NEWS RELEASES > FEBRUARY 27, 2019
MCHENRY, IL – For the first time in the eight-year history of the Follett Challenge, a school from outside the United States has been named one of the contest’s three semifinalists, making it eligible for the Grand Prize. In a video announcement, Follett Challenge organizers today announced Regina Catholic School Division in Saskatchewan is the middle school semifinalist, joining a New York elementary school and an Illinois high school.
One of the three schools will earn the Grand Prize, to be announced April 24.
The Follett Challenge again is awarding $200,000 USD in products and services from Follett to the schools/districts that nominated their innovative educational programs which teach 21st-century skills to students and illustrate critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration. Entrants completed an online application and submitted a three- to five-minute video outlining how their program has made a positive impact.
The 2019 semifinalists are:
• Elementary School Winner: Valley Stream School District 24; Valley Stream, N.Y.; video: “Breaking into the Library”
• Middle School Winner: Regina Catholic School Division; Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; video: “Regina Catholic Schools Tinker Tub Project”
• High School Winner: Lindblom Math and Science Academy, Chicago (Ill.) Public Schools; video: “The Impact of Lindblom’s Writing Center Plus”
The overall winner will earn a $60,000 prize in Follett products and services, plus a celebration at their school. The other two schools each will receive $30,000 in products and services.
Kwame Alexander, a New York Times best-selling author and Newbery Medalist, served as a Follett Challenge judge for the first time this year. Alexander, who is partnering with Follett on a literacy campaign (“All Books for All Kids”), will make a personal visit to the Grand Prize-winning school as part of the award celebration.
Today’s announcement also revealed the 10 People’s Choice winners — those schools whose video submissions received the highest number of online votes from the public. Each of the winning schools will earn $8,000 in Follett products and services. The video winners are:
Howard Middle School (“Husky Media Center Making Ideas a Reality”) finished first with 3,636 votes; Gower School District 62 (“This Is Gower”) was close behind with 3,471 votes.
The scoring for this year’s semifinalists were 80 percent based on the judges’ rubric and 20 percent based on the number of People’s Choice votes received.
“Once again, the entries in the Follett Challenge remind us of the creativity and innovation at work in schools around the world,” said Britten Follett, a fifth-generation Follett family and Follett Challenge team member. “This year, a school outside of the United States is one of our semifinalists, reminding us that educators everywhere want the same for their students — unique ways to learn and prepare for the future.”
Last year’s Grand Prize winner was Tudor Elementary School in Anchorage, Alaska.
All public and private K-12 schools/districts in the United States, Canada, and Australia are eligible to apply, and submissions are open to all K-12 educators and Parent Teacher Organizations.
July 14, 2026
McHenry, Ill. – July 14, 2026 – Follett Content, a leading provider of PreK-12 literacy resources, supported Page Ahead’s 2026 Book Up Summer program, helping distribute 79,959 books to 10,220 students across 50 schools throughout Washington state.Book Up Summer is...
Read more
Follett Content Team Raises Funds for CASA of McHenry County Through Employee Bookstore
June 24, 2026
McHenry, Ill. – June 24, 2026 – Follett Content, a leading provider of PreK-12 literacy resources, announced a $1,013 donation to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of McHenry County, generated through proceeds from employee purchases at Edythe’s Book Nook (EBN), its...
Read more
Follett Content Launches tonies + Book Bundles for Libraries
June 23, 2026
McHenry, Ill., June 23, 2026 – Follett Content, a leading provider of content and services for public and school libraries, today announced the launch of tonies® + Book Bundles, a new offering now available for purchase by libraries.Developed in collaboration...
Read more
Follett Content Celebrates 25 Years as an ALA Library Champion at ALA Annual 2026
June 10, 2026
McHenry, Ill., June 10, 2026 – Follett Content, a trusted partner to public and school libraries nationwide, today announced its participation in the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition, taking place June 25-29, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago. This year marks...
Read more
Follett Content Strengthens Adult Offerings for Public Libraries, Launches New Street Date Program
April 30, 2026
Follett Content, a longtime partner to libraries nationwide, today announced a deepened commitment to public library collections by expanding its adult print catalog and launching the Follett Street Date Program to help libraries to deliver high-demand titles to patrons on...
Read more
Follett Celebrates Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week with Literacy Space Giveaway
April 28, 2026
During Teacher Appreciation Week, Follett Content is recognizing educators by supporting the literacy spaces where students read, explore, and learn every day. The initiative addresses common challenges educators face, including limited time and budget to refresh classroom and library environments.
Read more