We Have Been Underestimating Children

*[By Wendy](https://wendyx3.substack.com/)*

I recently had the opportunity to spend the day with Alpha School students. I wish every teacher and parent could experience this.

I watched 3rd–6th graders demonstrate more independence, initiative, and problem-solving than my high school students.

It was a complete 180 from my traditional public school classroom, where directions are displayed, spoken, repeated, and students still ask, “What are we supposed to be doing?”

These students collaborate, troubleshoot, and iterate their projects almost entirely on their own. They give each other constructive feedback. They track their own progress, start their own learning activities, and schedule coaching calls when they’re stuck, all without an adult telling them step by step what to do.

I tutor private school students on the side. I usually coordinate logistics through their parents. These Alpha elementary school students are more self-directed than most of my private school students.

The culture at Alpha is unlike anything I’ve seen in a school. When a classmate gets a perfect score on an assessment, the whole room celebrates. There’s no fear of being called a “try-hard.” The students genuinely want each other to win. And when a student doesn’t achieve the desired outcome, their peers offer encouragement and uplifting comments. Excellence is expected, and there are no excuses like, “it’s okay…it was a hard test.”

I also had the opportunity to observe the students practicing for an upcoming presentation. I watched a fourth grader command a room with more composure, clarity, and confidence than I’ve seen at professional development sessions.

The great debate on screen time usually surfaces when Alpha’s name comes up, so I want to address that also. The two hours of academics that take place on screens are actually less screen time than most traditional schools use. In the afternoon, students were only on devices for purposeful tasks like designing in Tinkercad or researching material costs to budget for their workshop projects.

Every teacher should spend a day on an Alpha campus. It forces an uncomfortable realization that we have normalized limiting students, not only academically, but also in their identity. We have taught them that needing help is expected, that waiting for instructions is appropriate, and that someone else is always responsible for their learning.

Children conform to the expectations we set for them.

Alpha flipped the script. They took autonomy far beyond the traditional “choice board” or token independence activities. They rebuilt the entire model around the belief that children are capable of far more than we typically ask of them.

The results are very clear. Give students real independence and agency, and they become self-directed learners who expect to solve problems, not wait for instructions.

Before the predictable “those are just rich kids” replies arrive, this campus costs $15,000 a year.

Not $40,000.

The “income selection effect” argument is on borrowed time.

---

You can see why this article grabbed my attention. Public school teachers are having the same realization: if we educate kids the next 10 years the same way we have for 100 years, they’ll go into an AI world with no skills that matter.

Now for the good news I’ve been sitting on: her shadow day wasn’t the end of the story. She made it through our application process and recently announced where she’s headed next.

![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/%24s_!_pVG!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F673ccb60-1556-4e81-84dd-dc3c8d7d2934_1204x1346.png)

Can’t wait to see what [Wendy](https://x.com/teachthemx3) builds at Alpha.

*Teachers in the comments: what would you need to see to believe a model like this is real?*

## Structured data

### Organization

- **https://alpha.school/#Organization**
  - **School locations**:
    - [Texas > Austin](https://alpha.school/austin/)
    - [Texas > Brownsville](https://alpha.school/brownsville/)
    - [Texas > Dallas > Plano](https://alpha.school/plano/)
    - [Texas > Fort Worth](https://alpha.school/fort-worth/)
    - [Arizona > Scottsdale](https://alpha.school/scottsdale/)
    - [California > San Francisco](https://alpha.school/san-francisco/)
    - [California > Santa Barbara](https://alpha.school/santa-barbara/)
    - [California > Orange County](https://alpha.school/orange-county/)
    - [Florida > Miami](https://alpha.school/miami/)
    - [Florida > Palm Beach](https://alpha.school/palm-beach/)
    - [New York > New York City](https://alpha.school/new-york-city/)
    - [Virginia > DC > Chantilly](https://alpha.school/chantilly/)
    - [Opening Fall 2026 > California > East Bay](https://alpha.school/east-bay/)
    - [Opening Fall 2026 > California > Palo Alto](https://alpha.school/palo-alto/)
    - [Opening Fall 2026 > California > Santa Monica](https://alpha.school/santa-monica/)
    - [Opening Fall 2026 > Georgia > Atlanta](https://alpha.school/atlanta/)
    - [Opening Fall 2026 > Illinois > Chicago](https://alpha.school/chicago/)
    - [Opening Fall 2026 > North Carolina > Charlotte](https://alpha.school/charlotte/)
    - [Opening Fall 2026 > North Carolina > Raleigh](https://alpha.school/raleigh/)
    - [Opening Fall 2026 > Puerto Rico > Dorado](https://alpha.school/dorado/)
    - [Opening Fall 2026 > Texas > Houston > The Woodlands](https://alpha.school/the-woodlands/)
    - [Opening Fall 2026 > Texas > Southlake](https://alpha.school/southlake/)

