Education—whether public, private, or charter—frequently competes for students. Enrollment drives budgets, prestige attracts families, and success stories fuel reputations. This competition can sometimes overshadow the primary goal: providing students with the best possible education.

But what if we looked beyond the zero-sum game of enrollment numbers? What if schools — despite being competitors — saw opportunities to collaborate when it truly mattered? In many cases, partnerships between schools can unlock opportunities for students that would otherwise be impossible, particularly in specialized or advanced courses.

The Challenge of Limited Offerings

Advanced Placement (AP) and foreign language courses are prime examples. I’ve seen too many AP classes fail to launch because a school couldn’t find a qualified teacher or didn’t have enough students sign up to make the class viable. Meanwhile, a school just a few miles away might face the same issue, with students and resources that could be combined to create a thriving classroom.

Modern technology makes these collaborations more achievable than ever before. Decades-old tools like video conferencing, with platforms like Zoom rapidly improving, allow for real-time interaction between students and teachers across different locations. Despite this, we rarely see these tools used to their full potential in K-12 education.

A Proven Model: The Google GSV Fellowship

While in the Google GSV Fellowship, I saw firsthand how technology could bridge divides. We brought together superintendents from Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York for meaningful, real-time discussions despite their geographic distance. It wasn’t perfect — time zones and logistics created challenges — but the collaboration was undeniably effective. If such high-level, complex dialogues could succeed, why not bring this model to the classroom?

Examples of Success in Shared Education

There are promising examples where collaboration has already flourished:

1. Massachusetts AP STEM & English Program: In Massachusetts, smaller schools partnered to offer AP STEM and English courses via video conferencing. Students at different campuses participated in the same classes, led by one teacher but supervised by proctors at each location. This model not only ensured access but also reduced school staffing burdens.

2. Utah’s Foreign Language Initiative: Utah’s Dual Language Immersion program allows students across the state to take specialized foreign language courses. Schools partner to share teachers virtually, enabling students to learn languages like Mandarin, Portuguese, and Russian, which would be impossible to offer at every school individually.

3. Rural STEM Collaborations in Texas: Small, rural districts in Texas have banded together to create shared STEM programs, pooling resources for expensive lab equipment and employing video conferencing to teach classes to multiple districts simultaneously.

   
   

These examples demonstrate that collaboration isn’t just a pipe dream — it’s happening. The key is overcoming the adult-level “turf wars” that often stand in the way.

The Importance of Physical Presence

Despite these successes, I remain an advocate for learning that happens in physical proximity to others. Humans are social learners; something profound occurs when we share physical space in the classroom or a lab. For this reason, I envision technology as a bridge, not a replacement. A hybrid model could allow students to physically gather at local campuses while connecting virtually with a larger class. This approach balances the strengths of both in-person and online learning.

Overcoming Obstacles

Collaboration across schools isn’t without its hurdles:

• Time Zones and Schedules: Aligning schedules can be tricky, especially for schools in different states or regions.

• Supervision: If one teacher leads a class virtually, local supervision must be provided to maintain order and facilitate group activities.

• Funding and Agreements: Schools must agree on how to split costs and resources equitably, which requires careful negotiation and trust.

  
  

These challenges, however, are solvable with intentional planning and a student-centered mindset.

A Call to Action

Collaboration is more than a practical solution; it’s a moral imperative. When we cut through our adult issues — budgets, egos, and territorial disputes — we unlock possibilities for students beyond what any single school can offer. By working together, we can make education more equitable, accessible, and enriched.

It’s time to set aside competition where it matters most and embrace collaboration. The future of education and the futures of our students depend on it. Let’s bridge the divides and build something greater — together.

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