After successfully isolating qualities that schools can embody to both educate students and develop teachers, the initiative went beyond the pilot stage and expanded further when 125 more schools joined in September 1999. The number of Beacon Schools in operation more than doubled in September 2000 when 300 more schools took on Beacon status.
Following a successful pilot program, the initiative expanded to include 125 additional schools in September 1999 and then another 300 schools in September 2000. The number of Beacon Schools grew significantly during this period.