Press Releases

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

Surprise announcement comes amidst Semifinalist gathering in NYC New York City, Sept. 12, 2024 – The Yass Prize, in partnership with The Center for Education Reform (CER) and Forbes, today announced the 2024 Yass Prize $1 million winner and four finalists that make up the final cohort of the pathbreaking initiative. Together, with the 20

Faith-based Independent High School Network Exemplifies a Transformational Model MIAMI, FL. On Tuesday, February 13th, The Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless Education continues its multi-state Roadshow for Opportunity with a stop in Miami, FL, at Cristo Rey Miami High School of the Cristo Rey Network, an innovative and disruptive faith-based high school