In 2024, the Quakertown Community School District (QCSD) was accepted into the League of Innovative Schools, a prestigious national network that brings together forward-thinking districts committed to advancing education. Selection into the League, organized by Digital Promise—a global nonprofit dedicated to increasing opportunities for all students—reflects QCSD’s educational leadership, commitment to equity and excellence, innovative vision for learning, and strong community partnerships.
In February 2025, Superintendent Dr. Friedman was appointed to the League of Innovative Schools Advisory Committee, where he helps guide the network’s strategic direction and contributes insights from his leadership experience.
Building on this momentum, five Quakertown Community High School (QCHS) students (Maya Chauhan, Aleyna Deterville, Eric Rotzell, and Nathan Steinberg) were selected this past school year to join the inaugural “League of Innovative Students.” QCHS was one of only five schools in the nation invited to participate in this groundbreaking initiative. Student teams across the country were tasked with exploring critical topics—such as language barriers and transportation challenges—and developing solutions informed by research and student voice.
Guided by Dr. Kim Finnerty, the QCHS team investigated the question: “What motivates students in schools?” Throughout the year, they surveyed peers, analyzed data, and presented their findings to faculty. The research revealed that time of day is a significant factor in student motivation, with most students reporting peak engagement after lunch. The team also found that hands-on activities, peer collaboration, and experiential learning strategies are especially effective in sustaining student interest. Additionally, students expressed higher motivation when learning about subjects connected to their future goals and aspirations.
Participation in this national program provided QCHS students with an invaluable opportunity to collaborate with peers from across the country—including districts as far away as California—while contributing meaningful insights to reimagine teaching and learning.
Principal Mr. van’t Hoenderdaal commended the group, stating his pride in the students for not only conducting rigorous research but also presenting their recommendations directly to their teachers: “It takes tremendous confidence and leadership to share findings with your own educators. These students represented QCHS with distinction.”