LEAP Innovations

What LEAP Innovations does

LEAP Innovations is a 501c3 nonprofit education transformation organization headquartered in Chicago, founded in 2014 by Phyllis Lockett. It serves K-12 schools, districts, and education support organizations across 24 states, working alongside educators to implement personalized, student-centered learning and to integrate AI and emerging technologies responsibly. The organization reports 450+ school and district partners since 2013 and 65,000+ students impacted during the 2025-2026 school year.

LEAP's product platform centers on the trademarked LEAP Learning Framework™, the LEAP Learner Engagement Survey (a research-validated instrument administered at 400+ schools across 20 states), the AIM AI Integration & Planning Compass™ decision-support tool, and the Convergence Framework for district change. Service programs include the Pilot Network and Accelerator cohort-based professional learning engagements (10-12 months), the Modern Learning Network, the AI Education Network, and the EdTech Design Collective which curates a vetted network of 200+ EdTech companies. The organization does not build AI models itself but enables AI adoption in classrooms by curating partner tools (MagicSchool, Amira Learning, Snorkl, Medley, Socrait, ASSISTments, PowerMyLearning).

Revenue mechanics are hybrid: subscription/recurring cohort fees (with Pilot Network/Accelerator programs eligible for Title I, Title IV, and other federal and state funding), per-site survey licensing starting at $1,500 with district and enterprise tiers, annual EdTech membership tiers (Basic/Growth/Premium), and philanthropic support from corporate and nonprofit funders. Distribution is via direct enterprise field sales to schools and districts, supplemented by field leadership network partnerships (EALA, America's Promise, America Forward) and regional AI Coalition convenings. The organization operated with 11-50 employees, including a leadership team of approximately 15, and merged with Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) in March 2026 to form a unified organization retaining the LEAP Innovations name.

Name

LEAP Innovations

Legal name

LEAP Innovations

Website

https://leapinnovations.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LEAP Innovations is a Chicago-based 501c3 nonprofit that partners with K-12 schools and districts across 24 states to implement personalized learning through research-validated frameworks, cohort-based professional learning programs, and curated EdTech and AI integration services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Consulting and Professional Learning Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Adaptive Learning & Personalized Instruction Software (EDAJAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Curriculum, Lesson Planning & Instructional Content Platforms (EDAJAMAD), Competency/Skills Analytics & Learning Progression Mapping (EDAFAFAF), Institutional & Program Analytics (Enrollment, Retention, Outcomes) (EDAFAFAK), Virtual Test Prep & Online Supplemental Instruction (K–12) (EDAJADAI), AI/ML Learning Platforms for Students (EDAFANAE)

Keywords

• Personalized learning
• K-12 education services
• Professional development
• Education consulting
• AI in education

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Learning & Capacity Building: Cohort-based professional learning programs for school teams including the Pilot Network and Accelerator. Programs run 10-12 months with coaching, professional development, and implementation support.
2. AI Education Network Services: Flexible consulting and service packages including Roadmap, Guidebook Design, AI Pilot Support, PD Workshops, AI Fellowship, and Coalition participation for schools and districts integrating AI into teaching and learning.
3. LEAP Learner Engagement Survey: Per-site survey licensing with pricing starting at $1,500 per site. District subscription options available for system-wide rostering and multi-year tracking. Enterprise pricing for large implementations.
4. Modern Learning Network: Professional learning and strategic leadership growth network offering Personalized Learning PD & Coaching, Leadership Development & Strategy, and School & District Re-Design services.
5. EdTech Design Collective Membership: Annual membership tiers for EdTech companies providing access to feedback, co-design support, implementation opportunities with educators, and recognition as innovative solutions. Three membership tiers with varying benefits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

LEAP Innovations helps K-12 schools and districts implement personalized, student-centered learning through research-validated frameworks, cohort-based professional learning programs, and consulting services. Core offerings include the LEAP Learning Framework™, the LEAP Learner Engagement Survey, the AI Education Network, the Modern Learning Network, the Pilot Network, and the Accelerator, supplemented by the EdTech Design Collective and the AIM AI Integration & Planning Compass™.

