New School Models

1. New School Models

2. Examples AltSchool

3. BASIS Independent Schools Examples

4. Examples Blyth-Templeton Academy

5. To costs“[Acton Academy] has learning guides — they aren’t called teachers — whose role is to push students to own their learning. The model enables the academy to have far fewer on-site adults per student than a traditional independent school and to operate at a cost of roughly $4,000 per student per year….” Michael B. Horn, “The Rise of AltSchool and Other Micro-schools,” educationnext.org New Models = New Approaches… To teacher salaries“We [at AltSchool] take [teachers’] base salary and give them a meaningful but small percentage raise. They also receive a performance-based bonus…. Everyone has equity in company…. [T]here’s something odd [in thinking] that kids will learn 21st century skills from educators who aren’t given a 21st century work environment.”StrictlyVC, “AltSchool Looks to Next Round, as Demand from Parents Balloons”

6. To facilities “[Blyth-Templeton’s] philosophy on facilities is that many cities have space that is unoccupied and they can use that to their advantage to greatly reduce costs and embrace a core value of environmental sustainability.”Donna Orem, “A New Model at a Distinctively Lower Price,” NAIS Independent Ideas Blog New Models = New Approaches… To iteration “What’s most different [about AltSchool compared with independent schools] is the commitment we make to constant iteration.”Carolyn Wilson of AltSchool, quoted in Sizing Up the Competition, SSATB

7. To extracurricular activities “The biggest threat to our schools is something stripped down in structure, with much less commitment to coaches, counselors, and administrators, and with a laser-like focus on high-quality, personalized learning. Parents are increasingly interested in something they can choose for the academics alone…. Today’s parents are looking for an à la carte menu for their children.” CAIS Director Jim McManus, quoted in Sizing Up the Competition, SSATB New Models = New Approaches… To parental input “AltSchool surveys users monthly — and by users they mean both teachers and parents — and changes practices swiftly in response.” Sizing Up the Competition, SSATB

8. Pros and cons “Proponents of for-profit schools claim business models will benefit students, because financial success depends on providing a quality education…. Opponents fear for-profit schools will make students a secondary concern and eliminate beneficial programs that are too expensive or take short-cuts to enhance profitability.” National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, “For-Profit Schools,” Education.com Challenges Faced by For-Profit Schools • What are the possible advantages of for-profit schools? • Greater efficiency • Increased competition • Responsive to clientele • Encouraging innovation • What are the possible disadvantages of for-profit schools? • Lack of institutional history • Misguided focus • Eliminated services • Large added costs

9. What does the emergence and growth of new types of private school models suggest?

10. What does the growth of new school models suggest? Entrepreneur interest and investment in education Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Billions of dollars in education grants Laurene Powell Jobs:$50 million for high school education innovation Mark Zuckerberg: $100 million for Newark public schools and an investment in AltSchool “Silicon Valley entrepreneurs are convinced that the flexibility and innovation of the tech sphere can be productively and profitably applied to the education sector, which is perceived as sclerotic.” Rebecca Mead, “Learn Different: Silicon Valley Disrupts Education,” The New Yorker

11. What does the growth of new school models suggest? Entrepreneur interest and investment in education “Nearly $2 billion in venture capital poured into education last year, but it was companies focused on professional training and continuing education that raked in the largest, nine-digit rounds. AltSchool represents Silicon Valley’s first bet of that magnitude in the fragmented and localized K–12 market. “Moreover, venture investors acknowledge that AltSchool could generate a significant return even if it focuses only on the U.S. private school market, worth $55 billion, according to IBIS World.” Ainsley O’Connell, “Mark Zuckerberg Joins AltSchool’s Backers,” FastCompany.com

12. A shared desire for personalization in education (if not yet a shared definition)“[Beyond] ‘differentiation’ of lessons for students of different skill levels, or efforts to help students move at their own pace … personalized learning must also promote ‘student agency’ —basically, giving students more power through either digital tools or other means, accounting for how they learn best, what motivates them, and their academic goals.” Susan D. Patrick of iNACOL, quoted in “What Is Personalized Learning? Educators Seek Clarity” by Sean Cavanagh, Education Week What does the growth of new school models suggest?

