The Innovative Schools Fellowship (ISF) is a two-year incubator that supports future St. Louis school founders as they design and launch a new innovative school, or open an autonomous LEA under an existing national or local charter.
During the fellowship, fellows work with parents and community members to design and launch world-class schools while receiving a full salary and benefits.
Sign up to receive Innovative Schools Fellowship updates:
What to Expect:
- Two year incubator program with salary and benefits
- Access to world-class capacity builders and executive coaching
- Visits to exceptional schools across the country
- Residencies at high-quality schools
- Co-designing a quality public school with the community
- Pilot programs to pressure test school ideas
“The Opportunity Trust’s support allowed us to build a school model based on families’ needs that is also backed by proven approaches we learned from research and relationships with world-class school leaders.” – Colby Heckendorn, School Founder
Founders: Colby Heckendorn & Genevieve Backer
Model: A Community Lab School
National Models Studied: Citizens of the World & New Schools San Francisco
Grades Served: K-5
Established: 2021
“The more I engage with our founding student leaders and their families, the more sure I am that The Leadership School’s model and approach will offer a space where young people can explore their authentic interests and cultivate the leaders within themselves.” – Kimberly Townsend, School Founder
Founder: Kimberly Townsend
Model: Leader In Me: Sense of Belonging -> Rigorous Academics -> Authentic Student Leadership
National Models Studied: Leader In Me
Grades Served: K-5
Established: 2022
St. Louis Voices Academy of Media Arts
“Three years ago, The Opportunity Trust took a chance on me and said, we are looking for individuals who reimagine education. I didn’t think I was a person, but I had a vision. They said, we’re going to support you while you do it. And they did exactly that.” – Dr. Hollie Russell-West, School Founder
Founder: Hollie Russell-West
Model: Learning through media arts and storytelling
Grades Served: K-5
Established: 2023
“I want to help my community create generational wealth, as an educator I know this starts with closing the education achievement gap and providing students that look like me access and exposure to opportunities that will change the trajectory of their lives.” – Kimberly Neal-Brannum, School Founder
Founder: Kimberly Neal-Brannum
Model: Workforce Development -> Real-World Learning -> Health Sciences career pipeline
Grades Served: 9-12
Established: 2024