## Structured data (JSON-LD)

```json
[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"FAQPage","@id":"FAQ","headline":"Alpha School FAQs: Academics, Life Skills, and Guides","keywords":"","datePublished":"2025-09-11T00:00:00Z","dateModified":"2025-10-08T00:00:00Z","dateCreated":"2025-09-11T00:00:00Z","author":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Alpha School","description":"","url":"https:\/\/alpha.school"},"mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What is Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha School is a private K-12 school that uses an AI-powered platform to teach all academic subjects in a hyper-efficient two-hour block, allowing students to learn up to 10 times faster than in traditional schools. The rest of the day is spent on project-based \"life skills.\""}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why hasn't the education model changed in 200 years?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The current model of a teacher in front of a class of 20-30 students was created for the industrial age as a way to deliver mass education. While learning science has known for 40 years that this is one of the worst ways to teach, there hasn't been a technology that could deliver individualized, mastery-based instruction at scale until the recent advent of Generative AI."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What does \"mastery-based learning\" actually mean at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It means a student must prove they understand a concept with over 90% accuracy before the system allows them to move on. In traditional schools, a student can pass with 70%, meaning they miss 30% of the material. Alpha's approach is like sports: you master the fundamentals (like dribbling) before you practice advanced plays (the alley-oop). This prevents the knowledge gaps that cause students to struggle later on."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can the Alpha School model help students who are already far behind?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Because the learning rate is so fast, students can catch up quickly. An entire grade level of material in one subject only takes 20 to 30 hours to master on the platform. A student who is two years behind is only about 40-60 hours of work away from being at grade level, a gap that can be closed in a matter of months."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What do kids at Alpha School do for the rest of the day after the two hours of academics?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"They participate in hands-on, collaborative workshops designed to teach life skills. Examples include fifth graders running a profitable Airbnb, launching a food truck, second graders training for and running a 5K, and high schoolers producing a Broadway-style musical."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do you scale the \"life skills\" portion of the day at Alpha School? Isn't that hard to standardize?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"For K-8 students, Alpha School has developed a structured curriculum of workshops and projects that can be rolled out systematically across campuses. For high schoolers, the model shifts to a \"super passion project\" where students have four years to work on a major, self-directed goal with mentorship, forcing them to become self-driven learners who can source their own resources."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the role of teachers at Alpha School? Are they replaced by AI?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Adults are critical, but their role changes completely. They are called \"Guides\" and do zero academic teaching. Their entire job is to motivate, mentor, build relationships, and facilitate the afternoon life skill workshops."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much are \"Guides\" at Alpha School paid compared to traditional teachers?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The minimum pay for a Guide at Alpha School is $100,000, which is roughly double the average teacher pay in the Austin market. This allows the school to attract top talent from both inside and outside the traditional education field."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the biggest challenges or skeptical arguments against the Alpha School model?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The primary challenge is proving it can work at scale outside of a well-funded private school with a select student body. Another issue is that parents have very different ideas about the purpose of education; some prioritize academics, while others value social aspects or other skills, making a \"one-size-fits-all\" solution difficult. The technology itself also needs refinement to eliminate AI errors or \"hallucinations.\""}},{"@type":"Question","name":"At Alpha School, is my child on a screen for two hours straight? Is that healthy?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha views this as \"very good screen time.\" Unlike passive consumption, your child is actively engaged in a learning dialogue with the AI tutor. The system is designed for focus, using 25-minute \"Pomodoro\" sessions for each subject. The goal is maximum efficiency to free up the rest of the day for screen-free, collaborative activities."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"At Alpha School, how do you prevent my child from just using AI to cheat?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"This is a key design feature. The \"Time Back\" platform is not a chatbot like ChatGPT, which is often used for cheating. The AI's purpose is to generate personalized lessons and questions and then provide targeted feedback. It acts as a tutor and a coach, not an answer machine. Functions that would enable cheating are not activated."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do I know this is actually working? Does Alpha School use standardized tests?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Alpha School uses third-party standardized tests, like the MAPS test, to measure progress. Parents receive a mid-year update showing their child's growth. The results consistently show that in two hours a day, students learn twice as much as their peers who spend six hours a day in a traditional classroom."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What happens at Alpha School if my child gets stuck on a problem? Is there a human to help?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Absolutely. While the AI is the primary academic instructor, the \"Guides\" (teachers) constantly monitor student progress. During the two-hour academic block, Guides will frequently pull students aside for one-on-one check-ins to offer encouragement, discuss challenges, and ensure they feel supported."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"My child is already gifted and ahead of their grade. Will they be bored at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No, this model is ideal for gifted students. Because learning isn't tied to a grade level, a student at the 99th percentile isn't capped. The system will continue to feed them advanced material at their own pace, allowing them to get years ahead of their peers."