Press Releases

The “Opportunity Knocks” scholarships will support 500 displaced students through high school graduation PHILADELPHIA, Pa., May 13, 2026 — In response to the impending closure of 17 Philadelphia public schools, the Yass Prize today announced the launch of the Opportunity Knocks Scholarship, a private initiative designed to provide immediate educational options for a portion of […]

The $1 Million Yass Prize: The Pulitzer of Education Innovation, Open to Education Providers of Every Type and Scale WASHINGTON, May 5, 2026 — Applications for the nation’s largest education innovation award, the $1 million Yass Prize, close June 1, 2026 at 12:00 P.M. ET. Education providers of every type, sector, and scale are encouraged

Yass Prize Alumni Selected Through Competitive Process to Increase Parent Choices   WASHINGTON, DC – Following a rigorous, pitch-based competition among alumni from the first five Yass Prize cohorts, the Center for Education Reform (CER), on behalf of the Yass Prize, announced a new expansion initiative. Eleven alumni organizations were awarded a package of grants

The “Pulitzer of Education Innovation” – in its sixth year – will reward transformational education providers embodying the STOP Principles WINTER PARK, FL — On Monday, February 9, 2026, in the heart of the country’s school choice epicenter, the Yass Prize announced its 2026 competition at the site of 2025 Yass Prize winner – Chesterton

Award is considered Pulitzer Prize of Education Innovation In a major announcement at the Power of Innovation Summit tonight, the Yass Prize awarded its $1 million grand prize to the Chesterton Schools Network (CSN), recognizing its parent-powered model that enables communities nationwide to launch joyful, rigorous, and affordable classical high schools. Selected from amidst the

Contenders announced at Forbes HQ move on to participate in November business accelerator NEW YORK, NY – 23 education entrepreneurs were announced today as contenders for the 2025 Yass Prize at Forbes on Fifth in New York City. The $1,000,000 prize, viewed as the “Pulitzer for Education Innovation,” finds, rewards, and celebrates education providers which

Texas Education Freedom Award celebrates most expansive ESA in the nation AUSTIN, TX – On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, eleven diverse award-winning education providers were honored with substantial financial investments to support the expansion of their nationally recognized models across the state. An initiative of the Yass Prize, the Texas Education Freedom Award was created

The “Pulitzer of Education Innovation” returns to reward transformational education providers embodying the STOP Principles PROVIDENCE, RI — Standing at the flagship school of 2024 finalist Big Picture Learning, the Center for Education Reform (CER) today announced the official launch of the 2025 Yass Prize competition — offering $1 million to the education provider that

Names AZ Autism Charter School Founder Diana Diaz-Harrison Deputy Assistant Secretary For Special Education   PHOENIX, AZ. In a visit to Arizona Autism Charter School, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon named Diana Diaz-Harrison Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Education & Rehabilitative Services, a post that will put her in charge of guiding policy for the

Awarding-winning schools and education organizations meet to plot a course for the next president, the 119th Congress, and the nation’s new leaders. Washington, D.C. – Education innovators from across the U.S. – diverse in students served, education sectors, and politics – who gathered in the nation’s capital last Thursday want President-elect Trump and the nation’s