Tech-Focused 'Super Schools' Looking to Be Created with $50 Mill From Steve Jobs' Apple Fortune

A whopping $50 million of Steve Jobs' Apple fortune is looking to be invested in the propelling of America's school system.

Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Steve Jobs and philanthropist, is committing $50 million dollars to XQ: The Super School Project. XQ asks Americans and educators to rethink high school tweeting, " What does it mean if our students aren't prepared to succeed in a global economy?"

The "Super School Project" is a competition-based program. Teams will imagine what programs and factors are needed to create a more effective high school experience. Winners will receive funding to actually develop their programs as well as work with expert mentors to truly create their super school. XQ hopes to support at least five schools, and as a result "transform communities and build schools that inspire new possibilities."

"Teams will unite and take on this important work of our time: rethinking and building schools that deeply prepare our students for the rigorous challenges of college, jobs, and life," advises the XQ site.

As XQ describes the process, "Teams will first self-assemble; then, immerse themselves in the leading thinking and research on how students learn today; spend time unearthing student needs and the changing demands of the world of work; and do rigorous systems-thinking to build their ideas into the next American high school."

In a promotional video, XQ points out that American high schools have remained mostly unchanged in the last 100 years, although many advancements have been made in recent years - pulling the U.S. from the forefront of educational rankings.

Laurene Powell Jobs will not only shovel out a bit of dough to fund the project, but will also chair the XQ's board of directors. As Mashable also explains, "Powell Jobs also cofounded College Track, a program that aids students from low income and otherwise disadvantaged backgrounds succeed in higher education."

Awesome! Prospective teams better get their proposals together soon, as the deadline for the chance to create your own super school needs to be received by Nov. 15. Judges will select the finalists who will be announced in April 2016. Winners will be announced in Aug. 2016.