The New Tech Network Story

In the mid-1990’s, a group of Napa entrepreneurs observed that graduates of the region’s high schools were woefully underprepared for the contemporary workplace. With a clear vision, financial resources and in cooperation with Napa Valley Unified School District, these visionaries opened New Technology High School, as a public district school, in 1996. By providing 1-to-1technology access, creating a strong culture of empowerment, and using project-based learning instruction, this new school focused on preparing students academically, and with essential skills, by helping them learn to collaborate, innovate, and communicate ideas to solve complex problems.

After operating for a few years, visitors from around the country began to take the practices they observed back to their communities. With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the New Tech Network (NTN) was created as a non-profit organization to directly support other schools. As the network of schools grew, NTN has evolved to provide support for a myriad of implementations and every demographic and community type. Organizational funding and infrastructure support from KnowledgeWorks Foundation was instrumental in NTN’s development. Key program grants from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation helped NTN’s research and development efforts. Nearly twenty years after the first school in Napa, there are now over 175 schools partnering with NTN in 29 states and Australia. NTN is one of the fastest growing school networks, with a proven approach for student success.

Despite NTN’s growth, the majority of students in K-12 education across the U.S. are not being adequately prepared for the world they face after high school. Too many students drop out, or graduate needing remediation at the college level and aren’t prepared to meet the demands of today’s work environment. Simply put, we need more schools to implement New Tech practices. NTN is seeking partners to help accelerate the growth of the network. While there is powerful evidence supporting what this type of school can do to better prepare students, increased advocacy and financial support are needed to spread these practices faster.

NTN has emerged as a leading design partner for comprehensive school change. We work with districts and charter organizations to design innovative learning environments. Through a proven school model, project-based learning platform, and powerful professional development we coach schools toward lasting change and ongoing improvement.

Tour a New Tech School!

We are building a dynamic, perpetually learning network of districts, schools and educators. Our schools are as diverse as the student populations we serve. NTN schools are located in urban, suburban and rural communities as stand-alone structures or as academies on shared campuses.