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"With only two hours of academics at Alpha School, does this mean no homework?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"That's the goal. The system is designed to be so efficient that the traditional model of a six-hour school day plus homework becomes completely unnecessary. The only exception is for students who are significantly behind when they start and choose to do extra work to catch up faster."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does Alpha School motivate my child to do the work? What if they don't want to?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Motivation is 90% of the solution at Alpha. While the main motivator is earning back four hours of their day for fun projects, the school uses many other tools tailored to the child. This can range from earning stickers or a class petting zoo for younger kids, to friendly competition on leaderboards, to earning \"Alpha Bucks\" to fund their passion projects or learn financial literacy."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"If kids are on computers at Alpha School, how do they develop social skills?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Socialization is a primary focus of the other four hours of the day. The afternoon life-skill workshops are team-based, collaborative, and project-driven. This is where students learn teamwork, leadership, and relationship-building by working together on real-world challenges, like running a business."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"You set very high standards at Alpha School, like running a 5K. What if my child fails or isn't athletic?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The philosophy is \"high standards, high support.\" The goal isn't just the achievement itself, but teaching the process of reaching a difficult goal. In the 5K example, students are taught \"atomic habits\" and start by simply walking the track. They build up incrementally with constant encouragement from their Guide. The program teaches them how to do hard things, building resilience and a growth mindset."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Alpha School sounds very different and risky. How can I be sure it's the right choice for my child?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The founder acknowledges that it can seem \"weird\" at first because it's so different from our own experience. However, the model is based on 40 years of proven learning science. The school's commitments are clear: your child will love school, they will learn twice as fast, and they will learn critical life skills. The school uses hard data from standardized tests to prove the academic results, and the high engagement in the afternoon workshops speaks for itself."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Alpha School is a high-end private school. Is this model just for rich kids?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The physical Alpha School campuses are expensive, but the long-term vision is the opposite. The goal is to perfect the \"Time Back\" software platform and make it accessible and affordable for everyone. The vision is a future where any child on the planet can get a world-class education for two hours a day on a sub-$1000 tablet."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why is American K-12 education doing so poorly despite massive spending?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The system is built on a flawed, time-based model. We advance students every year based on age, not on whether they've mastered the material. This creates compounding knowledge gaps, leading to a steady decline in performance as students are promoted with a weak foundation."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the single biggest unlock to fix education?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Switching from a time-based system to a mastery-based system, where students must demonstrate proficiency before moving on. This ensures every child has a solid foundation. When powered by AI tutors, this approach is highly efficient and scalable."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How can kids really learn 10 times faster at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Traditional classrooms are incredibly inefficient, with retention from lectures as low as 5%. An AI tutor provides a personalized, one-on-one lesson plan for each student, keeping them in the optimal learning zone (the \"zone of proximal development\"). It ensures they master basics before advancing, eliminating time wasted on remediation and allowing them to cover material much more quickly. An entire year's math curriculum can be mastered in just 20-30 hours."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is paying kids to get good grades a bad idea?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Not necessarily. It can actually be a powerful \"unlock.\" For a student who believes they \"can't\" succeed, an extrinsic motivator like a $1,000 reward can provide the initial push needed to do the work. Once they achieve a high standard they thought was impossible, their entire self-perception changes, creating a powerful intrinsic motivation that lasts long after the reward is gone. It's the kindling that starts the fire."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the role of human teachers at Alpha School if AI is doing the teaching?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Their role becomes more important, not less. Freed from grading tests and delivering repetitive lectures, they become guides and mentors. They focus on connecting with students one-on-one, providing motivational and emotional support, setting high standards, and teaching the life skills\u2014leadership, teamwork, public speaking\u2014that AI can't."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is a mastery-based system?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It's an educational approach where students progress based on their mastery of a concept, not on a fixed schedule. If you don't understand fractions, you don't move on to algebra. This prevents the knowledge gaps that plague the traditional system."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does Alpha School\u2019s \"2-hour learning\" block work?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Students spend a focused, two-hour block on core academics using AI-powered apps. Once they complete their daily lessons to a mastery standard, their \"school work\" is done. The rest of the day is freed up for workshops, sports, and projects focused on life skills."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the key principles of learning science used at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The model incorporates well-established concepts like Bloom's 2 Sigma (the effectiveness of tutoring), the zone of proximal development (keeping content not too hard, not too easy), cognitive load theory (not overloading working memory), and active learning (testing over passive listening)."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How is AI the \"light microscope\" for education?