SPRINT’S 1MILLION PROJECT TO CONNECT 600 STUDENTS IN THE 2017•2018 SCHOOL YEAR
PROVIDENCE, RI – October 4, 2017 – Sprint (NYSE: S) and the Providence Public School District
announced today that 600 high school students will receive the equipment and connectivity they need to
complete their schoolwork from home as part of the 1 Million Project.In January, the Providence Public
School District was one of 11 districts across the country to participate in the pilot launch of Sprint’s 1 Million
Project. The school district received 250 devices at that time.
The 2017-2018 school year marks the first year of the initiative with more 180,000 students in 1,300 schools
across 30 states. Every year over the next five years, hundreds of thousands of high schoolers who lack
internet access at home will join and benefit from the 1 Million Project. The ambitious goal is to connect one
million students in that time to help level the playing field and help eliminate the «Homework Gap.»
«Learning does not start and stop when school opens and closes,» said Mayor Jorge Elorza. «Sprint’s
1 Million Project is a game-changer for our students, who will use these devices to continue learning outside
of the classroom.»
«We are making a difference for kids who need the internet in order to keep up with work assigned at home
but yet lack access to technology,» said Gabriel Torres, Sprint President, New England Region. «Sprint’s
1 Million Project will give so many kids right here in Providence more advantages for academic success than
they had before.»
Seventy percent of America’s high school teachers assign homework requiring online connectivity, yet more
than five million families with school-aged students do not have internet connectivity at horne.’ These
students are faced with an enormous challenge as they are unable to complete their homework from home,
search for jobs, apply to college and financial aid, or easily access the valuable information they need to
succeed in school and life.
Superintendent of Providence Public Schools Christopher N. Maher said, «I am very impressed by and
grateful to Sprint for understanding that technology access is not just an education issue but also an equity
issue. Through the 1 Million project, our children will have the same access to knowledge as students in
more affluent communities, where home internet connections are taken for granted.»
The 1 Million Project will distribute devices and provide service to eligible students at the following
Providence public high schools:
- 360 High School
- Central High School
- Classical High School
- Mount Pleasant High School
- . Hope High School
- Jorge Alvarez High School
- E-Cubed Academy
- Evolutions High School
- Providence Career & Technical Academy
- The William B. Cooley, Sr. High School
and The Providence Academy of
International Studies (High School) at
The Juanita Sanchez Complex
Each student participating in the 1 Million Project will receive either a free smartphone, tablet, or hotspot
device and 3GB of high-speed L TE data per month for up to four years while they are in high school.
Unlimited data is available at 2G speeds if usage exceeds 3GB in a month. Those who receive a
smartphone can use it as a hotspot.
To address the homework gap on such a large scale, Sprint piloted the program with 3,750 high school
students in 10 markets in January 2017 through the end of the last school year. Lessons learned at the
local level helped to prepare for the national rollout-this fall. In a survey of students who participated in the
pilot, the vast majority (86) said the 1 Million Project improved their attitude toward learning and school,
and helped them do their homework in a comfortable, convenient and safe place. Looking forward, 82 of
students said the program positively impacted the likelihood that they will persist and graduate from high
school. And, 8.0 said it improves the likelihood that they will continue on to college.
Schools or districts who want to apply for the second year of the 1 Million Project, which begins with the
2018-19 school year, can visit www.sprint.com/1 million projectto learn more. Applicants will receive a
response by spring 2018.
Anyone looking to support the program can visit www.sprint.com/give1 mpto make a donation via credit
card.» Sprint stores continue to accept monetary and device donations. Used mobile devices can also be
donated online.? Devices will be recycled or resold with net proceeds benefiting the 1 Million Project. Visit
www.sprint.com/1millionprojectfor more information, and follow and support the program on social media
by using the hashtag #1 Million Project.