AI-Powered Private School Expands in Bay Area

An AI-powered private school, Alpha School, is expanding its presence in the Bay Area due to growing demand. The school, which opened in San Francisco's Marina neighborhood this academic year, plans to establish campuses in Palo Alto and the East Bay.

Alpha School operates without traditional grades and teachers, focusing on personalized learning experiences in just two hours a day. Students engage in different subjects at their own pace using laptops.

According to June Rockefeller, an eighth grader at Alpha, students receive instant feedback on their work, allowing them to learn from mistakes. Alpha School, founded by MacKenzie Price, emphasizes that school should be an enjoyable experience.

The school has 13 campuses nationwide and promotes mastery-based tutoring with guides instead of teachers. Guides provide emotional and motivational support, allowing students to thrive in a business-like environment.

The two-hour learning block includes breaks and is followed by lunch and workshops. Instead of grades, students use check charts that assess various skills such as teamwork and independence. Students earn 'Alphas' that can be spent on rewards, with some preferring to invest their earnings.

Kate Liemandt, an Alpha alumna now at Stanford, credits her Alpha experience for her academic success and self-motivation. While the school faces criticism regarding screen time and human connection, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon acknowledges the potential of AI in education.

Price, who has applied for charter status in several states, believes that Alpha's model will pave the way for future educational innovations. As Alpha School expands, it aims to become more accessible and affordable.