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"For decades, learning science has described a better way to teach, but it was impossible to implement at scale in a traditional classroom. AI is the instrument that finally allows us to measure what a student knows with precision and deliver a perfectly tailored, one-on-one lesson, making the theories of learning science a practical reality for every child."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How will Generative AI create better lessons?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Generative AI can create dynamic, endlessly engaging content tailored to each child's interests. If a student loves baseball, their math problems will be about batting averages. If they love the musical Hamilton, their history lessons will be presented as song lyrics. This makes learning compelling and relevant, not a chore."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is there still a technology risk in the Alpha School model?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The technology behind Alpha School is continuously improving, but the model doesn\u2019t rely on any single tool. It combines adaptive, real-time learning with human mentorship, so students engage in personalized experiences. Like any emerging technology, there\u2019s ongoing work to ensure quality and consistency. The bigger challenge is not the tech itself, but helping families understand and embrace a new model of school."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why hasn't Alpha's learning model been done before, if the ideas are 40 years old?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Because there was no scalable, cost-effective technology to deliver personalized, mastery-based tutoring. You couldn't give every child a dedicated human tutor. AI is the first tool that can provide that one-on-one relationship to millions of students simultaneously."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What's the biggest obstacle to the adoption of Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Inertia and mindset. The \"teacher in front of a classroom\" model is all anyone knows. The biggest challenge is convincing parents, educators, and policymakers to embrace a complete rebuild of the school day, even if it's proven to be vastly superior."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do you plan to make the Alpha School model affordable and accessible to everyone?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The cost is primarily in the AI compute, which is currently expensive. However, with the rapid development of on-device AI chips, the expectation is that within 3-5 years, a sub-$1000 tablet will have all the local processing power needed to run these AI tutors. The goal is to make this accessible to a billion kids, including through public and charter schools."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is Alpha's core philosophy?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It's built on three commitments to parents: 1) Your child will love school more than vacation. 2) Your child will master academics and score in the top 1% nationally, but in only two hours per day. 3) The key to your child's happiness and success is being held to high standards in a highly supportive environment."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What kind of person is a \"Guide\" at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Guides are responsible for motivational and emotional support, not academic instruction. Alpha hires two main groups: the world's best traditional teachers who are thrilled to stop lecturing and grading quizzes, and high-achieving individuals like ex-coaches, athletes, and Olympians who serve as impressive role models and can motivate kids to achieve greatness."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does Alpha School deal with students who are behind academically?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The AI platform first assesses them to find their true knowledge level, ignoring their age or previous grades. Because a full grade level of material only takes about 20 hours to master, a student who is three years behind can catch up in just 60 hours. Joe Liemandt says, \"We can catch them up in no time.\""}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why doesn't Alpha School use chatbots if it's an AI-powered school?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Joe Liemandt states that chatbots are terrible for learning because 90% of kids use them to cheat, turning them into \"cheatbots.\" Instead of chat, Alpha's AI uses a vision model that watches the student's screen and coaches them on their learning process, with a \"waste meter\" that shows them how much time they are wasting."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What exactly is happening in the two\u2011hour academic day at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Students work one\u2011on\u2011one with an AI tutor (no teacher lecturing) and, according to Joe Liemandt, learn over twice as much as peers in six hours plus homework; he claims Alpha\u2019s classes are top\u20111%, and catch\u2011up from bottom to top quartile can happen in ~two years."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the concrete student\u2011motivation tools at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The product is called Time Back (finish earlier to do projects you love). Other tools include screen\u2011time trades (e.g., 1 hour tutor \u2192 1 hour games) with parental buy\u2011in, and financial incentives where appropriate."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Do incentives at Alpha School, like paying students, actually work?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Joe Liemandt cites Roland Fryer\u2019s work (e.g., Houston) and says paying kids\u2014structured to build daily habits\u2014was most effective among teacher\/parent\/student options."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What has Alpha tried in public schools?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"In MTSS level\u20113 pilots (bottom ~10%), Alpha tied gift\u2011card unlocks to finishing lessons; teachers and parents reported the approach transformed students\u2019 lives."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What about refugee learners?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha\u2019s learn\u2011and\u2011earn program for Ukrainian refugees used $2.50\/day incentives (doubling with streaks), with 1,000+ children participating."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Isn\u2019t AI in school just a cheating machine?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Joe Liemandt warns that open chatbots become \u201ccheatbots\u201d (he says 90% of students will cheat if given them). Alpha School\u2019s design avoids that paradigm and uses AI to tutor\/coach rather than provide answers via a chatbot."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What\u2019s the north\u2011star vision and funding plan for Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Joe Liemandt says he has committed $1B to a full\u2011stack reinvention and aims for on\u2011device AI on sub\u2011$1,000 tablets to reach a billion learners over the next 20 years."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Any stated political\/policy views tied to Alpha's learning model?