Alpha Palo Alto is open and enrolling.
Join us for an info session, and see firsthand why Alpha is ranked among the best private schools thanks to its groundbreaking learning model.
When choosing a school, nothing matters more than hearing from families just like yours.
These Alpha parents share how their children gained confidence, learned faster, and rediscovered their love of school.
In one evening, you’ll see how Alpha kids learn twice as fast, meet guides, and talk with parents whose kids are already thriving. Walk away knowing whether Alpha is the right fit for your child.
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Alpha Palo Alto
Dr. Tasha Arnold is a dynamic educational leader with extensive experience in American and international schools across the US, Europe, and Asia. She has spent her career transforming schools, implementing innovative learning models, and fostering personalized educational experiences that empower students to reach their highest potential. She has taught at the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels, specializing in IB/AP Sciences and Learning Support across various curriculums (USA, UK, IB, and AP).
I joined Alpha because I believe in redefining education. Personalization, hands-on learning, and skill development are the pillars of a truly impactful education. Alpha’s approach aligns with my vision of ensuring every child thrives academically, socially, and emotionally in a way that is uniquely suited to them.
Lia Kim is a scientist, coach, and educator with experience in American and international schools across California, Hawai'i, and Korea. What drives her work is the science of motivation, and coaching is how she puts it to work, one student at a time. She holds a M.A. in Education and B.S. in Earth Systems from Stanford University. She has designed and launched a regenerative agriculture program across a 98-acre campus in Hawai'i, where restoring native ecosystems was the assignment and students ran the land as a working classroom. She has also served as a research fellow for a New York Times bestselling author, has published research in ecology, and was named the 2025 Outstanding New Biology Teacher — the single recipient nationwide. Lia is also a songwriter who speaks five languages and plays six instruments.
Savannah Diederich is an educator and former Division I student-athlete who is passionate about empowering students to build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. She earned her bachelor's degree in Sport and Recreation Administration with a minor in Business from the University of Mississippi, where she competed as a pitcher and helped lead the Ole Miss softball program to six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, before completing a master's degree in Higher Education with an emphasis in Intercollegiate Athletics. Her career has centered on coaching, player development, and college recruiting, mentoring students and helping young athletes pursue opportunities to continue their education at the collegiate level. Outside of the classroom, Savannah enjoys traveling, wake surfing, painting, and country line dancing, and believes that curiosity and lifelong learning extend far beyond the classroom.
I joined Alpha because I believe every student deserves an education that is personalized, challenging, and inspiring. Alpha's innovative approach empowers students to take ownership of their learning while developing the confidence, curiosity, and life skills they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Heeju Park is an educator with a passion for personalized learning, early literacy, and helping students build confidence through meaningful challenges. She spent four years teaching in public schools on the Upper East Side of New York City, where she developed a strong foundation in meeting the needs of diverse learners in inclusive classroom settings. Across a variety of educational environments, she has specialized in early childhood education, special education, and literacy instruction, with a consistent focus on individualized learning pathways that support each child’s unique strengths and needs. Her approach blends rigorous academic foundations with hands-on, real-world experiences that empower students to become independent, curious, and resilient learners. Heeju holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from New York University and an M.A. as a Literacy Specialist (Birth–2nd Grade certified) from Columbia University, where she attended on the full-ride Abby O'Neil Scholarship. She also holds a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and has been recognized with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for her commitment to serving others. Outside the classroom, Heeju enjoys exploring new restaurants and capturing food and travel through photography and video. She's always looking for her next adventure, whether it's stepping outside her comfort zone or training toward her goal of running a marathon. Her message to students this year is simple: learn it, try it, mess it up, make it better, and grow like a tree. If you think you can beat her at basketball—or want to hear what it was like living in New York City—be sure to ask!
I joined Alpha because I believe learning should inspire students to take risks, embrace mistakes, and discover what they're capable of. The best education doesn't just teach knowledge—it builds confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. Alpha's personalized, hands-on approach gives every child the opportunity to grow in ways that are uniquely meaningful to them.
