free or Reduced Lunch
- 20% of students are English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners
- 20% of students have IEPs
Maureen Joy
- Location: Durham, NC
- School Type: Independent Charter (Grades K-8th)
- School Leaders: Dr. Donnell Cannon, Executive Director (Eastern North Carolina ‘12), and Jeremy Wall, Principal (Eastern North Carolina ‘10)
- Dimension of Excellence: Reimagining School
Overview
Maureen Joy is changing outcomes for students by strategically trying on new systems and structures in a clear and methodical way. With a narrow focus on joy and liberation through learning, Maureen Joy is working to enhance the student experience daily. The school has an in-house research and design lab that is focused on thinking about the way in which systems and structures must adjust to meet student outcomes.
School Demographics
- 650 Students
- 96% of students identify as BIPOC
- 100% of students receive Free and Reduced-Price Lunch
- 25% of students are English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners
- 15% of students have IEPs
Mastery Charter Smedley Elementary
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- School Type: CMO-run Charter (Grades: K-6th)
- School Leaders: Caitlin Murphy, Principal (Houston ‘05)
- Dimension of Excellence: Curriculum, Instruction and Data Systems
Overview
Mastery Charter Smedley’s approach to K-2 literacy is ultimately fueled by a deep sense of trust in the leadership team and strong distributive leadership. The school leaders believe that a strong literacy foundation is crucial for long term student success both academically and for students to achieve their personal goals. Each leadership team member has clear ownership over various aspects of student learning, which allows leaders to be hyper-focused on student success.
School Demographics
- 755 Students
- Percentage of students who identify as:
- 62% Black
- 31% Hispanic
- 4% Multi-racial
- 2% White
- 100% of students receive Free and Reduced-Price Lunch
- 6% of students are English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners
- 30% of students have IEPs
Camelback High School
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- School Type: District (Grades: 9th-12th)
- School Leaders: James Arndt, Principal (Phoenix ‘11)
- Dimension of Excellence: Reimaging School
Overview
Camelback High School has reimagined education to put students on a path toward limitless opportunities and success. The school’s innovative Freshman House provides dedicated support to help students transition smoothly into high school, while an extensive dual enrollment program enables students to earn college credits, expanding their access to higher education and future career paths. Additionally, Camelback is home to Arizona’s first and only public Montessori high school—the Montessori Microschool—where students engage in self-directed learning, cultivating independence, critical thinking, and creativity.
School Demographics
- 2,124 Students
- 93.75% of students identify as BIPOC
- 92% of students receive Free and Reduced-Price Lunch
- 20% of students are English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners
- 21% of students have IEPs
“I didn't need to scour the country to find a school that excelled in what we wanted to achieve—TFA had done the tough work for me! So, I could simply go and learn!”
Past Schools to Learn From
- Location: Nashville, TN
- School Type: Charter (Grades K-4)
- School Leader: Lagra Newman (Los Angeles ‘05)
ENLACE (now Unidos)
- Location: Lawrence, MA
- School Type: District (Grades 9 and 12)
- School Leader: Alison Balter (Massachusetts '10)
- Location: New York, NY
- School Type: District (Grades 1st, 6-8)
- School Leader: Monica Brady (New York ‘94)
- Location: Shafter, CA
- School Type: Charter (Elementary)
- School Leader: Joanna Kendrick (Los Angeles ‘05)
- Location: Chicago, IL
- School Type: Charter (High School)
- School Leader: Emily Mason (St. Louis ‘07)
2018-2019 Host Schools
- Location: New York, NY
- School Leader: Benjamin Lev (New York ‘04)
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Schools
- Location: Kansas City, MO
- School Leader: Hannah Lofthus (New York '07)
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- School Leader: Kari Croft (Los Angeles ‘10)
Science Academy of South Texas
- Location: Mercedes, TX
- School Leader: Dr. Irma Castillo
2017-2018 Host Schools
Acero Esmeralda Santiago School
- Location: Chicago, IL
- School Leader: Melissa Sweazy
Mott Haven Academy Charter School
- Location: Bronx, NY
- School Leader: Jessica Nauiokas (D.C. Region '97)
- Location: Kansas City, MO
- School Leader: Hannah Lofthus (New York '07)
Wharton K-8 Dual Language Academy
- Location: Houston, TX
- School Leader: Jennifer Day (Los Angeles '91)
International High School at Langley Park
- Location: Bladensburg, MD
- School Leader: Carlos Beato
2016-17 Host Schools
Bronx Lighthouse College Prep Academy
- Location: Bronx, NY
- School Leader: Alix Duggins (Mississippi Delta ’10)
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- School Leader: Olumide Macaulay (Los Angeles ’01)
- Location: Chicago, IL
- School Leader: Jennifer Dixon (Chicago ’02)
Lakeland Elementary-Middle School
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- School Leader: Najib Jammal (Baltimore ’03)
2015-2016 Host Schools
- Location: New York, NY
- School Leader: Allison Willis Holley (New York City ’04)
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- School Leaders: Chris Battaglia, Principal; Simon Birenbaum (Baltimore ’05), Assistant Principal
Native American Community Academy
- Location: Albuquerque, NM
- School Leader: Kara Bobroff
- Location: Denver, CO
- School Leader: Sara Gips Goodall (Colorado ’08)
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- School Leader: Joe Manko (Baltimore ’02)
- Location: Hartford, CT
- School Leader: Julie Goldstein (Los Angeles ’90)
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- School Leader: John Kaczorek (New York ’05)
Lighthouse Community Charter School
- Location: East Oakland, CA
- School Leader: Yanira Canizales
Read our snapshot of these four schools.
Get in Touch
Please contact us with any questions.