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Awardees

Awardees

The 2024 Yass Prize Winner!

Primer Microschools

Congratulations to Primer Microschools, the 2024 Yass Prize $1 Million Winner! Located in Florida and Arizona and growing rapidly, Primer Microschools ignites a love for learning in small, community-driven environments. With a goal of reimagining education, they are preparing the next generation of students to be more critical, more creative, and more empowered over their own learning and progression.
More about this year’s winner
Since 2021, the Yass Prize has recognized over 6,000 education innovators addressing the diverse needs of students across the country. Explore further to celebrate how this year’s winner and finalists contribute to a movement of exceptional and passionate education innovators making a positive impact on thousands of students across the nation.
Read the Announcement

The 2024 Finalists

Big Picture Learning Company

National

Boddle Learning

National

Rural Schools Innovation Zone

Premont, Texas

St. Mary’s Academy

New Orleans, Louisiana

2024 Yass Prize Semifinalists

Meet the 25 Semifinalists selected for the 2024 Yass Prize

VIEW THE 2024 Semifinalists

Yass Award for
Education Freedom

Celebrating States that Expand Education Opportunity

Learn More

Other State Initiatives

Responding in real time to policy opportunities as well as challenges.

VIEW THE Initiatives

Search for More Awardees

The 2023 Yass Prize Winner!

Valiant Cross Academy

Congratulations to Valiant Cross Academy, the 2023 Yass Prize $1 Million Winner! Located in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, Valiant Cross Academy sits just across from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s church – a symbolic inspiration driving the school’s commitment to fostering success for its all-Black male students through faith and academic rigor.

More about this year’s winner

The 2023 Finalists

Black Pastors United for Education

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Cristo Rey Network

National

Detroit Achievement Academy

Detroit, Michigan

The Melanin Village

National

National Fellowship for Black and Latino Male Educators

National

Odyssey

National

Odyssey Charter School

Wilmington, Delaware

St. George Municipal School Unit

Tenants Harbor, Maine

West Virginia Academy

Morgantown, West Virginia

Meet the 2024 Semifinalists

After three rounds of rigorous judging and over 850 judges weighing in, we are happy o introduce the new cohort of Yass Prize Semifinalists. Each receive a minimum of $200,000 to grow and expand in ways that will allow more students to receive the type of education they deserve. School needs to look different, and this new cohort is the single best example of the diversity of excellence and transformational innovation our country has to offer. These schools and organizations are a testament to the positive direction that pre-K to 12 education is headed in as we embark on a new school year. Congratulations, all!
Download the 2024 Semifinalist List
An Achievable Dream

An Achievable Dream

Newport News and Virginia Beach, VA

Aurora Science and Tech High School

Aurora Science and Tech High School

Aurora, CO

Bob Hope Schools

Bob Hope Schools

Port Arthur, TX

Bridgeway Academy

Bridgeway Academy

Columbus, OH

Café Momentum

Café Momentum

National

Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball Charter School

Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball Charter School

New York, NY

Freedom Institute of Collier County

Freedom Institute of Collier County

Naples, FL

Freedom Preparatory Academy

Freedom Preparatory Academy

Memphis, TN

Learning Center for the Deaf

Learning Center for the Deaf

Framingham, MA

Liberty STEAM Charter School

Liberty STEAM Charter School

Sumter, SC

Liguori Academy

Liguori Academy

Philadelphia, pA

Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies

Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies

Elizabeth City, NC

Notre Dame School of Milwaukee

Notre Dame School of Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI

Onward Learning

Onward Learning

Martin, SD

Parents Challenge

Parents Challenge

Colorado Springs, CO

Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship

Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship

Penn Hills, PA

Short Answer

Short Answer

National

Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies

Spark Academy of Advanced Technologies

Manchester, NH

Vimenti

Vimenti

San Juan, PR

WIN Academy at BridgeValley Community and Technical College

WIN Academy at BridgeValley Community and Technical College

South Charleston, WV

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Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School

