ALLENTOWN, Pa. — As of next fall, all students and teachers at Allentown School District’s four middle schools and one of its high schools will have iPads equipped with keyboards and 24/7 internet access to both use in class and take home.
That’s thanks to the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program — a partnership formed in 2012 between the telecommunications company Verizon and Digital Promise, a global education nonprofit.
ASD held an event Thursday at Cedar Crest College to present on the program and highlight the district’s involvement starting next school year through 2029.
“The aim of this is to really bridge the digital gap for families who may not have resources. Internet is expensive.”Carol Birks, Allentown Schools Superintendent
ASD’s participating schools are Harrison-Morton, Raub, South Mountain and Trexler middle schools, along with Bridgeview Academy of Health, Science, Innovation and Technology, which will be the new name of Building 21 High School starting in the fall.
The goal of the VILS program is to increase digital equity at secondary schools by helping students access technology and training teachers on how to effectively use it in the classroom.
“The aim of this is to really bridge the digital gap for families who may not have resources,” Allentown Schools Superintendent Carol Birks said. “Internet is expensive.”
Through the VILS program, Verizon will spend $12 million on ASD over the next four years.
Some of the VILS money will partially fund the salaries for five new ASD positions — there will be a supervisor of instructional technology placed at each of the participating schools.
The supervisors will help teachers integrate technology into the classroom.
Additionally, they will teach a group of students how to use the technology, so they can assist their teachers and peers. Those students will be part of their school's tech team.
Other staff members who work directly with students at the selected ASD schools also will get an iPad through the program.
Those staff members include social workers, counselors and paraprofessionals.
VILS benefits
Superintendent Birks said there's the potential for the district to continue on in the VILS program even longer than the initial four years and to include its other two high schools in the future.
Currently, there are 600 Verizon Innovative Learning Schools across the country, including ones in Atlanta, Cleveland, Phoenix, Seattle and other U.S. cities.
Ten of the schools are in Pennsylvania, including the five Allentown schools.
“They can use the tools for their projects and make them more creative and innovative."Carol Birks, Allentown Schools Superintendent
Birks said the VILS program will prepare Allentown students for the workforce by teaching them how to use digital tools.
“They can use the tools for their projects and make them more creative and innovative,” Birks said.
Students also will be able to earn certifications through Google and Apple.
Additionally, students will have access to online supplemental educational programs, tutoring and college counseling.
South Mountain Principal Kenny Fritz said the VILS program will foster student innovation by giving them the tools and opportunities to practice problem-solving skills, explore their creativity and discover new passions.
“I truly believe that this will transform our learning environment, creating a vibrant space where both students and teachers can thrive and push the boundaries of what’s possible in Allentown,” Fritz said.
Expanding ASD's technology use
In addition to the iPads, the VILS program provides professional development opportunities for teachers and covers travel costs for ASD staff members to visit other schools in the program.
ASD also will provide its staff with additional training through Google and Apple, Birks said.
Staff professional development will begin this summer.
“I believe that VILS will open up more avenues for improved student engagement, creative outcomes and collaboration.”Bob Morrow, Trexler Middle School Principal
Trexler Principal Bob Morrow said the VILS program will improve his school community’s digital literacy and transform classroom experiences.
“Teachers will benefit from the focused professional development and the increased rapport of growing and learning together with our students,” Morrow said.
“I believe that VILS will open up more avenues for improved student engagement, creative outcomes and collaboration.”
The VILS program is the latest example of Superintendent Birks' focus on technology and its role in education during her tenure.
Birks recently was a 2024-25 Google GSV Education Innovation Fellow. Through the fellowship, she learned about leveraging technology for innovation and impact.
Additionally, Birks currently sits on the national advisory board for the League of Innovative Schools, an initiative of Digital Promise that connects forward-thinking education leaders from across the United States.
ASD is a member of the League of Innovative Schools, and the district learned about the VILS program through its relationship with Digital Promise, Birks said.
