In 2011, some of Charlotte’s leading private and corporate foundations formed a partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to implement innovative school turnaround interventions affecting use of talent, time, and technology, and engaging parents and communities at West Charlotte High School and its feeder elementary and middle schools. In this report, Public Impact provides an overview of the Project L.I.F.T. strategy and reflects on successes, challenges, and lessons from the initiative. Though L.I.F.T. fell short of its very lofty and highly publicized goals, its legacy includes the launch of Opportunity Culture in district schools and significant insights about how private foundations can work with public school districts to implement innovative ideas that help turn around low-performing schools.

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