
Catalyze New Models
We support school and system leaders working with their communities to envision schools of excellence and equity, and to plan and make transformative change.
In partnership with school and community leaders, nonprofits, researchers, and others, we work to nurture high schools that provide high-quality learning experiences to all students. Such experiences are challenging, full of purpose, and joy. Students thrive in these schools and graduate equipped to choose and pursue fulfilling paths for their future.
While the particulars of each transformed high school are as varied as the communities where they exist, all share four critical elements:
- An unwavering belief that all students can achieve at high levels
- Challenging and meaningful learning experiences for all students
- Customized, varied, student supports all can access
- Data practices that measure what matters and inform strategies to better serve all students.
Grantmaking Priorities
Our grantmaking focuses on multiple aspects of the school transformation process, including to:
- Connect and understand with opportunities, like school visits or convenings, for learning and inspiration about the possibilities.
- Design and plan high schools centered on students’ strengths, interests, needs, and promise.
- Launch and continuously evolve new high school models that enable all students to discover and actualize their unbounded potential.
- Amplify insights and bright spots from our partners, and support new research to advance new ideas about creating high schools of excellence and equity.
Initiatives
Learn about the initiatives within the Catalyze New Models strategy.
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Engage New England
Building innovative school models for students who are currently off track to graduate.
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Grantmaking in Catalyze New Models
Attuned Education Partners
To support the Boston Public Schools process to review and plan for the future of the district’s education options
- Award Date: 12/02/2024
- Amount: $190,000
- Term: 7 months
- Program:
- Strategy:
Springpoint
To support the Boston Public Schools process to review and plan for the future of the district’s education options
- Award Date: 12/02/2024
- Amount: $430,000
- Term: 7 months
- Program:
- Strategy:
- Fiscal Sponsor: National Center for Civic Innovation, Inc.
University of Massachusetts
To support the Commonwealth Collegiate Academy in implementing recommendations from the Barr funded EDC Evaluation
- Award Date: 12/02/2024
- Amount: $150,000
- Term: 12 months
- Program:
- Strategy:
Grantmaking Inquiries
Grants awarded by the Barr Foundation originate in different ways.
The majority are initiated by our staff or through a request for proposals (RFP) process. We welcome inquiries from those who feel their work may align with Barr’s Education strategies and who wish to introduce themselves to us. The best approach is to email education@barrfoundation.org with a brief description (300-400 words) of your organization, the funding opportunity you would like us to consider, and the strategy(ies) with which it aligns. Given the high volume of inquiries we receive, it may take a few weeks to hear back.

College Bound Dorchester
Catalyze New Models Team
Catalyze New Models News + Insights
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System-Level Leadership that Enables, Supports, & Sustains School Transformation
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From Input to Impact: Student Voice in High School Transformation
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