XQ Institute

XQ Institute. The XQ Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rethinking and redesigning the American high school experience. Founded in 2015, it operates on the belief that the traditional secondary education model is outdated and must be transformed to meet the demands of the 21st century. The organization provides grants, research, and community support to catalyze systemic change in public education across the United States.

History and founding

The organization was launched in 2015 with a significant philanthropic commitment from Emerson Collective, the organization led by Laurene Powell Jobs. The founding was announced on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" with a national call to action for communities to reimagine high school. Co-founded by Powell Jobs and former U.S. Department of Education official Russlynn Ali, the initiative was conceived as a response to persistent disparities in educational outcomes and a rapidly changing global economy. Its creation was influenced by broader movements for education reform and aimed to challenge conventional structures within the American public school system.

Mission and goals

The primary mission is to challenge and change the foundational design of high schools to ensure all students graduate prepared for future success. Central goals include fostering deeper, more meaningful learning experiences that move beyond rote memorization and standardized testing. The organization advocates for schools that are deeply connected to their communities and that equip students with critical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability. This vision is supported by research into innovative pedagogical approaches and the science of adolescent learning, aiming to close persistent achievement gaps highlighted by institutions like the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

XQ Super School Project

A flagship initiative, the XQ Super School Project, was a nationwide open innovation challenge that invited communities, educators, and students to design new models for high school. The competition awarded multi-million dollar grants to selected teams to build and operate their proposed schools. Notable grant recipients include Círculos in Santa Ana, California, and Washington Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C.. These schools serve as proof-of-concept laboratories, testing models that often emphasize project-based learning, competency-based education, and strong integration of technology. The project has drawn attention from prominent figures in education and philanthropy, including talks featured at events like South by Southwest EDU.

Partnerships and initiatives

The organization collaborates extensively with school districts, state departments of education, and other nonprofits to scale its ideas. Key partnerships have included working with the State of Rhode Island on a statewide high school redesign effort and with The School Superintendents Association (AASA) on leadership development. It also produces extensive public resources, such as the "Knowledge Modules" and research reports, often developed in collaboration with institutions like The University of Chicago. Further initiatives include supporting student voice through programs and forming alliances with media partners like PBS for documentary series such as "The Future of Work" to broaden public discourse on education.

Leadership and organization

The institute is led by Chief Executive Officer Russlynn Ali, a former Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education. Its board and advisory councils include influential leaders from various sectors, such as former Governor of Michigan Jennifer Granholm and renowned scholar Dr. Pedro Noguera. The organization is headquartered in Oakland, California, and operates with a team of educators, researchers, and policy experts. Its structure is designed to function as both a grant-making entity and a research-driven advocacy organization, influencing policy discussions at events like those hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Category:Educational organizations based in the United States Category:Organizations established in 2015 Category:Education reform