About
The Chesterton Schools Network (CSN) is a rapidly expanding force in renewing Catholic education nationwide, empowering parents to open joyful, faithful, and affordable classical high schools in their own communities. Inspired by G.K. Chesterton’s vision of integrated faith and reason—and encouraged by the call of Pope Saint John Paul II to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty—CSN forms students in mind, character, and spirit through a content-rich, tech-free environment where every child is known and loved. Their schools cultivate deep thinking, strong moral foundations, and a genuine sense of wonder, helping students flourish academically and socially. Now the fastest-growing network of Catholic classical high schools in America, CSN is at an inflection point, expanding access to transformational, spiritually -grounded education for the growing number of families seeking something better.
Their Story
Chesterton Schools Network began when parents came together to create the kind of high school they wanted for their own children—joyful, rigorous, integrated, and accessible. When families across the country asked how to build the same model in their communities, the Network was formed to give them the tools, curriculum, coaching, and support to do it. Under the leadership of Emily de Rotstein, whose own family was transformed by the approach, CSN now helps parent groups launch high-quality schools at a fraction of typical startup costs. In just over a decade, the movement has grown from a single school to more than 70 nationwide, powered by parents who believe they can—and should—build excellent schools for their children.
Emily de Rotstein
Executive Director
“At Chesterton Academy, my own son experienced healing. He flourished academically, he made virtuous friends for the first time, and I was so grateful that I left my career in the tech sector to help scale this model for families everywhere.”
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Why they stand out
Chesterton Schools Network stands out for a model that is both academically distinctive and uniquely scalable. Their integrated liberal arts curriculum, anchored in Socratic dialogue and oral defense, forms students who can think clearly, reason deeply, and communicate persuasively—skills rarely cultivated in modern high schools. Their intentionally screen-free classrooms foster focus, curiosity, and genuine community, helping students re-engage with the real world rather than retreat from it. What truly differentiates CSN, however, is its turnkey delivery model: parent groups with no prior experience can launch a fully formed high school in as little as 18 months and at a fraction of typical startup costs. With more than 70 schools and rapid expansion ahead, CSN is proving that a high-quality, human-centered education can scale quickly without sacrificing depth or excellence.
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How they STOP for education
Expanding into states committed to Education Freedom—like Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas—makes Chesterton schools Sustainable through public funding options that keep them accessible and affordable for parents.
Chesterton’s model is Transformational and Outstanding because it empowers parents to create joyful, high-quality schools where students flourish academically and personally in a supportive, deeply engaging learning community.
It’s a perfectly Permissionless model, providing parents the freedom to develop and choose the schools that fit their needs without compromising their hopes and dreams for their children.
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Winning their award
Chesterton Schools Network will use its $1M Yass Prize to dramatically accelerate the launch and sustainability of affordable, faithful Catholic high schools nationwide in states that afford parents the opportunity to make such important choices. This investment is the catalyst to move from 150 projected schools to a long-term vision of 1,000 schools and 100,000 students by 2040. The funding would expand their capacity to meet surging parent demand and scale a model that restores joy, virtue, and academic excellence. In short, the award would fuel an inflection-point expansion of a fast-growing, parent-powered national network.
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