📚

Innovative Learning at Alpha School

Mar 27, 2025

Lecture Notes: Reinventing Education at Alpha School

Introduction

  • Focus: Enabling real-world success for students
  • Method: 2-hour academic learning + life skills development
  • Three commitments:
    1. Students will love school.
    2. Learn twice as much in just 2 hours.
    3. Develop lifelong skills.

Curriculum Overview

Kindergarten to 1st Grade

  • Instill limitless mindset and growth mindset
  • Academic focus: Fast-paced learning in 2 hours
    • Mastery of skills like presentations, sight words, math fluency
  • By end of 1st grade, students rank in top 1% nationwide
  • Life skills: Independence and community respect
    • Activities: Shoe tying, swimming, puzzles, bike racing
    • Workshops: Better Together for community respect

2nd Grade

  • Reinforcement of limitless mindset
  • Academic: Fastest learners, prefer efficient learning model
  • Life skills:
    • Completing 'impossible' tasks like 5K runs, spelling bees
    • Public speaking through fun activities
    • Entrepreneurial skills: Business creation and financial literacy
  • Outcome: Students become athletes, broadcasters, master spellers, and entrepreneurs

3rd and 4th Grade

  • Focus on independence
  • Academic: Overcoming "stuck points" in learning
  • Life skills:
    • Financial literacy and independence
    • Afternoon activities: Coding, drones, Rubik's Cube, triathlons
    • Student-run town halls for community impact

5th and 6th Grade

  • Emphasis on teamwork
  • Workshops:
    • Hype Squad for peer encouragement
    • Entrepreneurial activity: Launching a food truck
  • Community contribution and global awareness
    • Example: Fundraising gala for Ukrainian refugees
  • Academic: Introduction of comprehensive writing program

Middle School Overview

  • Preparation for high school academically and socially
  • Academic goals:
    • Students in top 5% of ISE and SSAT tests
    • Preparation for selective high schools
  • Social Skills:
    • Navigating high school social scenes
    • Workshops: Cafeteria social exercises
  • Personal Development:
    • Finding passions and values
    • Workshops: Jae Se Ikigai and You Are What You Do

Conclusion

  • Alpha School leverages AI to optimize learning
  • Potential for creative development
  • Vision: Redefine parental expectations in private education
  • Exciting future for K-8 education