Innovation in Action: Volume 22
Building What's Next: Opening Doors and Changing Lives
Welcome to Innovation in Action, a one-of-a-kind news brief highlighting transformative voices from the Yass Prize community of awardees. The Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless Education, now in its sixth year, is a rapidly growing effort to find, reward, celebrate, and expand best-in-class education organizations from every sector, in every state, with a commitment to fueling more education entrepreneurs to expand their high-quality organizations and schools.
As our nation celebrates its 250th birthday with the Semiquincentennial celebration, the stories in this volume highlight leaders and organizations preparing the next generation to strengthen our country's future and lead lives of consequence.
Celebrating Young Civic Excellence: Yass Prize Alumni Attend Presidential 1776 Award Finals
Last month, several members of the Yass Prize Alumni network traveled to Washington, D.C. for the National Final of the Presidential 1776 Award for Civics Competition, hosted by the U.S. Department of Education. The event brought together some of the nation’s brightest young civics students as they competed for scholarship prizes totaling $250,000. “As America approaches its 250th birthday, the Presidential 1776 Award is helping inspire a new generation of informed and engaged citizens who understand our Constitution, our history, and the responsibilities of freedom,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
As the nation approaches this milestone celebration, the competition serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of civic education and the promise of America’s next generation of leaders. “The best part was watching students compete on a national platform,” said Portia Green, Principal at Prichard Preparatory School (2022 Semifinalist).
Mercedes Grant, Founder of Path of Life Learning (2025 Finalist) echoed that sentiment, noting, “It was very enjoyable seeing teenagers on stage reciting their knowledge of the foundation of America, including the Constitution and government. As a military spouse, it was a good feeling to be in the building surrounded by patriotism and see young people succeeding in that way.”
Sparking a Renaissance in Catholic Education in the Midwest
As a member of the inaugural Yass Prize cohort, Partnership Schools (2021 Semifinalist) celebrates their sixth year in operation educating Pre-K to 8th grade students. Originally founded in New York City, Partnership Schools has spent more than a decade transforming Catholic schools serving low income communities. Building on that success, the organization has grown their network to Ohio, bringing its proven turnaround model to even more families. There, Partnership Schools expanded from two schools serving 331 students to four schools serving 969 students today. This spring, over 100 8th grade students graduated including Karma, who earned a full high school scholarship to cover $45,000 in tuition in pursuit of her dream to become a neuroanesthesiologist.
Karma’s story reflects the generational impact made for families seeking schools they trust. Her mom shared that she and her husband, neither of whom had the opportunity to finish college, are determined to help their daughter become a first-generation college student and create opportunities they never had themselves. Partnership Schools is proud that 82% of their parents believe their child is moving on to a high school that will help them continue to grow. CEO Kristen Gengaro shares, “for us, that speaks directly to the power of parents having access to schools they trust, the importance of a values-based education, and the lasting foundation our graduates carry with them.”
With Partnership also being a 2025 Yass Prize Alumni Award recipient, the momentum continues with new partnerships with the Dioceses of Toledo and Cleveland, where the organization will assume management of three additional schools with the potential to serve another 400 students. As the network continues to grow, Partnership will leverage a ready supply of choice seats on behalf of working families who want more high-quality, faith-based options right in their neighborhoods - bringing about a new day for more Catholic schools.
Building West Virginia's Workforce with Support from the U.S. Department of Education
As the Dean of High School Programs at the WIN Academy at BridgeValley Community and Technical College (2024 Semifinalist), Jennifer Hurt celebrates another graduating class. This milestone marks more than the end of a school year. WIN highlights a proven pathway that helps West Virginia students accelerate their journey toward college and career success. With a 100% graduation rate and a 100% college or job attainment rate for the past three years, WIN Academy has demonstrated what is possible when students are given opportunities to begin building workforce and college credentials while still in high school.
That momentum is being strengthened by Workforce Pell, which closely aligns with BridgeValley’s mission of expanding access to education and preparing students for in-demand careers. Even after graduation, Workforce Pell has the potential to help these students continue stacking industry credentials and specialized training, reducing the time and cost required to enter high-demand careers and supporting lifelong learning and economic mobility.
💐 Congrats To…
Parents Challenge (2024 Semifinalist) for two of their Colorado Springs graduates having received college scholarships through the Daniels Fund Scholarship Program. The program supports high-achieving, values-driven students from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, offering scholarships for accredited colleges. Students were chosen for their strong character, leadership and commitment to service.
Boddle Learning (2024 Finalist) for making the 2026 North America EdTech 200 list for the second year in a row. This is HolonIQ’s annual list of the most promising edtech companies in the region.
Cafe Momentum (2024 Semifinalist) Founder and CEO, Chad Houser, for being honored as one of the 2026 TIME Visionaries. This list recognizes leaders driving meaningful impact in the lives of children across education, mental health, housing, economic opportunity, and more.
Rural Schools Innovation Zone (2024 Finalist) on year four of students representing RSIZ on a national stage as they participate in the Texas Association of Future Educators national competitive events.
What Yass Prize Alumni Are Writing About in Forbes
Whether you’re curious about what it really costs when Black teachers leave the classroom, how Florida districts are rethinking public-private school partnerships, or what AI is quietly teaching kids that schools can’t see, we’ve got a Forbes piece from a Yass Prize alum to carry you into the long weekend. Happy reading, and Happy Fourth of July!
STOP for Education is an initiative focused on developing and expanding the transformational impact of Yass Prize awardees and partners who are dedicated to the four core STOP principles - Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless education. This publication, Innovation in Action, features the latest from best-in-class education providers.
Follow along STOP for Education on X @edreform. Learn more about STOP for Education and CER’s initiatives here.