Washington School Wins $100K Grant to Pioneer AI Education

Manson School District beat out hundreds of applicants to secure $100,000 in funding and support from Microsoft's new Elevate Washington program, positioning the small district as a leader in AI education.

The district will receive $75,000 in grant money plus $25,000 worth of technology consulting from Microsoft-certified partners. Over the next 18 months, teachers and administrators will work together to design innovative ways to bring artificial intelligence into classrooms.

The program launches in January 2026 with six months of planning and training. Teachers will learn how AI can support personalized learning, help with lesson planning, and prepare students for careers that don't even exist yet.

Starting in fall 2026, the district will put those plans into action. Students might learn AI literacy and ethics, explore how AI tools work, or use AI applications to solve real-world problems.

Manson educators won't be figuring this out alone. They'll join nine other Washington districts in a community of practice, meeting regularly to share ideas and learn from experts. The program includes workshops at Microsoft's Redmond headquarters and a final presentation at the Gates Foundation in Seattle.

The Ripple Effect

This grant positions Manson students at the forefront of educational innovation. While many schools are still debating whether to allow AI tools, these students will graduate understanding how to use them responsibly and effectively.

The benefits extend beyond Manson's classrooms. As part of the program, the district will document what works and share those lessons with schools across Washington. Successful strategies developed in Manson could shape how thousands of students learn.

Microsoft designed Elevate Washington to keep the state competitive in innovation and workforce development. By investing in smaller districts like Manson, the program ensures rural students have the same opportunities as their urban peers.

For a small school district, this represents a transformational opportunity to give students skills that will matter for decades to come.