They Called Us Crazy,
But Now we're doing it

We've got the data to prove it, and we're just getting started.

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"As a middle schooler, we’re still trying to figure out what we want to do in life as an adult. Having people come out (to be examples of what you can do and what you can make) is a big process in helping us learn more about real-world life situations."

Nickita. W.

7th Grade, American Way MS

“If you don’t believe that it can happen, you’re almost guaranteed that it won’t.”

Deartris Barber, IZone Principal
Grandview Heights Middle SchoI

With the mindset, “what would need to be true” to make student success occur in the IZone, school leaders and central level staff have been able to think outside of the box to formulate strategies that will support student achievement.

Through empowerment afforded by the Federal Government, Tennessee Department of Education and the Shelby County Schools Board of Education, the Innovation Zone is able to prescribe the necessary support and resources.

Through the support of the philanthropic community, state and federal grants and Shelby County Schools, the IZone is able to expand educational opportunities for students in underserved communities.

Our Successes

The goal of the IZone is to move students from the bottom 5% to the top 25% in five years. We focus all of our efforts on that single goal. Since the IZone’s inception in 2012, we’ve had great successes in reaching that goal to drastically improving student achievement in low-performing schools.

Is Your School Becoming an IZone School?

IZone 2.0 High School Graduations (2023)

IZone Video Montage

IZone Olympics and Academics Ceremony
(May 11, 2023)

Principals from Zones 9, 10, 11, and 12 participated in the final Olympics and Academics Ceremony of the 2022-2023 school year. During each
ceremony, principals in each zone were awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for the following categories:

Common Formative Assessment Data