READY Design Studio Fellowship
READY Design Studio Fellowship
Creating schools that Rochester families want and need
Are you an educator or aspiring education entrepreneur with a connection to Rochester? Have you identified a problem in your school or community but aren’t sure what to do next?
Final deadline to apply is Monday, April 14, 5:00pm ET.
Rochester parents and caregivers consistently share that they want schools that support and challenge students differently.
In response, READY launched a community-based school design process to flesh out a vision for the new school models that Rochester wants and needs. The READY School Incubator will provide funding and support to bring these new school models to life.
The Design Studio Fellowship is the first program of the School Incubator. This opportunity is right for you if…
- You are passionate about creating education opportunities for children in Rochester to maximize their full potential
- You have an out-of-the-box idea for a school model and need some extra time, support and resources to build it out
- You are lifelong learner and get excited to experience unique K-12 educational models happening in other cities
- You have an entrepreneurial spirit and want to be part of a community of other committed, innovative educators in Rochester
- You believe families, students, and community members should be partners in setting a vision for education in Rochester
The Design Studio will help you refine and pilot your vision for a bold new school model.
Over a nine month period, you’ll bring your idea to life with support from nationally-recognized school innovation experts, Moonshot.
What you can expect during the Design Studio Fellowship
- Expert guidance on school design and piloting your idea
- Funding to pilot your initiative
- Inspiration Visits to innovative schools
- Access to key community stakeholders leading key efforts in Rochester
- Priority consideration for “Launch”, a year-long paid opportunity with comprehensive support to launch your school model
High-Level Calendar
- June 2025: Onboarding
- August 2025: Kickoff Session (in person)
- October 2025: Denver Visits (in person)
- December 2025 & February 2026: Piloting with two Virtual Workshops
- March 2026: Final Presentation & Stakeholder Meetings (in-person)
Fellows will also receive executive coaching sessions throughout the Fellowship experience.
Deadline to apply is Monday, April 14, 5:00pm ET.
Related Resources
READY understands that great schools resonate with all of our community stakeholders. They contribute to vibrant neighborhoods, strong families, and a robust local economy. That’s why part of our mission is to build a local pipeline of highly effective educators from our community. We’re not just improving schools. We’re strengthening the very fabric of our city.
READY to help create equitable school access? Join us.
In Rochester, only 1 in 10 students currently attend a quality school. That’s more than a statistic—it’s an urgent call to action.
At READY, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. That’s why we’ve launched a bold, time-bound strategy to evolve the city’s public schools.
Our goal? To provide 10,000 Rochester students with access to quality schools in just 10 years. It’s ambitious, it’s necessary, and it’s possible—with your help.
We’re inviting the community to join our relentless pursuit of systemic change. Together, we can create a future where quality education isn’t a privilege, but a right for every Rochester student.
Need help on your journey?
