In partnership with Digital Promise, Verizon Innovative Learning welcomes five Allentown schools for the 2025-2026 school year
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, the Allentown School District celebrated joining Verizon Innovative Learning—Verizon’s award-winning education initiative, which addresses barriers to digital inclusion—with a kickoff event at South Mountain Middle School, where the school introduced their Student Tech Team, and shared important information with families on how the program will work and what students will receive.
In partnership with Digital Promise, the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program works side-by-side with schools and districts to provide students with internet-connected devices and to enhance how teachers use technology in the classroom, with an ultimate goal of sustainable digital access throughout the school district. Being part of the program will keep students connected, helping to facilitate learning wherever it’s taking place.
In addition to reliable access for every student and teacher, Verizon Innovative Learning Schools also equips each school with a technology coach and provides robust professional development support for teachers to effectively integrate technology into the classroom. Teachers in the program have reported that the initiative allows for more individualized instruction, helps them explore new ways of teaching, and elevates student engagement.
Bridgeview Academy, Harrison-Morton Middle School, Raub Middle School, South Mountain Middle School, and Trexler Middle School are among 34 schools joining Verizon Innovative Learning Schools for the 2025-26 school year, bringing the program’s impact to 660 schools nationwide. A total of 4,470 devices with data plans will be provided to these Allentown schools as part of the program. The market value of Verizon Innovative Learning’s investment is, on average, over $2.3 million per school.
"Increasing access to technology is fundamental to our mission of preparing every student for college, career, and life,” said Dr. Carol D. Birks, Superintendent & Chief Executive Officer of the Allentown School District. “Through Verizon Innovative Learning, we are providing students with the tools to learn anytime, anywhere, while also creating opportunities for innovation, creativity, and collaboration. This initiative directly supports our Strategic Plan, Lighting the Way 2030: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence, by ensuring our students have the skills and confidence to thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world."
Thursday’s kickoff event at South Mountain Middle School featured remarks and demonstrations from administrators and program leaders on how the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program can support academic achievement and lifelong success.
"At Verizon, we all know how critical access to technology and skills development is in today’s digital world,” said Mario Acosta-Velez, Region Senior Director, Verizon Local Engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility. "We are proud to bring Verizon Innovative Learning Schools to Allentown School District and enable students to develop the skills, knowledge, and capabilities to be successful and become the next generation of STEM leaders.”
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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 nearly 9 million students. Verizon Innovative Learning provides free technology, internet access and emerging technology-infused learning programs —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. Learn more at citizenverizon.com.