Before joining Alpha, Bailey spent over 5 years as a primary teacher for 4th and 5th grade (English & STEM) and 6+ years as a university instructor teaching math and education to K-12 educators pursuing their master's degrees. She also co-founded an AI in Education company to help support teachers through the shift toward AI-powered learning. Bailey holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership (winner of the Robert Kottkamp Outstanding Dissertation Award), an M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership, bachelor's degrees in Elementary Education and Spanish, certificates in Instructional Coaching and School Technology Leadership, a California multiple subjects credential, and is a current National Board for Professional Teaching Standards candidate. She enjoys connecting with others; she genuinely loves playing with students and learning alongside people. Outside of Alpha, you might spot her around town training for her 3rd consecutive Golden Gate half marathon, or on the ice, since figure skating is her hobby of choice. She loves taking risks and pushing her comfort zone; come find her and ask about bungee jumping or skydiving in New Zealand! This year, Bailey's mission is bringing Alpha to the heart of Silicon Valley helping to drive lasting innovation in education.
I joined Alpha because I believe in organizations that learn and reflect, never losing sight of the student. Our vision is clear, its mission is simple, and together we are redefining education. That is exactly why I dedicated my career to education and why for me it is impossible not to be part of it.
Emma Ludwick is a research-driven educational leader who creates learning environments where students thrive. Her experience includes a decade at Stanford's Bing Nursery School and Child Development Research Lab, clinical training with Harvard and Boston Children's Hospital, school building, and co-founding an education consultancy. She's spent her career studying how children learn and leading new school models through periods of significant growth, driven by a passion for the intersection of human development and innovation. Emma holds a Master of Education from Harvard and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Stanford, where she graduated cum laude. She's a certified Google AI Educator, holds a California State Program Director Child Development Permit, and is completing her Doctor of Education in Leadership & Learning in Organizations at Vanderbilt. When not researching, Emma can be found in the pool. She played water polo at Stanford alongside four Olympic silver medalists, then traded it for marathons and triathlons, racing both sprint and half Ironman distances. These days she prefers open ocean water, having swum alongside humpback whales, dolphin pods, and the occasional shark. Ask her which creature she's hoping to swim with next.
Understanding what enables young humans to thrive and then building environments that foster their optimal outcomes has driven my entire career. Alpha is at the forefront of building a future for education anchored in the belief that children should love school and have limitless potential. It’s a vision I support with my whole heart and I'm honored to be part of this incredible work and the necessary reinvention of education.
Max Michelini is a driven operator joining Alpha as Campus Coordinator, bringing a track record of fast-paced execution and consistent follow-through from his sales career at Rippling and Charles Schwab. He specializes in high-touch communication, problem-solving under pressure, and building trust with the people he works with — skills honed through managing high-volume outbound and inbound pipelines, coordinating cross-functionally with Account Executives, and earning recognition like Charles Schwab's STAR Award for engagement and adaptability. At Alpha, he's channeling that same discipline into running the operational backbone of campus life, so students can move through their day without friction and families feel confident their kids are safe, supported, and set up to thrive. Throughout the school year, he'll be the steady, visible presence who keeps the workshops/core skills schedule on track, resolves tech and facilities hiccups before they become distractions, and builds the kind of trust with parents that comes from clear, consistent communication. "I thrive on clear processes and visible impact. Keeping every detail accounted for so learning can happen without interruption is exactly the kind of high-standards work I want to be doing. Kids deserve to love school and families deserve to feel that every day on campus is intentional and cared for." Outside of work, Maxwell is a Bay Area native through and through. He grew up playing a ton of sports and still carries that competitive, team-oriented spirit with him today. These days, you'll almost always find him on the golf course on weekends, chasing a good round and enjoying the game whenever he can.
Free began his career in education over 20 years ago in Richmond, Virginia, where he taught math and English at multiple area public middle and high schools. After transitioning to independent schools, he has served in a range of leadership roles, including Director of Student Activities, Assistant Athletic Director, Director of Admissions, and most recently, Director of Community, Culture & Engagement. Free completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Maine, Orono, where he played wide receiver and was a founding member of the Student Heritage Alliance Center. He earned a Master's Degree in Independent School and Nonprofit Leadership from the Klingenstein Center, Teachers College at Columbia University, and currently serves as co-chair of the Vanguard Conference, which supports young Black men and their families in independent schools across the Bay Area. Free lives in Oakland with his wife, where they're enjoying raising their first child. When time permits, he channels his love of basketball into games at San Quentin State Prison, where he's built lifelong relationships and found a deeper way to give back to the community.
What drew me to Alpha was that the model is designed to meet students exactly where they are. Throughout my time in schools, I've seen families searching for the same thing: one-to-one instruction paired with a genuine social setting. Alpha delivers both, and does it in a way that builds real-world skills you simply don't find in other models.
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