Elite Academic Academy joins national AI policy lab for schools

Joining a national cohort

Elite Academic Academy, a California public charter school network, has been selected to join the 2026–2027 EDSAFE AI Alliance District Policy Lab. This initiative brings together a diverse group of educational organizations to establish clear rules for using artificial intelligence in schools. The network now includes 36 school districts and 16 state-level entities from across the country.

The project is led by the EDSAFE AI Alliance, which is a project of InnovateEDU. It receives support from a multi-year grant provided by Google.org to help schools navigate the complexities of new technology. By joining this cohort, Elite Academic Academy aims to ensure that AI innovation serves students without compromising their safety.

The selection of Elite reflects a broader movement toward responsible AI innovation by design. The academy believes that while AI belongs in the classroom, it must be introduced with specific care and oversight. This collaboration allows the school to move beyond isolated efforts and participate in a structured, national community of practice.

The SAFE framework approach

The Policy Lab uses an open-science, evidence-based approach to develop its guidelines. This work is grounded in the EDSAFE AI SAFE Framework, which focuses on four core pillars: Safety, Accountability, Fairness & Transparency, and Efficacy. These benchmarks are designed to align different stakeholders toward equitable outcomes for learners and better environments for teachers.

Participants in the lab are tasked with co-designing an open-access 'policy stack.' This collection of resources will include acceptable use policies, ethical frameworks, and specific guidelines for communicating with parents. These tools are intended to be adaptable so that different types of schools can customize them to fit their unique local needs.

EDSAFE AI Project Manager Andrea Claver noted that the cohorts are "turning high-level ethical principles into practical operational reality for their local communities." This focus on practical application is central to the project's goal of moving from abstract ideas to usable school policies. The lab seeks to provide a roadmap for how schools can actually manage these tools on a daily basis.

Impact on students and teachers

For the students at Elite Academic Academy, this participation means clearer expectations regarding how AI is used in their learning. The academy serves students through various models, including homeschool, virtual, and flex academies. The new policies will help ensure that these students benefit from shared expertise and tested guidance rather than navigating new tech alone.

Teachers also stand to benefit from the collaboration by gaining access to expert networks and peer practice. As AI tools evolve, California-credentialed teachers at Elite will have more confidence in implementing these technologies. The goal is to provide them with the support they need to integrate AI effectively into their teaching methods without sacrificing educational quality.

The academy's specific educational philosophy, known as the Portrait of a Learner, will guide how these policies are applied. This framework focuses on skills like critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, curiosity, and compassion. The school intends to use these values to ensure that technology deepens human learning rather than replacing it in an AI-shaped world.

Privacy and data integrity

One of the primary challenges for schools adopting AI is addressing questions of student data privacy. Because AI tools often require data to function, schools must establish rigorous guardrails to protect sensitive information. The EDSAFE AI Alliance emphasizes that school systems should not have to navigate these complex safety and equity issues in isolation.

By participating in the lab, Elite Academic Academy gains a more structured way to address academic integrity. As students gain access to more powerful AI tools, schools need clear rules on what constitutes honest work. The co-designed policy stack will provide a foundation for these rules, helping to maintain high standards for student achievement.

The academy plans to keep its community informed as these policies take shape. By sharing what they learn from the national lab, they aim to provide families with stronger protections. This collaborative approach ensures that the school's transition into an AI-integrated environment is handled with transparency and a focus on student safety.

Future of school technology

This partnership complements Elite Academic Academy's existing work in immersive learning. The school already maintains partnerships with Meta and Knoxlabs to explore virtual reality and other high-tech educational tools. The addition of the EDSAFE AI Alliance work allows them to expand these efforts into the realm of artificial intelligence.

The project represents a shift toward a more coordinated national strategy for education technology. Instead of every school district creating its own rules from scratch, the 'policy stack' provides a shared starting point. This can help smaller schools and large urban systems alike adopt safer practices more quickly and with more confidence.

As the 2026–2027 cohort progresses, the focus will remain on turning ethical principles into operational reality. The ultimate goal is to prepare students for a world where AI is a common presence. By building these guardrails now, the academy aims to keep learning deeply human while preparing the next generation for the future.