[Techtaffy Newsdesk]

Microsoft is announcing the new 2012–2013 Microsoft Innovative Pathfinder and Mentor Schools, being inducted as part of its Innovative Schools program. The Microsoft Innovative Schools program is an educational program that is part of the Microsoft Partners in Learning Program, a 10-year, nearly $500 million commitment.

The 99 new Pathfinder Schools and Mentor Schools from 51 countries were chosen because they have strong school leadership and have established a record of innovation and successful change implementation, says Microsoft. The U.S. schools were selected from Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington.

The following are the six U.S. schools inducted as Pathfinder Schools this year:

• Lake View High School (Chicago)
• Great Falls Elementary School (Great Falls, S.C.)
• Loudoun County Public Schools (Ashburn, Va.)
• Birmingham Covington School (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.)
• York County School Division (Yorktown, Va.)
• Medina Elementary School (Medina, Wash.)

This year’s Mentor School inductees are:

•  McGlone Elementary School (Denver)
•  Highland Tech Charter School (Anchorage, Alaska)