Innovation zones offer educator-driven, tailored educational experiences within the public school system, blending autonomy, accountability, and essential district services in pursuit of equitable, high quality success for students.
Innovation zones were founded on a simple idea - giving educators and schools more autonomy allows them the flexibility to better meet students’ needs.
Innovation Zones address challenges within the public education system by emphasizing student outcomes, teacher empowerment, and community insight. With freedom from typical district constraints, these zones of public schools prioritize:
Proven by 2022's CMAS data, Denver's Innovation Zones surpass both district and charter schools
Colorado’s innovation schools fall between district-run schools, which are the least autonomous, and charter schools, which are the most.
Innovation Zones are groupings of public schools unified by a common vision and flexibility. Pooling resources and expertise, they're governed by a nonprofit board, which includes educators and community leaders. While working under a district agreement, innovation zones waive certain rules and choose which district services to leverage. The idea is that giving schools and educators more autonomy allows them flexibility to better meet students’ needs.
Key Features:
Denver currently has two Innovation Zones comprised of nine innovation schools (23/24 SY). While each Zone is unique, they share the belief that those closest to the students are the ones best equipped to make decisions about resources and manage their schools and classrooms.
Meet the Zones
2022 marked a significant advancement for Innovation Zones in Colorado. With Lyra’s backing, Senate Bill 22-197 was passed. This legislation, focusing on innovation zones with alternative governance, sets a transparent and equitable procedure for resolving conflicts between local school boards and Innovation Zone schools. This legislation builds on the original 2008 Innovation Schools Act
Building off of the work of local funder Gates Family Foundation, since 2019 Lyra has supported the ideation, launch, and sustaining of three innovation zones within Denver Public Schools and led the drafting and passing of rights-protecting legislation in Colorado.
We advance the policy conditions necessary for Innovation Zones to thrive through protective legislation like Senate Bill 22-197.
We elevate success stories, advocate with regional and state leaders, and foster community understanding.
We ensure Innovation Zones’ financial sustainability and assist with fundraising efforts.
We promote the concepts of innovation and protected autonomies statewide.
We advocate for and serve as a strategic thought partner to Denver's Innovation Zone leaders.
Innovation Zones have demonstrated the power of a different kind of public school governance model to support the success of young people.
Interested in exploring whether this model might make sense for your education community?
