Ventures

Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education (WAVE) is a public school that will launch in Ypsilanti, Michigan in Fall 2023. The school intends to serve 100 students at full enrollment across grades 6-8. WAVE offers a flexible, student-centered, project-based approach to learning for students who need an alternative to the traditional school model. WAVE is available as part of local Washtenaw public school districts’ participation in the Washtenaw Educational Options Consortium. WAVE is one of the anchor programs designed for students seeking a non-traditional school experience, through their home school district.

We LEAD Academy is a public charter school that will launch in St. Louis, Missouri in Fall 2022. The school intends to serve approximately 700 students at full enrollment across grades Kindergarten through 8th. Our mission is to leverage the power of media and storytelling to equip students with the agency to author their own futures and make meaningful contributions in their communities. We LEAD’s educational program is grounded in four pillars of learning: storytelling, progressive learner autonomy, real-word inquiry, and whole-child development. Our pillars allow us to reimagine education through a holistic approach to academic achievement and student success.

West Dallas STEM School is a public school that launched in Dallas, Texas in Fall 2022. This school intends to serve over 900 students at full enrollment across grades PreK3 through 8th grade. West Dallas STEM School is a 4-way partnership between SMU, Toyota, Dallas ISD, and West Dallas Community partners including families and nonprofit organizations. Using innovative strategies and placed based learning, we support student academic achievement such that students graduate college and career ready for 21st century jobs and beyond.

Why Not You Academy is a public school that launched in Des Moines, Washington in Fall 2021. The school intents to serve 416 students at full enrollment across grades 9-12. Why Not You Academy surrounds students with a web of supports, from caring teachers, success-focused peers, experienced school leaders, mentors from the professional community, and internships focused on real-world applications of their classroom learning. Students learn to think critically, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively while developing personalized learning plans focused on college and career preparation.