We believe very much that microschools should be bottoms up, they come from the community. They're founded by educators who know their community really well. And they want to design a learning environment for the kids in that community.
Awardees
Awardees
Dramatically Unconventional & Groundbreaking
the 2023 33 Semifinalists
Their efforts are innovative, unique, and groundbreaking in redefining and transforming education – providers who deliver AI-infused personalized learning in both traditional & new forms of schooling, small learning environments that give students curricular choice; life saving certifications for marginalized & at-risk populations, core content delivery, and recruitment, training & empowerment programs for teachers, parents, & school leaders. We salute them in their journey and wish them the best as they work toward the $1 million Yass Prize!
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We used the Yass Prize to launch a program called Skypod catalyst, which is essentially an accelerator to help other people start microschools.
Amar Kumar
Founder and CEO,
KaiPod Learning, 2022 Yass Prize Seminfinalist
Believe in your mission… Ground yourself… Never give up…
Sal Khan
Founder,
Khan Academy
The Yass Award is about celebrating and rewarding those who make students the priority.”
Kevin Stitt
Governor,
Oklahoma
There is absolutely zero downside to being a part of this network by submitting your application and what you will encounter is unlike any other grant.
It's actually mind blowing. I really see myself as an education entrepreneur, but this expanded me.
Diana Diaz-Harrison
Founder,
Arizona Autism Charter Schools
If you're committed to wanting to be one of the change makers of the future in education, I believe that this is a place for you.
Not only because of the capital, but because of the knowledge that comes by communing with the diverse group of people as opposed to everybody that thinks the exact same way that you might think.
Taylor Shead
Founder and CEO,
STEMuli Studios
The foundation of any society is a good education.
Jeff Yass
Founder,
The Yass Prize
We have a tremendously transformative model that could stand for a little disruption.
The Yass experience has given us “permission” to do exactly that.
Kelby Woodard
President & CEO,
Cristo Rey Network
Being a part of the [Yass] family confirmed that what I'm doing is right,
going against the common core and focusing on what we know is important for kids really works, and having a network of people now that also agree was super huge.
Kenisha Skaggs
Founder,
SOAR Academy
It might be the first time you’re speaking where everyone is actually listening and cares about what you’re doing.
I don’t think I’ve been in a room as supportive as the Yass Prize Semifinalist room in Miami.
Brian Curcio
Founder and CEO,
Rapunzl, 2022 Yass Prize Finalist
I'm a Yass Prize finalist from last year.
And through that, we were able to open up our second campus in the city of Wichita.
Wade Moore
Founder & Dean,
Urban Preparatory Academy
When we follow the money, it’s ludicrous how this country is getting away with funding education.
The funding is not following children. We're trying to make better options for kids, for poor kids, middle class kids. Wealthy people have this choice, they opt out of their systems easily, why shouldn't all children have that choice?
Janine Yass
Founder,
The Yass Prize
The Yass Prize is centered around ensuring that this [program] provides you a stepping stone...
We don’t want you to rinse, wash, repeat. We want you to build and sustain.
Jeanne Allen
Founder & CEO, Center for Education Reform ,
Director, Yass Foundation for Education
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