Bessemer, AL

Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School

Bessemer, AL

AloeVR

National

AloeVR

National

An Achievable Dream

Newport News and Virginia Beach, VA

An Achievable Dream

Newport News and Virginia Beach, VA

Arizona Autism Charter Schools

Phoenix, AZ

Arizona Autism Charter Schools

Phoenix, AZ

Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools

North Little Rock, AR

Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools

North Little Rock, AR

ASU Preparatory Global

Tempe, AZ

ASU Preparatory Global

Tempe, AZ

Atlanta Unbound

Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Unbound

Atlanta, GA

Atlas Public Schools

St. Louis, MO

Atlas Public Schools

St. Louis, MO

Aurora Science and Tech High School

Aurora, CO

Aurora Science and Tech High School

Aurora, CO

Austin Achieve Public Schools

Austin, TX

Austin Achieve Public Schools

Austin, TX

Be More Colorful

Fargo, ND & National

Be More Colorful

Fargo, ND & National

Big Picture Learning Company

National

Big Picture Learning Company

National

Bill of Rights Institute

National

Bill of Rights Institute

National

Black Mothers Forum

Phoenix, AZ

Black Mothers Forum

Phoenix, AZ

Black Pastors United for Education

Harrisburg, PA

Black Pastors United for Education

Harrisburg, PA

Bob Hope Schools

Port Arthur, TX

Bob Hope Schools

Port Arthur, TX

Boddle Learning

National

Boddle Learning

National

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego

San Diego, CA

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego

San Diego, CA

Bridgeway Academy

Columbus, OH

Bridgeway Academy

Columbus, OH

Brilla Public Charter Schools – Paterson

Paterson, NJ

Brilla Public Charter Schools – Paterson

Paterson, NJ

Brooklyn STEAM Center

Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn STEAM Center

Brooklyn, NY

Brookstone School

Charlotte, NC

Brookstone School

Charlotte, NC

Brothers Liberating our Communities

Kansas City, MO

Brothers Liberating our Communities

Kansas City, MO

Build UP

Birmingham, AL

Build UP

Birmingham, AL

Burbrella Learning Academy

Burlington, NC

Burbrella Learning Academy

Burlington, NC

Café Momentum

National

Café Momentum

National

Capital Prep Schools

Bridgeport, CT

Capital Prep Schools

Bridgeport, CT

CARE Elementary School

Miami, FL

CARE Elementary School

Miami, FL

Career Academy of the Palm Beaches

West Palm Beach, FL

Career Academy of the Palm Beaches

West Palm Beach, FL

Catalyst Academy Public Charter School

Pittsburgh, PA

Catalyst Academy Public Charter School

Pittsburgh, PA

Center for Creative Education

West Palm Beach, FL

Center for Creative Education

West Palm Beach, FL

Charleston Classical School

North Charleston, SC

Charleston Classical School

North Charleston, SC

Chesapeake Bay Academy

Virginia Beach, VA

Chesapeake Bay Academy

Virginia Beach, VA

Chickasaw City Schools

Chickasaw, AL

Chickasaw City Schools

Chickasaw, AL

City on a Hill Christian Academy

Fairmont, WV

City on a Hill Christian Academy

Fairmont, WV

ClassBank

National

ClassBank

National

Coded by Kids

Philadelphia, PA

Coded by Kids

Philadelphia, PA

Colēgia, by Academica

Miami, FL

Colēgia, by Academica

Miami, FL

Coleman A. Young II Educational Foundation

Detroit, MI

Coleman A. Young II Educational Foundation

Detroit, MI

College Achieve Public Charter Schools (CAPS)

Tinton Falls, NJ

College Achieve Public Charter Schools (CAPS)

