Manson School District selected for Microsoft Elevate Washington grant

MANSON — Manson School District has been selected as one of 10 school districts statewide to participate in Microsoft Elevate Washington, a multi-year initiative focused on artificial intelligence in education.

According to the district, the program will provide funding, training and technical support to help districts explore and implement AI-related teaching and learning projects. Microsoft launched the initiative in October 2025.

As part of the School District Grant Program and Community of Practice, Manson School District will receive $75,000 in grant funding. The district will also receive $25,000 in technology consulting services funded by Microsoft and delivered by a Microsoft-certified partner.

The grant period runs 18 months, from January 2026 through June 2027. District officials said the first six months will focus on planning and capacity building, followed by implementation during the 2026-27 school year.

During the grant period, the district plans to assemble a team of district leaders and educators to develop an AI-focused teaching and learning project. Potential areas of focus include AI-supported lesson planning, personalized learning strategies, instruction in AI literacy and ethics, and student-centered applications tied to future career readiness.

Participation in the statewide community of practice will include professional learning and coaching related to AI integration, collaboration with other districts and experts, guidance on digital safety and policy alignment, and opportunities to share project outcomes with other participants.

District teams are expected to attend in-person workshops at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, participate in virtual learning sessions during the grant period and attend a culminating workshop at the Gates Foundation in Seattle, where participating districts will present project results.

Microsoft Elevate Washington is a statewide initiative designed to expand access to AI-related training, tools and support for schools, colleges and nonprofit organizations across Washington, according to information provided by the district.