Building Hope

The moment is here! 🎉

We’re proud to announce the Top 5 winners of the 2026 Future Forward Schools Prize & Fellowship Program.

Selected from more than 150 applications across 36 states and Guam, these schools are leading the way with innovative approaches that help students connect learning to real-world opportunities and meaningful next steps.

🏆Comp Sci High, New York, NY (Comp Sci High
🏆New Mexico School for the Arts, Santa Fe, NM (New Mexico School for the Arts
🏆UP Academy Dorchester, Boston, MA ()
🏆Utica Shale Academy of Ohio, Salineville, OH
🏆Old Brook High School Parma Campus, Parma, OH ()

Each of these schools represents what’s possible when strong ideas, dedicated leadership, and a clear vision come together to prepare students for the future.

We’re honored to recognize their work and support their continued impact through the Future Forward Schools Prize & Fellowship Program, in partnership with . Britebound applauds these 5 schools that are creating bold career-connected learning models and helping students connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities.

👏 Congratulations to this year’s winners!

Learn more: https://ow.ly/4qV450YXGFt

Running a school takes more than strong academics.

Behind every thriving school is a foundation of smart systems, sound financial practices, and operational clarity.

When those pieces are in place, leaders can spend less time on administrative challenges, and more time where it matters most: students.

Swipe through for a few key areas every school should be thinking about

What a week at ASU+GSV. ⚛️ The Building Hope team had an incredible time connecting with leaders across education, innovation, and edtech, all focused on expanding opportunity for students nationwide.

Our President and CEO, Bill Hansen, took the stage alongside Governor Eric J. Holcomb for a powerful conversation on leadership, public service, and the values that drive meaningful impact. He also led “Laying the Tracks — The Modern Infrastructure Powering Multiple Choice,” bringing together leaders committed to building the systems schools need to thrive.

Building Hope Impact Fund proudly sponsored the “Multiple Choice” track and it was great to spend time with our partners at Britebound advancing the Future Forward Schools program and the next generation of innovative career connected school models.

Allison Serafin joined an insightful session, “A New Wave of School Innovation: The Promise and Perils of Being a New School Entrepreneur,” exploring how microschools and emerging models are reshaping education and what it takes to build and sustain them.

A special congratulations to the one and only Jean Eddy on receiving a well-deserved lifetime achievement award!

Grateful for the conversations, the partnerships, and the momentum ahead.

We’re heading to the ASU GSV Summit, where this year’s theme of fusion brings together leading voices across edtech, innovation, and education. ⚛️

We’re especially excited to see our President and CEO, Bill Hansen, take the stage at the FusionX Monday Lunch alongside Governor Eric Holcomb for a conversation on leadership, public service, and the values that drive meaningful impact.

Later that day, Bill will moderate “Laying the Tracks — The Modern Infrastructure Powering Multiple Choice,” bringing together leaders building the systems and infrastructure needed to expand opportunity for students nationwide.

If you’re attending , we hope to see you there.

The fastest-growing schools in America don’t look like they used to and that’s not by accident.

Across the country, educators are stepping into entrepreneurship, building microschools, hybrid models, and new learning environments designed around what students actually need. Families are asking for more flexibility, more personalization, and more relevance and school models are evolving to meet that moment.

At , Building Hope Impact Fund Vice President Allison Serafin will join the conversation in “A New Wave of School Innovation: The Promise and Perils of Being a New School Entrepreneur,” exploring what it truly takes to build, grow, and sustain new school models.

If you’re attending, join us for this important conversation.