From Innovation Schools to an Innovation Zone in Denver, Colorado
The Bridgespan Group’s article, From Innovation Schools to an Innovation Zone in Denver, Colorado, examines how Denver leaders moved from individual Innovation Schools toward a broader Innovation Zone model.
The article is part of a Bridgespan research project on the design features of Innovation Zones across the country, including work in Denver and Springfield. Empower Schools supported the launch of Denver’s Innovation Zone, helping advance a governance model designed to give schools greater flexibility while keeping them connected to public systems.
This resource highlights how Innovation Zones can help districts rethink school governance, autonomy, accountability, and system-level support.
In this resource:
How Denver’s Innovation Zone model developed from earlier Innovation Schools work
What design features support school-level autonomy within a public district system
How governance, accountability, and flexibility can work together
What other communities can learn from early Innovation Zone efforts in Denver and Springfield
Best for: district leaders, state education leaders, policymakers, school leaders, funders, and advocates exploring Innovation Schools, Innovation Zones, school-level autonomy, or public school governance models.
This third-party case study was published by Bridgespan.
