One City Schools has won the 2025 Wisconsin Innovation Award for education, an honor given annually by the Wisconsin Technology Council to recognize some of the state’s most groundbreaking enterprises.
“We are incredibly proud to receive this special honor in this, our 10th year of helping children enrolled in our preschools and our public charter elementary and middle schools take the next important steps in their life journey,” One City CEO and founder Kaleem Caire said in a press release. “Our schools are built on the premise that by being bold, innovative, and precise in how we help young people learn, we can prevent them from succumbing to school failure and underachievement and ensure they are ready to succeed in high school, post-secondary education, and careers as young adults.”
One City, a tuition-free, public charter school authorized by the University of Wisconsin System, was among 27 finalists nominated for the honor, across six categories, by the Wisconsin Technology Council. The award “spotlights visionaries transforming their fields through bold ideas and impactful achievements.” Awardees are chosen by a panel of judges through a rigorous application process that includes answering questions and submitting a video biography, which highlights the uniqueness of the work along with the vision and goals of the innovation recognized.
