XQ Institute

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XQ Institute
FormationSeptember 2015
FoundersLaurene Powell Jobs
Russlynn Ali
HeadquartersOakland, California, U.S.[1]
CEO
Russlynn Ali
Websitexqsuperschool.org

XQ Institute is an Oakland, California-based nonprofit organization that develops programs to improve high school education in the United States.[2] The institute began with XQ: The Super School Project, to identify new ideas to reform schools and improve student performance.[3][4]

The organization was founded in September 2015 by Laurene Powell Jobs and Russlynn Ali.[3] XQ Institute's Board includes Marc Ecko, Yo-Yo Ma, Geoffrey Canada, Jimmy Iovine, and Michael Klein.

History[edit]

XQ Institute was founded in September 2015 by Laurene Powell Jobs and Russlynn Ali, former assistant secretary of civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education.[3][1] The institute was funded by Emerson Collective, an advocacy organization created by Jobs to fund philanthropic projects.[5] XQ Institute was founded with the goal of changing the high school model, seen as being obsolete.[2] The launch coincided with the announcement of a $50 million competition to redesign American public high schools, with funds to be awarded to build five new schools.[2]

In May 2016, the program launched a traveling yellow school bus with an interactive display that allowed students to share suggestions for improving high schools.[3] In September, ten schools were selected to receive $10 million each, out of 700 applicants.[6]

In September 2017, XQ Institute launched EIF Presents: XQ Super School Live, a one-hour telecast on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. The show featured Ringo Starr, Tom Hanks, Common, Samuel L. Jackson, Justin Timberlake, and Jennifer Hudson.[7][8]

In October 2019, XQ Institute partnered with New York City charitable organization Robin Hood Foundation to donate $16 million to help open new and restructured public schools in the city.[9] The NY Times reported at the time that XQ: The Super School Project had given out more than $100 million in grants to help teams of students and educators implement ideas for new high schools.[9]

In March 2020, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo and state Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green announced at the State House that two schools, Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts and Ponaganset High School, were each getting $500,000 grants from XQ to find ways to improve modern high schools.[10] In May, XQ partnered with Los Angeles-based Entertainment Industry Foundation to host "Graduate Together", a virtual graduation for 2020 high school graduates, hosted by NBA star LeBron James, and featuring video appearances from celebrities including Barack Obama, Jonas Brothers and Pharrell Williams.[11]

Programs[edit]

XQ Institute's XQ:The Super School Project hosts a contest for new education ideas, and selects winners for funding awards.[3] Representatives from schools that are selected become part of XQ's “community of practice,” designed for schools to exchange successful ideas with education researchers.[10] As of 2018, almost 700 schools across the United States had applied for XQ grants.[12]

The institution also hosts the XQ Yearbook, a digital yearbook for high school students, teachers and others to share their ideas and experiences, with submissions tied to XQ's funding for mental health.[13] The organization also hosted a national contest along with civic engagement group For Freedoms for students to design visual art illustrating their vision for high school for the next generation.[14]

Organization[edit]

XQ Institute is headquartered in Oakland, California.[1] It is funded by the Emerson Collective, and its CEO is Russlynn Ali.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Yo-Yo Ma plays with local pop band at Oakland block party". The Mercury News. October 1, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "$50-million effort launched to reinvent the American high school". LA Times. September 16, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Students challenged to create the 'super high school' of the future". USA Today. May 24, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  4. ^ "Rethink Class: New Ideas for High School Educators". U.S. News & World Report. September 25, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  5. ^ "Laurene Powell Jobs Commits $50 Million to Create New High Schools". The NY Times. September 14, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  6. ^ "Ten U.S. "Super Schools" awarded $10M each for reimagining education". CBS News. September 15, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  7. ^ "Common and Tom Hanks among stars of 'Super School Live' special". USA Today. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  8. ^ Helman, Peter (2017-09-09). "Watch U2, Justin Timberlake, Ringo Starr, DJ Khaled, Kelly Clarkson & More On XQ Super School Live Special". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  9. ^ a b "Laurene Powell Jobs and Robin Hood Fund Give $16 Million for N.Y. Schools". The NY Times. October 3, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Two R.I. high schools win $500,000 grants from XQ Institute". The Providence Journal. March 11, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  11. ^ "Watch Live: LeBron James Hosts Star-Studded Virtual 'Graduate Together' Event for Class of 2020". Hollywood Reporter. May 16, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  12. ^ "PSI High, Seminole's answer to boring schools, engages students with hands-on lessons". Orlando Sentinel. September 20, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  13. ^ "Watch Trombone Shorty, Dee-1, Tank Ball, BMike in new music video for graduating seniors". NOLA.com. June 22, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  14. ^ "Two local high schoolers design billboards now on display in Buffalo". WIVB. February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.

External links[edit]

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