in innovators who are doing this type of transformational work, so that others can learn from it and replicate it, so that you can actually grow yourselves.
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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One of the missions of the Yass Prize and the Yass Prize movement is really surfacing best practices in innovation—
Jeff Imrich
Co-Founder,
Rock by Rock
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
Education is one of the most fundamental pillars for democratizing opportunities for success that we have in our society.
It’s thanks to organizations like the Yass Prize that our children are going to have a better tomorrow.
Francis X. Suarez
Mayor,
City of Miami
The Yass Prize process has created an awareness of the education freedom movement within churches and communities.
It's given us an opportunity to start critical discussions with our congregations, parents, community leaders and members, about the laws that govern education in Pennsylvania.
Pastor Joshua Robertson
Founder & Executive Director,
Black Pastors United for Education
Being a part of the [Yass] family confirmed that what I'm doing is right,
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 Scaggs
Founder,
SOAR Academy
Because of the Yass Prize, we were able to add an additional pre-K classroom.
Portia Green
Principal,
Prichard Prep, 2022 Yass Prize Semifinalist
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
Yass brought us together, creating opportunities to create an educational universe within which we can look at education differently…
we have to find academic experiences that represent neuro-divergent learners, kids who want to learn about gaming, who want to do stuff online, who dropped out of school.
Dr. Steve Perry
Head of Schools,
Capital Preparatory Schools
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
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
I’m dreaming bigger, bolder, and more bodacious [because of the Yass Prize].
It has helped me raise the ceiling on what’s possible.
Keith Brooks
Founder/CEO,
National Fellowship for Black and Latino Male Educators (NFBLME)
Our newest endeavor – that was part of our Yass Prize initiative – we're bringing career and technical education into the school
I'm in the process of going through the construction of a 20,000 square foot $11.5 million dollar building dedicated to career and technical education for the students in the Philadelphia region.
Brian Patrick King
President,
Father Judge High School, 2022 Yass Prize Semifinalist
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