For more than two decades, the Special Education Foundation's Classroom Innovation Grants have empowered educators to bring innovative ideas to life for students with disabilities. Since 2002, the program has funded creative, hands-on learning opportunities that extend beyond what traditional school budgets can provide.

For the 2026–2027 school year, SEF is excited to award 88 Classroom Innovation Grants totaling $59,878, supporting creative projects benefiting approximately 6,950 students across Special School District partner schools.

These grants are designed to support enrichment—not curriculum already required through a student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Instead, they provide funding for engaging experiences, adaptive learning tools, sensory resources, technology, community-based learning opportunities, and innovative curriculum enhancements that help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

This year's funded projects showcase the creativity and dedication of SSD educators. Students in Riverview Gardens will explore Voices in Motion: AI-Assisted Filmmaking for Communication Growth. A Maplewood Richmond-Heights educator will bring sensory equipment for early learners to create a calm environment and enhance student connection. Other projects will support academic and independent living skills. Many other innovative projects foster communication, collaboration, creativity, and real-world learning.

Classroom Innovation Grants help educators:

• Bring creative ideas to life that would otherwise be out of reach.
• Increase student engagement through interactive, hands-on learning.
• Build communication, independence, problem-solving, and life skills.
• Create inclusive learning experiences tailored to diverse student needs.
• Pilot innovative teaching strategies that can be shared across classrooms and schools.

Congratulations to this year's grant recipients! Awardees are currently receiving their account numbers, allowing them to begin purchasing supplies and materials to launch their projects for the new school year.

We can't wait to see these ideas come to life! As your projects get underway, we invite you to welcome SEF into your classrooms. We'd love the opportunity to visit, capture photos and videos, hear your students' stories, and celebrate the impact your innovation is making.

Your experiences help demonstrate how donor support is creating meaningful opportunities for thousands of students with disabilities throughout St. Louis County.