
Awardees
The Most Innovative Education Providers of 2023
The 2023 Yass Prize Quarterfinalists represent a microcosm of 21st century, personalized approaches that better educate students, pre-K through higher education. The extraordinary breadth and depth of these competitors for the grand prize are carving pathways to success that defy convention. From educational metaverses and AI-driven organizations that address the whole learning cycle, to more familiar yet unique learning environments, and from content-rich learning solutions to training and leadership, these amazing 64 awardees are all transforming education for students at every level and every stage of life.
Yass Award for
Education Freedom
Celebrating States that Expand Education Opportunity
2022 YASS PRIZE WINNER
Arizona Autism Charter Schools
Phoenix, Arizona
The first autism-focused charter school in the western United States is on a mission to change the narrative about students with autism.
The 2022 Finalists
The 2022 Semifinalists
This year’s semifinalists come from 23 different states and really prove that innovation is alive and well in education. Micro schools, pods and hybrid learning environments almost unheard of two years ago are now being utilized by parents and educators across the nation.
The 2022 Quarterfinalists
Our exceptional awardees hail from 33 states and the District of Columbia as well as groups serving the entire nation. They include schools with one location and some with multiple, and represent 8 different kinds of education providers.
Other State Initiatives.
Responding in real time to policy opportunities as well as challenges.

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There are so many heroes who responded to the Covid crisis in the education sector.
You were focused on kids and families. You did what you had to do and we are so grateful for that. We created this award to honor your work and we knew if we built it you would come.
Remember, you are doing the work of civilization.
You are planting the seeds of a better world, despite any bad news, you’re doing great things.
Success happens after many pivots and changes.
Entrepreneurs are the engine of the innovation economy.
The work this remarkable group has accomplished is not only inspirational but can be transformative for millions more students.
Thinking "big" is often about identifying and solving real problems today, but striving to contribute to the growing body of knowledge, and laying the foundation for future leaders to have big breakthroughs.
Too often, we look for success by analyzing an education system, rather than analyzing the success of the actual learners within the system.
That’s why we need more project-based and problem-based learning models.
These sessions have become an oasis of calm and zen in my day, where I can turn off Slack and my emails...and just focus on learning from experts and basking in the energy of this community.
The challenge in education is the stakes are so high.
It's one thing to have a product fail but failure to educate children has enormous consequences. One way to address this challenge is to think about innovation in a "fail fast" model where you learn very quickly what's working and what's not so you can iterate and improve quickly.
We are so inspired by the Yass Prize participants, semi-finalists, and the courage, innovation and leadership of educators from across the country who have amplified the application of their brilliance to make the lives of their students better as they faced the daunting challenges of the pandemic.
I hope you all think about the fact that the impact you are having, you will never even know how widespread it is.
That’s the beauty of education, you impact lives in such a deep way.
We realized long ago that there’s a lot of money in the system, and it’s just not directed to the children.
This group of innovators has the opportunity to show the world what is possible for kids, what doesn't yet exist for so many children who deserve the opportunity to be entrepreneurs and to shine as out of the box thinkers.
This group of innovators has the opportunity to show the world what is possible for kids, what doesn't yet exist for so many children who deserve the opportunity to be entrepreneurs and to shine as out of the box thinkers.