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Lonsdale asserts New York State currently bans AI in schools and frames a national debate about whether AI will be allowed to help kids; both discuss school choice as a path for innovation. (This is reported as their on\u2011air statements.)"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does Alpha School treat debate\/civics?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Students are taught to steelman both sides of debates; Joe Liemandt recounts formative experiences arguing positions he disagreed with to build understanding."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is Alpha School\u2019s \u201c2\u2011hour learning\u201d model?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A student spends ~two hours with an AI tutor on personalized, mastery\u2011based academics; when complete, the interface \u201cgoes green,\u201d and students transition to life\u2011skills workshops for the rest of the day."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What do kids at Alpha School do after academics?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Workshops in leadership, teamwork, grit, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, storytelling\/public speaking, and relationship-building\/socialization."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does Alpha School handle students who are behind?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha starts with diagnostic testing (knowledge grade), then assigns targeted lessons. A full grade level is usually 20\u201330 hours of mastery work; three years behind \u2248 ~60 hours of focused study (e.g., a third hour per day)."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Are transcript grades reliable indicators of mastery?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Not necessarily. Incoming \u201cA\u201d students often range from +1 to \u20133 grades; \u201cB\u201d students \u20133 to \u20137 grades behind, based on Alpha School\u2019s standardized diagnostics."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How good can outcomes get in two hours at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Joe Liemandt states the engine supports top\u20111% performance on standardized tests with the 2\u2011hour model."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What motivates students to do the hard work at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The highest\u2011impact lever is \u201cTime Back\u201d (finishing academics to earn compelling afternoons). Alpha also uses lightweight incentives like \u201c100 for 100\u201d to catalyze mastery and change self\u2011perception."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What evidence suggests the traditional school model underperforms?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Joe Liemandt cites data that the median U.S. high\u2011schooler gains about 1 point (of 300) across four years\u2014a symptom of time\u2011based progression and prerequisite gaps."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is Alpha School only for wealthy families?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha is the high\u2011end model, but the team is building lower\u2011cost formats (e.g., sports academies, higher guide\u2011to\u2011student ratios) while preserving the academic engine."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What about SAT\/AP\u2011level outcomes at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The model aims to deliver 2\u20133 hours\/day of academics and strong results (e.g., 1550+ SAT, AP 5s) while freeing afternoons for multi\u2011year projects."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is Timeback?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Timeback is a platform packaging the learning engine so builders can open schools or apps on top of it (Alpha afternoons are programmable). A AAA video game built on the engine is intended to be free\u2011to\u2011learn and massively scalable."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What exactly does two hours of academics mean at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Two hours of academics means students spend about two hours with an AI tutor designed on learning\u2011science principles; he claims they learn more than 2\u00d7 as much as a traditional six\u2011hour school day with homework."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How fast is \u201c10\u00d7 faster\u201d?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Joe Liemandt describes a learning\u2011science\u2011based engine that \u201cteaches ~10\u00d7 faster,\u201d emphasizing it is \u201cnot like ChatGPT\u201d."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What life skills do students actually practice at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha School students develop life skills in leadership, teamwork, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, socialization\/relationship\u2011building, storytelling\/public speaking, and grit. Examples include post\u2011game press conferences for public speaking skills and a 5th\u2011grade food truck for entrepreneurship and financial literacy."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much does Alpha School cost now, and what\u2019s the plan to reduce costs in the future?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha tuition is $40k\u2013$75k; micro\u2011schools at ~$15k are launching, with ~$12k vouchers bringing family pay to ~$300\u2013$400\/month."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What\u2019s the long\u2011term scale vision of Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Joe Liemandt says the target is a sub\u2011$1,000 tablet that \u201cteaches everything in two hours\u201d for a billion kids; he says he has invested $1B to start."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"MBA or build?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Asked whether people should do MBAs, Joe Liemandt answers \u201cNo,\u201d arguing two years building is far more valuable."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does Alpha School teach kids about money?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Joe Liemandt describes financial literacy from kindergarten through high school; investing simulations and borrowing with interest to demonstrate 25% APR."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"When will Alpha be coming to my city?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha School is expanding to new cities across the United States as demand grows. Families who are interested in bringing Alpha to their area can register their interest here:\r\nhttps:\/\/alpha.school\/bring-alpha-to-your-city\/\r\nWhen you complete the interest form, our team tracks demand by city and region. The best way to accelerate Alpha coming to your area is to raise your hand and let us know you're interested. Families who submit the form will be the first to receive updates if we begin exploring a campus in their city."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Are kids only in school for 2 hours at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Students attend a full school day, similar to a traditional school schedule.