Product overview

LEAP Innovations is an education transformation organization offering a multi-product platform centered on K-12 personalized learning. Core offerings include the research-validated LEAP Learning Framework™ and LEAP Learner Engagement Survey for schools and districts. Service programs include the AI Education Network, Modern Learning Network, Pilot Network, and Accelerator—all providing professional learning and coaching for educators. The EdTech Design Collective supports vetted education technology companies. Additional tools include the LEAP AIM AI Integration & Planning Compass™ and the Human-Centered AI Coalition. In March 2026, LEAP merged with Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) to form a unified organization combining over a decade of experience in student-centered learning approaches. The organization is headquartered in Chicago with 450+ school and district partners since 2013.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LEAP Learning Framework™ Research-validated framework for personalized, student-centered K-12 learning with four components: Learner Focused, Learner Led, Learner Demonstrated, and Learner Connected. Bridges theory and practice, rooted in extensive K-12 education research and adopted in 24 states as the nation's first validated personalized learning framework.
• LEAP Learner Engagement Survey A 15-minute, research-validated survey capturing student and teacher experience at the classroom level across dimensions of belonging, agency, rigor, support, and relevance for grades 4-12. Designed to help school and district leaders strengthen learning design and instructional coherence; administered at 400+ schools across 20 states.
• AI Education Network Professional learning network helping K-12 schools and districts integrate AI responsibly by redesigning teaching and learning, building educator capacity, and creating infrastructure for lasting impact. Includes flexible services like Roadmap, Guidebook Design, AI Pilot Support, PD Workshops, and AI Fellowship.
• Modern Learning Network Professional learning and strategic leadership growth network empowering educators and leaders to create dynamic, learner-centered schools and districts. Includes Personalized Learning PD & Coaching, Leadership Development & Strategy, and School & District Re-Design services.
• Pilot Network Cohort-based program empowering forward-thinking school teams to design, pilot, and scale innovative approaches to sustainable school improvement and student-centered learning. Includes professional development onramp, EdTech pilot implementation, and coaching support.
• LEAP Innovations Accelerator 10-month virtual cohort bringing school teams together to design, test, and scale student-centered innovations with expert coaching. Guides teams through Design Thinking, prototyping, testing, and scaling learning solutions.
• EdTech Design Collective Community of cutting-edge EdInnovators driving innovation in education. Members complete a rigorous five-area review covering privacy/SOPPA/FERPA, data security, evidence of learning impact, implementation quality, and commitment to personalized learning, with access to exclusive R&D opportunities and the LEAP Personalized Learning EDInnovator Certification.
• LEAP AIM AI Integration & Planning Compass™ Strategic decision-support tool that helps educators intentionally design learning experiences where AI supports strong instruction, protects student thinking, and strengthens ownership of learning. Used to move classrooms toward deeper, future-ready learning.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of participants report LEAP training positively impacts teaching and learning
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, strategic, supporting and partner.

• Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026Merger completed March 2, 2026 to form unified organization retaining the LEAP Innovations name. Combines NGLC's decade of work defining next-generation learning since 2011 with LEAP's practice of co-designing, piloting, and scaling strategies since 2014. Aims to help schools integrate emerging technologies including generative AI and address educational transformation challenges nationally.
• EDInnovators CollectivecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 November 2025National collective of 15+ education technology companies promoting personalized learning with AI-powered solutions. Companies pilot new tools across schools in over 15 states, engaging 5,000+ educators and 350,000+ students. LEAP provides feedback, co-design support, and implementation opportunities.
• PlaylabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2024Partnership to launch Chicagoland Coalition for Human-Centered AI in Education. Playlab provides AI experiences for learners at every level from novice to expert for professional development. Jointly convening education and technology leaders to design national model for AI in education.
• Modern TeacherflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2024Strategic collaboration to expand capabilities and deepen impact on education transformation. Modern Teacher Network now 'fueled by LEAP Innovations' providing whole school redesign opportunities. Leverages Modern Teacher Convergence Framework alongside LEAP Learning Framework for expanded programming.
• Chicago Public SchoolscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-standing partnership for school transformation and personalized learning implementation across Chicago Public Schools district.
• Distinctive SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistinctive Schools provides shared services to LEAP Innovations (consolidated administrative operations) while both organizations maintain separate 501c3 nonprofit status. LEAP continues operating existing programming while infusing new innovative offerings.
• Naperville CUSD 203coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner district in AI Education Network, leveraging LEAP for learner advisories design, innovation think tanks, and AI navigation support.
• Falcon Zone, District 49 (Colorado)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner district using Modern Learning Network for student ownership of learning transformation.
• Google for EducationstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition participant providing innovation spotlight on AI applications in education. Google Global Head of Education Impact participates in coalition discussions on AI supporting educators.
• America's PromisesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerField leadership network partner contributing to regional and national networks focused on education innovation and systems change.
• EALA (Education Alliance)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerField leadership network partner in education innovation ecosystem.
• Amira LearningpartnerTechnology or IntegrationEDInnovators Collective member providing AI-powered reading software for K-8 students that uses AI to listen to students read, identify gaps, and provide personalized tutoring.
• ASSISTmentspartnerTechnology or IntegrationEDInnovators Collective member; nonprofit math assessment platform with Tier 1 ESSA rating providing real-time feedback and actionable reports for teachers.
• MagicSchoolpartnerTechnology or IntegrationEDInnovators Collective member; leading generative AI platform for education with 80+ classroom-ready tools for lesson planning, differentiation, and feedback.
• SocraitpartnerTechnology or IntegrationEDInnovators Collective member; voice-enabled AI-powered class assistant that transforms teacher spoken words into behavior tracking, attendance data, class summaries, and communication drafts.
• MedleypartnerTechnology or IntegrationEDInnovators Collective member; browser extension helping multilingual learners access grade-level content with AI-enabled real-time scaffolds and language supports.
• PowerMyLearningpartnerTechnology or IntegrationEDInnovators Collective member; national nonprofit transforming math education through evidence-based programs and MathVoice AI-powered insights.
• SnorklpartnerTechnology or IntegrationEDInnovators Collective member; multimodal AI platform helping students visually and verbally express thinking with instant personalized feedback across subjects.
• Modern Classrooms ProjectpartnerTechnology or IntegrationEDInnovators Collective member; self-paced, mastery-based instructional model leveraging technology to foster human connection and authentic learning.
• National Louis UniversitystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition participant in Chicagoland Coalition for Human-Centered AI in Education. Hosts coalition convenings and contributes to education innovation research.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• XQ Institute: Nonprofit focused on rethinking the U.S. high school through personalized learning and whole-school redesign. Mirrors LEAP's whole-school transformation work and Modern Teacher's whole-school redesign roots.
• Digital Promise: National nonprofit that works with districts, educators, and EdTech companies to drive equitable innovation and personalized learning. Closest direct peer to LEAP given its nonprofit intermediary model, EdTech verification work, and focus on underserved learners.
• Aurora Institute (formerly iNACOL): Policy and advocacy nonprofit advancing personalized, competency-based K-12 learning. Comparable to LEAP through its work defining next-generation learning frameworks and convening districts around student-centered models.
• Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC): Education redesign initiative that partnered with LEAP via the March 2026 merger; comparable in mission, national grants portfolio, and district-level personalized learning focus.
• Modern Teacher: Whole-school redesign organization whose network is now part of LEAP. Direct peer in the personalized learning PD and instructional redesign space, with overlapping frameworks and coach networks.

Emerging players

• Getting Smart: Education advisory and media organization focused on personalized, project-based, and competency-based learning. Comparable as a thought-leadership and consulting peer rather than a direct program competitor.
• Buck Institute for Education (PBLWorks): Nonprofit focused on Project-Based Learning professional development for K-12 educators. Comparable to LEAP as a PD-focused nonprofit serving districts on student-centered instructional approaches.
• Christensen Institute: Research and policy organization promoting student-centered and competency-based learning models. Comparable to LEAP through its thought leadership on personalized learning and district transformation frameworks.

Broad incumbents

• EdSurge: EdTech information and product-matching platform serving districts and EdTech companies. Comparable to LEAP's EdTech Design Collective function through district-vendor matching and product intelligence.
• NewSchools Venture Fund: Nonprofit education innovation fund backing schools and EdTech ventures. Comparable as an ecosystem peer shaping personalized learning at scale through portfolio companies and policy advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/leapinchicago
• Facebookfacebook.com/leapinnovations
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leap-innovations

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LEAP Innovations