Each year, P21, a network of Battelle for Kids (formerly known as the Partnership for 21st Century Learning) recognizes exemplary programs throughout the country. These schools seek opportunities for students to explore local and global mindedness, deep learning, and authentic partnerships with private businesses and/or universities. The results of this study enabled the researcher to identify common teaching methods in Exemplar Schools and strategies that administrators implemented in partnership with faculty to cultivate innovative schooling. The working definition of innovation for this study was Innovation: preparing students to work and live successfully in a global world with a mindset in which intelligence and talents are developed over time (Couros, 2015; Zhao, 2012). This study informs current educational leaders, leadership preparation programs, and teacher preparation programs as to techniques they can adopt to foster innovation in the classroom. A framework and process for implementation of 21st Century skills and innovation were constructed as a result of this study.