Illinois, Chicagoland first · Maywood, IL
AI Pilot Program for Schools in Illinois
Digital Alchemy runs a 9-week AI pilot program for Illinois schools, led in person by a Maywood-based instructor. One cohort, teacher training included, a student showcase at the end, and a written summary your leadership can use to decide what is next. It is the low-risk way to start: small, local, and judged on student work.
Taught by Desi Baker (Desmond Baker Jr), a Google Gemini Certified Educator who has taught AI through the Chicago Housing Authority and spoken at AI Tinkerers.
Book a free planning callWho this is for
- Illinois principals and district leaders who want a first step with local support
- Proviso Township and west suburban schools looking for a nearby partner
- Grant and innovation leads who need a scoped pilot with clear deliverables
What students walk away with
- A complete first run: students, teachers, and leadership all see the program work
- Student products and a showcase your community can attend
- Teacher confidence built through training and coached practice
- A go or no-go summary with attendance, completion, and student evidence
How an Illinois pilot runs
- Step 1: a free planning call to map grade band, schedule, and approvals
- Step 2: tool approval with your IT and a one-page safety and privacy summary for your files
- Step 3: teacher training, then 9 weeks of student sessions
- Step 4: showcase and evaluation summary, then a decision conversation
Local matters here
The instructor is based in Maywood and teaches across Chicago and the west suburbs. When a session needs adjusting, the person who runs your pilot is a short drive away, not a support ticket. Digital Alchemy already teaches adults and community groups across this area, and the schools program brings that same hands-on format to students.
What it is not
This is not software your district licenses and implements alone, and it is not a teacher-free model. Teachers stay at the center. The pilot builds your staff's ability while it serves your students.
Price
Prices as of November 2026.
From $7,500
Illinois pilots start at $7,500 for one cohort of up to 30 students, teacher training included.
Founding pricing: the first 3 pilots booked for the 2026-27 school year are $5,000 flat. When those three are booked, founding pricing closes.
Every quote is given in writing after a free planning call. No quote is final until scope is final.
Book a free planning callQuestions schools ask
Which Illinois schools do you serve?
Chicago and the west suburbs first, including Proviso Township districts. Schools elsewhere in Illinois can run the pilot in a hybrid format. Ask on the planning call.
How long from first call to first class?
Planning, approvals, and training usually take a few weeks. The 9 student weeks run after that. Institute-day and semester-start starts are both common.
Can a nonprofit or park district sponsor a pilot?
Yes. Community sponsors can fund a pilot for a school or run the same format in their own youth program. The planning call covers both shapes.
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