\r\nThe difference is that core academics are completed in about two hours using personalized, mastery-based learning software. By condensing academics into two hours, students move faster than in a traditional classroom while achieving deep mastery of the material.\r\nThe rest of the day is intentionally designed for activities that traditional schools often struggle to fit in, including:\r\n\u25cf Leadership workshops\r\n\u25cf Public speaking\r\n\u25cf Entrepreneurship projects\r\n\u25cf Team collaboration\r\n\u25cf Physical activity\r\n\u25cf Creative problem solving\r\n\u25cf Life skills development\r\nThis model is often referred to as \u201c2-Hour Learning.\u201d It allows students to complete rigorous academics efficiently while gaining practical, real-world skills."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is a robot teaching the students at Alpha School?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. There is no robot teaching students at Alpha School.\r\nWhile students use personalized learning software to complete their academic lessons, that technology is simply a tool, not a robot. Using this AI-tutor means:\r\n\u25cf Every student learns at the right level for them\r\n\u25cf Students can move faster in subjects they excel in\r\n\u25cf Students receive additional practice when needed\r\n\u25cf Students achieve 90% mastery in each concept before they move on\r\nStudents at Alpha spend more meaningful time with caring adults than in traditional schools. The heart of Alpha is the Guide, not the technology.\r\nGuides are dedicated mentors who work closely with students each day. They don\u2019t stand at the front of a classroom delivering lectures. Instead, they spend their time coaching, motivating, and truly getting to know each child.\r\nAt Alpha, the standard for Guides is to have a deep impact on every student. Guides make the learning meaningful. They focus on building trust, developing confidence, and helping every student grow, not just academically, but as a person."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Does Alpha really have no teachers?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha School absolutely has educators.\r\nAt Alpha, the role of the teacher is redefined and elevated. Instead of lecturing the same lesson to 25\u201330 students at once, our educators, called Guides, focus on what humans do best:\r\n\u25cf Mentoring students\r\n\u25cf Supporting emotional development\r\n\u25cf Coaching leadership skills\r\n\u25cf Encouraging curiosity and motivation\r\n\u25cf Helping students set and achieve goals\r\nBecause AI and adaptive software handle routine academic instruction, Guides can spend more time supporting each student individually."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is AI replacing teachers at Alpha?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Alpha School believes great educators are more important than ever.\r\nThe difference is how their time is used.\r\nInstead of spending most of the day delivering lectures and grading assignments, Alpha Guides focus on mentorship, coaching, and helping students develop confidence, resilience, and leadership skills.\r\nIn fact, Alpha School invests heavily in its educators. Guides earn six-figure salaries, reflecting the importance of their role in student development."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Do students at Alpha sit on computers all day?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No.\r\nStudents typically spend about two hours per day on academic learning software. The remainder of the school day includes interactive and collaborative experiences such as:\r\n\u25cf Group projects\r\n\u25cf Socratic discussions\r\n\u25cf Leadership challenges\r\n\u25cf Entrepreneurship labs\r\n\u25cf Public speaking workshops\r\n\u25cf Physical activity\r\n\u25cf Creative exploration\r\nThe goal is to use technology only where it improves learning, and dedicate the rest of the day to human interaction and skill development."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is Alpha's learning model proven?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha School has been operating for more than a decade and continues to expand as families seek alternatives to traditional education models.\r\nStudents regularly take nationally recognized assessments such as MAP Growth, which allow progress to be measured against national benchmarks.\r\nResults have consistently shown that Alpha students perform in the top 1\u20132% nationally and frequently progress academically twice as fast as the national average."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is Alpha School an online school?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"We have both. Alpha School is an in-person school with a full campus experience.\r\nStudents attend school together each day, collaborate on projects, participate in workshops, and build friendships just like in a traditional school setting.\r\nAlpha Anywhere is the online version of Alpha School, which is mostly used by homeschoolers. It is the same academic platform that students use at Alpha School, completing academics in just two hours per day."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Do students still learn core subjects like math, reading, and science?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes.\r\nStudents complete all state and federal mandated core curriculum covering all academic subjects, including:\r\n\u25cf Mathematics\r\n\u25cf Reading and writing\r\n\u25cf Science\r\n\u25cf History and social studies\r\nThe difference is that students progress through the material using mastery-based learning, meaning they only move forward once they fully understand the concept."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is the Alpha's learning model new or experimental?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha School has been operating for more than a decade and has expanded to multiple campuses across the United States.\r\nThe model has been refined over years of classroom experience and is supported by research on mastery learning, adaptive software, and personalized education."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does Alpha support students socially?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha students spend much of the day working together on challenges, discussions, and projects.\r\nBecause academics are completed efficiently, students actually have more time for collaboration and social interaction than in traditional schools.\r\nStudents regularly participate in:\r\n\u25cf Team challenges\r\n\u25cf Public speaking events\r\n\u25cf Group projects\r\n\u25cf Leadership exercises\r\n\u25cf Clubs and activities"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who is Alpha designed for?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha School is designed for students who thrive when they can learn at their own pace and develop real-world skills alongside strong academics.\r\nFamilies are often drawn to Alpha because it offers:\r\n\u25cf Personalized learning\r\n\u25cf Leadership development\r\n\u25cf Entrepreneurial thinking\r\n\u25cf A future-focused education model"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why does Alpha focus on life skills?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Traditional education often prioritizes memorization and standardized testing. Alpha School believes students should also develop skills that matter in the real world.