Partners In School Innovation
renewing the promise of public education
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Our Approach


Who We Are and What We Believe

Founded 16 years ago by a McKinsey & Co. partner, Partners in School Innovation serves public school districts in the Bay Area with a systematic approach to accelerate achievement, especially in African American, Latino and English Learner students in low-performing schools. We prioritize elementary school literacy and our distinction from other education reform organizations is that we work side-by-side with our clients to build the capacity of existing human capital at multiple levels of the educational system (from the classroom to the district office).

We believe a flourishing democracy and economy require an educated populace. As educators, we believe that routinely underserved African American, Latino and English Learner students deserve to be highly educated, prepared to excel in college and equipped with the skills they need to become thriving and productive members in the 21st century.

We are committed to helping our students master the literacy and language skills they need to be at grade level in elementary school so that they are on track to succeed in middle school, high school and beyond.

What Distinguishes Us

  • Implementation Partnership. We work side-by-side with districts and schools in 3-5 year partnerships-we are not simply short-term consultants, coaches or trainers.
  • Focus on Existing Human Capital. While others work to seek new talent for schools, we work to build the capacity of leaders and teachers who represent the overwhelming majority in the system - those already on the front lines, facing challenges for which they are typically underprepared.
  • Data-Driven, Results-Oriented Continuous Improvement. We build the capacity of leaders and teachers to use data to set goals, plan, implement, assess, reflect and adjust in a cycle of continuous inquiry in order to build improved systems, practices and habits of mind that will accelerate student achievement.
  • Sustainable Systems Change. We bring cutting-edge tools and build core knowledge and skills at multiple levels-in district leaders, principals, mid-level leaders and teachers-to ensure best practices in curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional development are aligned, embedded and sustained across the system.

What We Do: Our Core Service Model

Our Core Service Model is our highest-impact program and service, built upon a strong foundation of theory and research, as well as over 15 years of practice as an organization. It is designed to transform leadership, teaching and learning in chronically low-performing public schools. In our model, we do three important things:

1. We build a strong core instructional program in literacy and English language development that ensures that all students learn at high levels

2. We create an integrated system for professional learning so that all teachers are able to deliver excellent instruction

3. We strengthen results-oriented leadership so that leaders can carry out the daily actions necessary to successfully lead whole school improvement efforts

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROGRAM DELIVERY AND APPROACH