13. A more significant role for technology and data As Matt Candler, founder of 4.0 Schools, writes, “What makes a modern micro-school different from a 19th century, one-room schoolhouse is that old school schools only had a few ways to teach  —  certainly no software, no tutors, and probably less structure around student to student learning. In a modern micro-school, there are ways to get good data from each of these venues. And the great micro-school of the future will lean on well-designed software to help adults evaluate where each kid is learning.” Michael B. Horn, “The Rise of AltSchool and Other Micro-schools,” educationnext.org What does the growth of new school models suggest?

14. A middle class priced out of independent schools “In the post-recession era, as tuitions have grown but wages have remained stagnant, … families in all income ranges have experienced challenges in affording independent school tuition. High-income families … have begun applying for aid in large numbers, creating unprecedented levels of demand on schools’ financial aid funds.” Mark J. Mitchell and Melvin Rhoden, NAIS Trendbook 2015–16 What does the growth of new school models suggest?

15. The possibility for efficiency and innovation through networks “Unlike traditional stand-alone independent schools, BASIS as a system can generate economies of scale. Our network affords us more than a financial advantage. Our academic dialogue is also enriched by being diversified across a national network, which can create far greater curriculum innovation.” Mark Redford of BASIS Independent Schools, quoted in Sizing Up the Competition, SSATB What does the growth of new school models suggest?

16. A generation of parents open to new kinds of education Millennials are the most likely (75%) among all the generational groups to support school choice.American Federation for Children, School Choice Survey Research Results Millennial employees may want to be part of something new and disruptive What does the growth of new school models suggest?

17. Is this disruption to the private school model a threat or an opportunity?

18. Facing the threat 1. Know where your school stands in the market. Explore the DASL Affordability Dashboard. 2. Stay abreast of new schools in your market and nearby markets. 3. Engage your board in generative conversations about the changing landscape, what the world will require of students, and how parent attitudes are shifting. 4. Be ready to talk about the unique value of your school, including in comparison to new kinds of schools.

19. Embracing the opportunity Engage in intentional self-reflection.What are the programs and practices at your school critical to your mission, and what could you flex, and to what outcome? “Understanding and agreeing on what makes your school competitively distinctive is a huge part of the marketing battle. But true victory means knowing not just what your value proposition is but how to tell that story.” Andrea Jarrell, The NAIS Enrollment Management Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for Independent Schools

20. Embracing the opportunity Look for inspiration among all school models.“[The schools on Noodle.com’s list, ‘41 Most Innovative K–12 Schools in America,’] employ revolutionary teaching methods, including flipped classrooms, gamified lessons, phenomenon-based learning, and student-led governance. [They are] broadening technology use with partnerships between engineers and educators. Some have instituted groundbreaking curricula that drive learning outside the walls of classrooms and even schools entirely. A few have reconceptualized the very idea of a school by creating inspiring learning environments in unexpected places, and by using architectural design to guide learning.” Noodle, “41 Most Innovative K–12 Schools in America,” Noodle.com

21. Embracing the opportunity One independent school’s exploration: Lakeside School (WA) plans to open a “micro-school.” “The micro-school would aim to preserve the fundamental component of Lakeside, a high-quality academic education, along with meaningful student-faculty relationships among a diverse body of students and adults. It would differ from Lakeside in more narrowly focusing on academics rather than providing a comprehensive slate of offerings; having somewhat larger class sizes … operating in a modest, leased space, and charging nearly 50 percent less for tuition.” Lakeside School, “Board Approves Micro-school Concept,” Lakeside (Spring 2016)

22. Resources • Michael B. Horn, “The Rise of AltSchool and Other Micro-schools,” educationnext.org • Donna Orem, “A New Model at a Distinctively Lower Price,” NAIS Independent Ideas Blog • StrictlyVC, “AltSchool Looks to Next Round, as Demand from Parents Balloons” • SSATB, Sizing Up the Competition • National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, “For-Profit Schools,” Education.com • Rebecca Mead, “Learn Different: Silicon Valley Disrupts Education,” The New Yorker • Ainsley O’Connell, “Mark Zuckerberg Joins AltSchool’s Backers,” FastCompany.com • Sean Cavanagh, “What Is Personalized Learning? Educators Seek Clarity,” Education Week • Mark J. Mitchell and Melvin Rhoden, NAIS Trendbook 2015–16 • American Federation for Children, School Choice Survey Research Results • Andrea Jarrell, The NAIS Enrollment Management Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for Independent Schools • Noodle, “41 Most Innovative K–12 Schools in America,” Noodle.com • Lakeside School, “Board Approves Micro-school Concept,” Lakeside (Spring 2016)