As part of the Innovations in Education series, we visited Oakland Charter Academy and met with principal David Camarena, Evelia Villa of Amethod Public Schools, and Susanna Loeb of Stanford University about the achievement gap.

The Walton Family Foundation’s involvement in efforts to improve K-12 education spans nearly three decades. We look to brave leaders including the individuals featured in this series to find solutions that improve education for all students. Through Innovations in Education, a video series with Carrie Walton Penner that explores first-hand groundbreaking work taking place across the country, we will introduce you to some of these leaders.

Local Oz Trailer, Tandie Bailey, shares what led her to become a mountain biker.

On September 23, nearly 4,000 students from across New Orleans gathered to talk openly about the scourge of youth violence — and to come together to press for an excellent education and a better life. The Rally for Excellence was organized by InspireNOLA and was sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation.

The foundation's K-12 education program director on the need for disruption and innovation in education, how the foundation is looking to support entrepreneurs and looking beyond the school building to promote a wider culture of school choice.

Alice Walton and Jim Walton explain the Walton family's latest initiative to meet growing demand for high-quality public school options.

Hosted by Bricolage Academy, the New Orleans Mini Maker Faire is a celebration of the maker community in New Orleans and the surrounding region.

Valerie Sanchez aims to be the first college grad in her family

In 2015, the Walton Family Foundation supported 100 new charter school startups with more than $20 million in grants. We plan to give $1 billion over five years to improve K-12 outcomes for all students by broadening access to high-quality educational choices.

Darren Woodruff is the board chair of the DC Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB) — the organization responsible for approving new charter schools, monitoring existing charter schools, and closing schools that are not meeting students’ needs. Setting high standards and holding schools accountable for results are “critically important” to the board and to the city’s students.

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) announced that its 2016 World Summit will be held November 10-12 next year in Bentonville.

Bobby White graduated from Frayser High School in Memphis in 1990. Last fall, he came back — not just as an alumnus, but as the school’s leader — and he’s on a mission to transform the school. The school is part of a special district in Tennessee called the Achievement School District, which is working to dramatically improve the bottom 5% of the state’s schools.

Members of the Northwest Arkansas Council share their hopes for the future of the Northwest Arkansas region, including revitalizing downtowns, preserving natural spaces, celebrating diversity, and supporting and attracting entrepreneurs. Featuring: Tom Walton, Walton Family Foundation Board Member; Karen Minkel, Walton Family Foundation Home Region Program Director; Daniel Hintz, The Velocity Group; Geovanny Sarmiento, Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce; Mark Simmons, Simmons Foods; and Jeannette Belleza Collins, The Ark Challenge.

Tom Walton and Steuart Walton talk with David Cheesewright, CEO of Walmart International, about mountain biking in Northwest Arkansas and the three-day Slaughter Pen Jam taking place Oct. 2-4, 2015.

In 2013, the Walton Family Foundation was inducted in the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Hall of Fame. This video was produced in conjunction with that honor.

At the heart of the Walton Family Foundation is a giving philosophy that is rooted in opportunity.