CUSD Opens Verizon Labs at Enterprise and Bunche MS
Media Release
CUSD recently held exciting ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new Verizon Innovative Learning Labs at Enterprise Middle School and Bunche Middle School. These were made possible by Verizon, through a partnership with Heart of America and the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University.
The Verizon Lab grand openings were attended by Verizon representatives, Heart of America representatives, Compton City officials, various media, teachers, and scholars. Attendees got to tour each of the Labs and experience the incredible impact these facilities are making on the students.
“This lab is not just about technology—it's about empowerment,” said CUSD Board of Trustees Vice President Satra Zurita. “It's about giving our students the tools to dream bigger, think creatively, and innovate. This space will inspire curiosity, collaboration, and a passion for learning.”
“Look at this Lab as a way to test your hypotheses,” Verizon’s Erica Jacquez told the students. “See how you can make your community a better place. Use the tools that are given to you by the community to support you and are investing in you. We look forward to seeing your many creations in the many years to come.”
“We’re providing our scholars as many opportunities as we can so they can take advantage of those opportunities,” said Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley.
These new Verizon Innovative Learning Labs give students and teachers access to emerging technology such as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), 3D printing, and artificial intelligence (AI).
As part of its commitment to digital inclusion, Verizon works with its leading education nonprofit partners to provide extensive support for educators, free technology, tech-focused learning resources, and hands-on learning experiences to equip students with the tools and skills needed to help prepare them for today’s digital economy.
“What this Verizon Lab does for our students is plants the seeds for their future,” said Enterprise Principal Angela Hines.
“This lab represents so much more than just computers and equipment,” said Bunche Middle School Principal La Trece Polk. “It’s an investment in our scholars.”
The Verizon Innovative Learning Labs provide experiential learning opportunities, inspiring students to leverage social innovation and design thinking to develop solutions to impact their communities. Heart of America leads the transformation of the state-of-the-art space in collaboration with the schools, and district teams, and the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University provides a project-based curriculum and training for the teachers.
“Supporting the Verizon Innovative Learning Labs has been an incredible partnership,” says Jill Hardy Heath, CEO of Heart of America. “We’re all about creating spaces that not only enhance learning but inspire a whole new level of curiosity and possibility. The new Ralph Bunche Middle School lab and others like it give students the tools to dream big and solve real-world problems, and that’s exactly the kind of impact we want to make as an organization.”
Compton Unified now has Verizon Innovative Learning Labs at seven of its schools and there are now 17 Verizon Innovative Learning schools in the district.