\r\nThat includes:\r\n\u25cf Leadership\r\n\u25cf Communication\r\n\u25cf Entrepreneurship\r\n\u25cf Critical thinking\r\n\u25cf Resilience\r\n\u25cf Collaboration\r\nThese skills are intentionally built into the school day and led by Guides."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why does Alpha focus on completing academics efficiently?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The goal is not to reduce academic rigor. Instead, the goal is to remove inefficiencies from the traditional classroom model.\r\nIn traditional schools, much of the day is spent on lectures, waiting for classmates to catch up, or repeating material students already understand.\r\nPersonalized learning allows students to:\r\n\u25cf Move forward once they master a concept\r\n\u25cf Spend more time where they need support\r\n\u25cf Progress faster in subjects where they excel\r\nThis efficiency frees up time for leadership development and life skills."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is Alpha School an experiment?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Alpha School is the result of more than a decade of development and iteration.\r\nThe model combines well-established educational principles such as:\r\n\u25cf Mastery-based learning\r\n\u25cf Personalized instruction\r\n\u25cf Mentorship-based teaching\r\n\u25cf Project-based learning\r\nThese ideas have been studied for decades and are combined at Alpha, in collaboration with some of the world\u2019s leading learning scientists, in a way that allows students to learn efficiently while developing real-world skills."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Do students still interact with other students in the Alpha's learning model?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Alpha students collaborate frequently throughout the day.\r\nBecause academics are completed efficiently, students actually have more time for collaboration and group activities than in traditional school models.\r\nStudents regularly participate in:\r\n\u25cf Team projects\r\n\u25cf Leadership challenges\r\n\u25cf Public speaking exercises\r\n\u25cf Socratic discussions\r\n\u25cf Clubs and extracurricular activities"}}],"about":[{"@type":"Thing","name":"Alpha School"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" AI-powered education"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" mastery-based learning"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" two-hour academics"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" K-12"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" personalized instruction"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" life skills"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" Guides"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" motivation"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" standardized tests"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" screen time"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" anti-cheating safeguards"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" gifted students"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" remediation"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" homework policy"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" social skills"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" high standards"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" passion projects"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" scalability"},{"@type":"Thing","name":" accessibility"}],"image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/alpha.school\/blog\/we-have-been-underestimating-children\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/alpha.school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/https3A2F2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com2Fpublic2Fimages2Fd1778fcd-a57d-4205-bf17-2f83704e9e7b_1856x1218.webp","width":"1200","height":"675"},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/alpha.school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/https3A2F2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com2Fpublic2Fimages2Fd1778fcd-a57d-4205-bf17-2f83704e9e7b_1856x1218-1200x900.webp","width":"1200","height":"900"},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/alpha.school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/https3A2F2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com2Fpublic2Fimages2Fd1778fcd-a57d-4205-bf17-2f83704e9e7b_1856x1218-675x675.webp","width":"675","height":"675"}]},

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Turns out she was there as part of a shadow experience we run with applicants for guide roles. Basically, she was trying to figure out if this model is real.  We hear from parents and researchers all the time about \u201ceducation in the age of AI,\u201d but we almost never hear directly from teachers. So I wanted to share her article with you.  Here\u2019s where she landed.          We Have Been Underestimating Children      By Wendy    I recently had the opportunity to spend the day with Alpha School students. I wish every teacher and parent could experience this.  I watched 3rd\u20136th graders demonstrate more independence, initiative, and problem-solving than my high school students.  It was a complete 180 from my traditional public school classroom, where directions are displayed, spoken, repeated, and students still ask, \u201cWhat are we supposed to be doing?\u201d  These students collaborate, troubleshoot, and iterate their projects almost entirely on their own. They give each other constructive feedback. They track their own progress, start their own learning activities, and schedule coaching calls when they\u2019re stuck, all without an adult telling them step by step what to do.  I tutor private school students on the side. I usually coordinate logistics through their parents. These Alpha elementary school students are more self-directed than most of my private school students.  The culture at Alpha is unlike anything I\u2019ve seen in a school. When a classmate gets a perfect score on an assessment, the whole room celebrates. There\u2019s no fear of being called a \u201ctry-hard.\u201d The students genuinely want each other to win. And when a student doesn\u2019t achieve the desired outcome, their peers offer encouragement and uplifting comments. Excellence is expected, and there are no excuses like, \u201cit\u2019s okay\u2026it was a hard test.\u201d  I also had the opportunity to observe the students practicing for an upcoming presentation. I watched a fourth grader command a room with more composure, clarity, and confidence than I\u2019ve seen at professional development sessions.  The great debate on screen time usually surfaces when Alpha\u2019s name comes up, so I want to address that also. The two hours of academics that take place on screens are actually less screen time than most traditional schools use. In the afternoon, students were only on devices for purposeful tasks like designing in Tinkercad or researching material costs to budget for their workshop projects.  