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Key Features
In the heart of Texas, Midway Independent School District serves more than 8,700 students across 11 schools. With a long-standing 1:1 iPad program and a reputation for thoughtful innovation, Midway has always placed pedagogy before technology. As AI entered the edtech landscape at full speed, district leaders saw both opportunity and risk.
"“Early on, I saw how fast AI was evolving,” says Sarah Collins, Director of Professional Learning at Midway ISD. “With so many tools emerging, we saw an opportunity to lead with intention. Our focus has always been protecting the student experience, strengthening instruction, and guarding data privacy.”
Challenges
Coming out of COVID, Midway faced familiar pressures: teacher turnover, rising student behavior needs, and growing demands on instructional staff. The district remained high-performing, but AI introduced a new layer of urgency.
"We didn’t want a piecemeal adoption or unsafe experimentation," Collins explains. "We needed a unified, secure, and effective solution."
Stakeholders—from board members to classroom teachers—shared emotions that ranged from uncertainty to excitement. Midway had to manage perceptions as much as tools.
"We knew AI wasn’t going away,” Collins said. “We also knew how we introduced it would determine its impact."
Solutions
Midway launched a districtwide AI pilot including MagicSchool, Diffit, Gemini, and PowerBuddy. Their goal was to identify one solution that could scale, align with instructional priorities, and meet strict safety expectations.
MagicSchool quickly rose to the top. Teachers praised its simplicity, and leaders valued its transparency.
"MagicSchool was the only platform that felt safe, easy to explain, and capable of doing what we needed, from differentiated instruction to writing feedback to parent communication," Collins offers.
MagicStudent also stood out. Its transparency and oversight tools offered a level of assurance other platforms lacked.
"I once saw a first grader chatting with a Great Wall of China bot. When the student drifted off topic, the bot gently guided her back on task. That’s when I knew this was different," Collins remembers.
Roadmap to impact
- Fall '23: Learning coaches began exploring AI tools.
- Winter '23: Early adopter teachers experimented with various platforms.
- Spring '24: District offered AI-focused PD, with MagicSchool training at the core.
- Summer '24: Mandatory AI literacy training added to compliance sessions; 630+ teachers trained.
- Fall '24: Official pilot launch Spring 25 adoption of MagicSchool with professional learning, campus support, and usage tracking.
MagicSchool signed Midway’s 23-page DPA with no redlines. Its FERPA, COPPA, and privacy commitments cleared the path for districtwide use.
Since adopting MagicSchool, Midway ISD has:
- Delivered consistent, district-wide professional learning
- Saved teachers significant time on tasks like email drafting, lesson planning, and rubric-aligned feedback
- Integrated MagicSchool into instruction through co-teaching and coaching support
- Increased teacher confidence and curiosity in AI
Teachers use MagicSchool for communication, differentiated planning tied to TEKS, and efficient feedback. Students explore content in safe, scaffolded ways.
“I can pull our dashboard and see that teachers across the district are using MagicSchool to craft effective communications, such as emails and newsletters, and to produce tailored student feedback. That’s time being given back to teachers,” Collins shares. "And when I’m able to show stakeholders what students are creating and how we’re protecting their data, their fear turns to excitement."
While adopting AI, Midway ISD also built a roadmap other districts can follow.
"If it doesn’t fit your environment, your pedagogy, or prepare students for the future, don’t do it," Collins advises. "But if it does? Move thoughtfully, and bring everyone along."
Want to learn more about Midway ISD?
Tune in to the Panther Paw’dcast from Midway ISD’s Teaching and Learning team. In the latest episode, teacher Amy Hopkins shares how she’s using MagicSchool and MagicStudent in her classroom. Check out the Panther Paw’dcast.
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