Founded in 1991, Accelerate Institute’s mission is to close the achievement gap by creating high-impact school leaders who accelerate student achievement. Grounded in the belief that demographics are not destiny and that all children can achieve at high levels given equal access to quality education, Accelerate Institute identifies and develops high-performing, results-focused leaders with a passion for closing the achievement gap in urban education. Through The Ryan Fellowship, The Accelerator, and Leadership Team programs, we draw on the leadership model used to achieve success at our nationally-recognized school, Alain Locke Charter School.
Accelerate Institute has trained more than 100 school leaders who are currently working in more than 20 cities across the United States. Our work is grounded in Accelerate Institute’s core values:
- Students First: We make decisions in which student achievement and wellbeing are prioritized while honoring individual student experiences.
- Absolute Excellence: We bring our best work, are productive, are present, and get accelerated results.
- Synergy: Our interactions and cooperation produce a combined effect greater than the sum of the separate effects.
- Equity and Inclusion: We value all dimensions of diversity and seek to model the fairness and justice that we want to see in the world.
- Gratitude: The work is hard. In that we find joy and are thankful to each other and show appreciation for all stakeholders.
Accelerate Institute is located in Chicago, Illinois.
