For 65K you get 2 hours of instruction
Alpha Schools is a network of schools across the country that are moving into Bethesda, Maryland. The network began in Austin, Texas. It is founded by billionaire Joe Lemandt who has called traditional education obsolete.
The school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027. A location has not been determined but so far, one family has committed. The school has said that over 100 families have expressed interest in the model. The school will not open unless it has 25 committed families who have put down the $1,000 deposit. Although a final tuition has not been established, school officials expect it to be around $65,000. Students will complete all of their academics within a 2-hour period. All lessons will be delivered by AI. kids will be on screens for the 2 hours of academic work. School leaders say the AI will adapt to the students on-the-fly so if a student is doing well in math, math will get tougher. But if the student is struggling in reading, extra help will be offered.
In the afternoon, kids will study subjects such as: life skills, financial literacy, public speaking and “grit”. Staff are not teachers- both literally and functionally. Staff are called guides. They are not trained nor licensed as teachers. Their jobs are to work on motivation, relationships and life skills.
Staff will be well paid. Guide starting salary will be 100k and 150K in high cost of living areas. The starting salary for teachers in Montgomery County where Bethesda is located is $66,690. Presently the school will be kindergarten through 8th grade. But there are definitely plans to expand into high school.
Alpha Schools has tried to become a public funded charter school; but so far, it has failed to be approved by any public school system.
While early news was great, critics have questioned the claims of how quickly kids have learned as well as the unconventional training of some of the guides. The curriculum for some of the non-academic teaching has been considered unorthodox.
Sixty-five thousand for two hours of instruction isn’t exactly a bargain, but, hey, this isn’t a discount store.
