How Should Innovative Schools Be in the 21st Century?

In the 21st century, rapid technological advancements and digital transformation have significantly impacted education, making innovation a central component of modern educational systems. Creating a school culture that values and sustains innovation has become increasingly important. This study explores the structural characteristics of innovative schools from the perspectives of school administrators who are actively leading innovative efforts. Employing a qualitative research design based on the phenomenological method, data were collected through focus group interviews. The participants consisted of 11 school administrators specializing in educational management, selected through criterion sampling. A semi-structured interview form with open-ended questions was developed by the researchers to guide the focus group discussions. The data obtained were analyzed through content analysis using the MAXQDA 2020 qualitative data analysis software. The findings of the study were categorized under six main sub-dimensions: the defining characteristics of innovative schools, the roles of innovative school managers, the contributions of teachers and parents to the innovation process, the outcomes of innovative educational practices, and practices that should be adopted or avoided in innovative school environments. The study contributes to the understanding of how school leadership shapes and sustains innovation, offering insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to foster innovation in educational settings.