School District of Philadelphia
We're supporting the School District of Philadelphia to ensure every student experiences engaging, rigorous math instruction, so that they can build the skills and confidence needed for future success.
Pioneering the Future of Math
The School District of Philadelphia is committed to preparing students to imagine and achieve any future they desire. Leaders know that achieving this vision requires strong instructional leadership, clear expectations for teaching and learning, and systems that support educators in improving their practice together.
Through Accelerate Philly: The Playbook for Schools, the district is building that foundation. Drawing upon the “Curriculum Implementation Blueprint” it co-created with the district, Leading Educators is now supporting 30 math “Pioneer Schools” across multiple networks to develop the conditions and capacity needed for high-quality instructional materials, such as Illustrative Mathematics, to enable consistent, high-quality math learning across classrooms.
The School District of Philadelphia’s Pioneer Schools are using the power of aligned curriculum, leadership, and professional learning to strengthen math instruction across Pioneer Schools.
The partnership aligns leadership expectations, professional learning, and improvement routines with the district’s Accelerate Philly strategy.
Launch structures include leader convenings, classroom walkthroughs, interviews, and conditions surveys to understand school needs and guide the work.
Teachers participate in 10-week professional learning cycles focused on priority instructional practices aligned to Illustrative Mathematics.
Shared learning sessions throughout the year model lesson planning, rehearsal, and facilitation routines that teachers apply directly to upcoming instruction.
Instructional Leadership Teams receive bi-monthly coaching to strengthen their ability to lead adult learning within schools.
ILTs practice planning collaborative learning sessions, analyzing student work, conducting co-observations, and guiding teams through instructional improvement cycles.
Over time, Pioneer Schools are developing the leadership capacity and improvement routines needed to sustain and continually adapt high-quality instruction.
These schools serve as demonstration sites for Accelerate Philly, offering concrete examples of how aligned leadership, curriculum, and professional learning support consistent math instruction.
Early Success Signals
After the initial launch year, we’re seeing inspiring signs of progress.
Instructional focus in PLCs
with teams centering conversations on lesson purpose, discourse, and high-leverage instructional indicators.
Greater alignment
with classrooms increasingly showing clearer lesson purpose, stronger routines, and better alignment between activities and learning goals.
Intentional use of data
with teams beginning to use robust evidence and student work to guide planning, reflection, and instructional adjustments.
Instructional focus in PLCs
with teams centering conversations on lesson purpose, discourse, and high-leverage instructional indicators.
Greater alignment
with classrooms increasingly showing clearer lesson purpose, stronger routines, and better alignment between activities and learning goals.
Intentional use of data
with teams beginning to use robust evidence and student work to guide planning, reflection, and instructional adjustments.
Learn About Other Partnerships
The School District of Philadelphia is one of a dozen partnerships across the country that are pushing the boundaries of what schools can offer students. Learn more about how we customize our supports to meet the needs and strengths of visionary districts.
