In partnership with Digital Promise, the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program welcomes William Allen High School & DIeruff High School to the newest cohort
Allentown, PA– Today, the Allentown School District expands its partnership with the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program, Verizon’s award-winning education initiative that empowers students and teachers with the tools they need to unlock their full potential and feel confident in today’s digital economy.
In partnership with Digital Promise, the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program works side-by-side with schools and districts to provide internet-connected and innovative STEM learning programs so students can excel. Being part of the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program will keep students connected, helping facilitate learning wherever it’s taking place.
William Allen High School and Dieruff High School are among the 33 new schools joining the 13th cohort of Verizon Innovative Learning Schools, bringing the program’s reach to 693 in 126 districts across the country.
Participating schools receive free tablets with accompanying Verizon data plans for every student and teacher beginning in fall 2026. In addition to reliable access for every student and teacher, the partnership equips each school with a full-time technology coach and provides robust professional development support for teachers to effectively integrate technology into the classroom.
“The expansion of Verizon Innovative Learning into all of our secondary schools is a pivotal milestone in advancing the Allentown School District Strategic Plan, particularly our commitment to cultivating modern learning environments and providing high-quality instruction,” said Dr. Carol D. Birks, Superintendent/Chief Executive Officer. “We have already seen the transformative power of this partnership within our first cohort of schools, where the integration of Supervisors of Instructional Technology and 1:1 devices has significantly increased student engagement and leveled the playing field. By scaling this success to Allen and Dieruff High Schools, we are ensuring that every student has the tools and the digital fluency necessary to excel in a competitive, technology-driven world.”
"As technology continues to evolve, it is more important than ever that we equip students and teachers with digital competencies through meaningful instruction using technology,” said Donna Epps, Chief Responsible Business Officer at Verizon. “We are thankful to continue our partnership with Digital Promise to welcome the 33 additional schools to the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program, and enable new ways of learning.”
Verizon Innovative Learning is driving improvements in the classroom. In fact, 85 percent of teachers said the program enhanced their ability to differentiate instruction, and 84 percent said the program makes learning fun for students.
Learn more about Verizon Innovative Learning Schools at verizon.digitalpromise.org.
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About Verizon Innovative Learning
Verizon Innovative Learning, Verizon’s award-winning education initiative, is celebrating over a decade of commitment to addressing barriers to digital inclusion for students and teachers. Since 2012, the program has committed over $1 billion in market value to support digital equity, reaching over 9 million students. Verizon Innovative Learning provides free technology, internet access and emerging technology-infused learning programs to students in under-resourced communities—enabling students to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to build an innovative workforce of the future. In 2021, Verizon launched Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, a next-gen online education portal that provides free access to immersive extended reality (XR) educational experiences to all educators, including K–12 teachers, nationwide. A key program under the company’s responsible business plan, Verizon Innovative Learning is helping to achieve the company’s goal to provide 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030.