Apple Distinguished School

At Marshall Elementary School, students lead authentic learning experiences by mentoring peers, facilitating professional learning, and taking ownership within the school community. 

These experiences demonstrate how Marshall Elementary intentionally develops student leadership through authentic opportunities to mentor peers, facilitate learning, and communicate with both students and adults. By positioning students as leaders within the school community, learning becomes more collaborative, meaningful, and student-driven.

The Impact

• Increased student confidence and ownership
• Expanded opportunities for authentic communication and leadership
• Students support learning for peers, staff, and the broader school community

Innovation at MES

At Marshall Elementary, innovation is rooted in authentic learning experiences that encourage students to think critically, create purposefully, and communicate their understanding in meaningful ways. Technology is used to amplify student voice, support creativity, and provide opportunities for collaboration, exploration, and real world problem solving.

The Impact

• Increased student engagement and ownership of learning
• Students communicate understanding through creative and multimedia experiences
• Learning experiences promote problem solving, collaboration, and student voice
• Technology supports authentic creation rather than passive consumption

At Marshall Elementary, collaboration is embedded throughout the learning environment. Students work together to solve problems, share ideas, support one another, and communicate their thinking through authentic learning experiences. Collaboration extends beyond the classroom through cross grade partnerships, professional learning, and opportunities for students and staff to learn alongside one another.

The Impact

• Increased student communication and teamwork
• Students learn from peers through shared experiences and discussion
• Collaboration promotes confidence, leadership, and problem solving
• Teachers and students engage in learning as a connected community

Marshall Elementary continues to build a future-focused learning environment where students and staff grow together through innovation, collaboration, and authentic learning experiences.

As opportunities expand through student leadership initiatives such as iPals, district-wide professional learning, and the upcoming transition to MacBooks for staff, MES remains committed to empowering students and educators through meaningful and sustainable learning experiences. These efforts support a shared vision for creativity, collaboration, and innovation across both our school and the North Allegheny School District.

The Impact

• Student leadership opportunities continue to grow through programs such as iPals
• Ongoing professional learning strengthens staff confidence and instructional innovation
• 1:1 staff MacBooks expand opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and teaching and learning
• District-wide initiatives support a shared vision for future-ready learning environments
• MES continues to serve as a model for innovation, collaboration, and student-centered learning