Salinas middle schools partner with Verizon, bringing internet access to students.

Gavilan View Middle School and John Gutierrez Middle School in North Salinas are among 33 new schools from Monterey County joining the 13th cohort of Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program, an education initiative that began in 2012, providing internet-connected and innovative STEM learning programs to students.

“Santa Rita Union School District is proud to join Verizon Innovative Learning Schools, a partnership that reflects our commitment to equity, access and high-quality classroom instruction,” said Superintendent Dr. Melissa Alderman in a statement. “By providing connected devices for every middle school student and teacher, along with coaching and professional learning for our educators, this initiative will help ensure technology is integrated purposefully as a tool to strengthen instruction, support collaboration, and expand meaningful learning opportunities for students.”

Participating schools will receive free mobile devices—either tablets or laptops—with accompanying Verizon data plans for every student and teacher beginning in fall 2026. The partnership also includes professional learning for teachers.

The addition of the two middle schools in Salinas will bring the program’s reach to 693 schools in 126 districts across the country. In March, Verizon backed out of a plan to implement the program in Salinas Union High School District.

"Verizon Innovation Learning Schools is one of the ways we show up for the communities we serve, and bringing it to Santa Rita Union School District reflects our commitment to investing in the next generation of leaders," Christine Keener, Verizon’s director of government affairs, said in a statement.