Every teacher should spend a day on an Alpha campus. It forces an uncomfortable realization that we have normalized limiting students, not only academically, but also in their identity. We have taught them that needing help is expected, that waiting for instructions is appropriate, and that someone else is always responsible for their learning.  Children conform to the expectations we set for them.  Alpha flipped the script. They took autonomy far beyond the traditional \u201cchoice board\u201d or token independence activities. They rebuilt the entire model around the belief that children are capable of far more than we typically ask of them.  The results are very clear. Give students real independence and agency, and they become self-directed learners who expect to solve problems, not wait for instructions.  Before the predictable \u201cthose are just rich kids\u201d replies arrive, this campus costs $15,000 a year.  Not $40,000.  The \u201cincome selection effect\u201d argument is on borrowed time.      You can see why this article grabbed my attention. Public school teachers are having the same realization: if we educate kids the next 10 years the same way we have for 100 years, they\u2019ll go into an AI world with no skills that matter.  Now for the good news I\u2019ve been sitting on: her shadow day wasn\u2019t the end of the story. She made it through our application process and recently announced where she\u2019s headed next.        Can\u2019t wait to see what Wendy builds at Alpha.  Teachers in the comments: what would you need to see to believe a model like this is real?","datePublished":"2026-04-21T19:00:21+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-28T19:03:56+00:00","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"MacKenzie Price","description":"MacKenzie Price, Co-Founder of 2 Hour Learning and Alpha Schools, is revolutionizing K-12 education.\r\nA Stanford graduate in Psychology, MacKenzie Price always knew that education needed revolution, but when her daughters told her that school was boring, she knew that the time for a change was now.\r\n\r\nAnd that is why she created the 2 Hour Learning model, empowering students to crush core academics in just two hours a day and giving them the gift of four hours to pursue their passions while mastering life skills.\r\n\r\nStarting with the first Alpha School, MacKenzie\u2019s vision became a reality. Students score in the top 1-2% nationally, and over 90% said they love going to school. This success led to the expansion of Alpha Schools across multiple cities \u2013 Miami, Brownsville, and counting. Her model is also used at Alpha High, Sports Academy, NextGen Academy, and GT School, changing the educational landscape for hundreds of students.\r\n\r\nMacKenzie also hosts the Future of Education podcast and YouTube channel, discussing AI\u2019s role in education and how students can align their passions with their skills for personal and academic growth, amongst other topics. As a member of the Forbes Technology Council, she continues to drive discussions on innovative education.\r\n\r\nMacKenzie lives in Austin, Texas with her family and aims to make 2 Hour Learning a global phenomenon.","url":"https:\/\/alpha.school\/author\/mackenzie-price\/","sameAs":["https:\/\/2hourlearning.com\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/people\/MacKenzie-Price\/100090162887050\/","https:\/\/x.com\/mackenzieprice","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/futureof_education\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mackenzielprice\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCKHZkY1J1NyKypLn80Pj19A","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/MacKenzie_Price"],"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/alpha.school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cropped-Mackenzie-Price-Felicia-Reed-Photography-Austin-Tx-Austin-Tx-2-1200x800-1-96x96.webp","height":96,"width":96}},"editor":{"@type":"Person","name":"MacKenzie Price","description":"MacKenzie Price, Co-Founder of 2 Hour Learning and Alpha Schools, is revolutionizing K-12 education.\r\nA Stanford graduate in Psychology, MacKenzie Price always knew that education needed revolution, but when her daughters told her that school was boring, she knew that the time for a change was now.\r\n\r\nAnd that is why she created the 2 Hour Learning model, empowering students to crush core academics in just two hours a day and giving them the gift of four hours to pursue their passions while mastering life skills.\r\n\r\nStarting with the first Alpha School, MacKenzie\u2019s vision became a reality. Students score in the top 1-2% nationally, and over 90% said they love going to school. This success led to the expansion of Alpha Schools across multiple cities \u2013 Miami, Brownsville, and counting. Her model is also used at Alpha High, Sports Academy, NextGen Academy, and GT School, changing the educational landscape for hundreds of students.\r\n\r\nMacKenzie also hosts the Future of Education podcast and YouTube channel, discussing AI\u2019s role in education and how students can align their passions with their skills for personal and academic growth, amongst other topics. As a member of the Forbes Technology Council, she continues to drive discussions on innovative education.\r\n\r\nMacKenzie lives in Austin, Texas with her family and aims to make 2 Hour Learning a global phenomenon.","url":"https:\/\/alpha.school\/author\/mackenzie-price\/","sameAs":["https:\/\/2hourlearning.com\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/people\/MacKenzie-Price\/100090162887050\/","https:\/\/x.com\/mackenzieprice","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/futureof_education\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mackenzielprice\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCKHZkY1J1NyKypLn80Pj19A","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/MacKenzie_Price"],"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/alpha.school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cropped-Mackenzie-Price-Felicia-Reed-Photography-Austin-Tx-Austin-Tx-2-1200x800-1-96x96.webp","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/alpha.school#Organization"},"image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/alpha.school\/blog\/we-have-been-underestimating-children\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/alpha.school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/https3A2F2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com2Fpublic2Fimages2Fd1778fcd-a57d-4205-bf17-2f83704e9e7b_1856x1218.webp","width":"1200","height":"675"},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/alpha.school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/https3A2F2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com2Fpublic2Fimages2Fd1778fcd-a57d-4205-bf17-2f83704e9e7b_1856x1218-1200x900.webp","width":"1200","height":"900"},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/alpha.school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/https3A2F2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com2Fpublic2Fimages2Fd1778fcd-a57d-4205-bf17-2f83704e9e7b_1856x1218-675x675.webp","width":"675","height":"675"}],"isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/alpha.school\/blog\/we-have-been-underestimating-children\/#webpage"}}]},

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```

Generated timestamp: 2026-04-29 02:19:44 UTC