NewSchools Venture Fund

Public education in the United States was envisioned as a great equalizer: a way for every child, regardless of circumstance, to have a fair chance at a fulfilling life. In practice, however, that vision was never fully realized or universally extended. Frances Messano examines what purpose public education serves in a diverse democracy under strain.

Fewer, higher-quality AI tools aligned with evidence on effective instruction can better support reading and math. Implementation and coherence matter: well-integrated tools can accelerate learning, while poorly aligned ones can fragment instruction.

An invitation to ideas These are not normal times. The work to build new solutions in education cannot be normal either. We’ve joined together because we recognize the extraordinary possibilities in the moments ahead to build something better, especially for the kids who’ve gotten the least. And because, when change moves fast, those students are […]

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In education, we’re often told we have to choose. Academic excellence or student well-being. Innovation or proven practice. Serving some students well or serving all students well. The schools we’re featuring in our new case study series prove those tradeoffs are false. They show that with strategic focus, authentic community partnership, and a commitment to continuous improvement, schools can de…

Discussions about the promise of AI in K-12 education are everywhere. Personalized learning. Instant feedback. Better outcomes at scale. But when it comes to helping students succeed in math, the reality is more complicated — and the solutions are far less mature.

AI is one of the most talked-about — and least understood — technologies in K-12 education today. While some see it as a silver bullet and others as a threat, NewSchools is taking a different stance: grounded optimism.

Couldn’t attend Summit 2025 — or want to revisit your favorite moments? You can now watch full recordings of every mainstage and breakout session, along with presentation slides and two special videos that capture the energy of the event.

In the weeks since NewSchools Summit, I’ve been reflecting on a question that came up again and again: What does it look like to lead with courage in this moment? More often, it looks like the quiet resilience of education leaders showing up every day to do the work, even when the path forward is anything but clear.

Education is at a crossroads. Schools are facing tough decisions, policies are shifting rapidly, and recent data has uncovered an urgent opportunity for us to better support students in building the skills they need to succeed. For all of us to meet this moment, we must show bold leadership, decisive action, and a commitment to delivering results.

In this report, you’ll get a snapshot of our impact in 2024: new investments, updates on how ventures improve student outcomes and scale their reach, and an overview of how NewSchools amplifies what’s working in education.