Tinton Falls, NJ

Colossal Academy

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Colossal Academy

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Comp Sci High

Bronx, NY

Comp Sci High

Bronx, NY

CREATE Conservatory

Mount Dora, FL

CREATE Conservatory

Mount Dora, FL

Cristo Rey Network

National

Cristo Rey Network

National

Da Vinci RISE High

El Segundo, CA

Da Vinci RISE High

El Segundo, CA

Dallas Education Foundation

Dallas, TX

Dallas Education Foundation

Dallas, TX

Detroit Achievement Academy

Detroit, MI

Detroit Achievement Academy

Detroit, MI

DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach Public Charter School

Kapolei, HI

DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach Public Charter School

Kapolei, HI

Durham Charter School

Durham, NC

Durham Charter School

Durham, NC

Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball Charter School

New York, NY

Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball Charter School

New York, NY

Edily

San Francisco, CA

Edily

San Francisco, CA

Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute

Cleveland, OH

Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute

Cleveland, OH

Empower Community High School

Aurora, CO

Empower Community High School

Aurora, CO

Engaged Detroit

Detroit, MI

Engaged Detroit

Detroit, MI

Esperanza Academy Charter School

Philadelphia, PA

Esperanza Academy Charter School

Philadelphia, PA

Expert IEP

National

Expert IEP

National

Families Empowered

Houston, TX

Families Empowered

Houston, TX

Father Judge High School

Philadelphia, PA

Father Judge High School

Philadelphia, PA

Freedom Institute of Collier County

Naples, FL

Freedom Institute of Collier County

Naples, FL

Freedom Preparatory Academy

Memphis, TN

Freedom Preparatory Academy

Memphis, TN

Friendship Public Charter School

Washington, DC

Friendship Public Charter School

Washington, DC

Fugees Family, Inc.

National

Fugees Family, Inc.

National

Full STEAM Forward

National

Full STEAM Forward

National

G-Star School of the Arts, Inc

West Palm Beach, FL

G-Star School of the Arts, Inc

West Palm Beach, FL

Gem Innovation Schools of Idaho

Deary, ID

Gem Innovation Schools of Idaho

Deary, ID

Gentlemen’s League

Memphis, TN

Gentlemen’s League

Memphis, TN

GlobalED Solutions, Inc/PBC

Pueblo, CO

GlobalED Solutions, Inc/PBC

Pueblo, CO

Goodwill Excel Center

Memphis, TN

Goodwill Excel Center

Memphis, TN

Gordon Bernell Charter School

Albuquerque, NM

Gordon Bernell Charter School

Albuquerque, NM

Great Hearts America Microschools

Phoenix, AZ

Great Hearts America Microschools

Phoenix, AZ

Great Oaks Foundation

New York, NY

Great Oaks Foundation

New York, NY

Heritage Academy Public Charter School

Jerome, ID

Heritage Academy Public Charter School

Jerome, ID

Herring Gut Coastal Science Center

Port Clyde, ME

Herring Gut Coastal Science Center

Port Clyde, ME

HOPE Ranch Learning Academy

Hudson, FL

HOPE Ranch Learning Academy

Hudson, FL

I Dream Public Charter School

Washington, DC

I Dream Public Charter School

Washington, DC

Indi-ED

St. Petersburg, FL

Indi-ED

St. Petersburg, FL

Jackson Hole Classical Academy

Jackson, WY

Jackson Hole Classical Academy

Jackson, WY

Jumoke Academy Charter School

Hartford, CT

Jumoke Academy Charter School

Hartford, CT

Kaimuki Middle School

Honolulu, HI

Kaimuki Middle School

Honolulu, HI

KaiPod Learning

Boston, MA

KaiPod Learning

Boston, MA

Kairos Academies

St. Louis, MO

Kairos Academies

St. Louis, MO

Kind Academy

Coral Springs, FL

Kind Academy

Coral Springs, FL

Lab51 – One Stone

Boise, Idaho

Lab51 – One Stone

Boise, Idaho

Lancaster Science Factory

Lancaster, PA

Lancaster Science Factory

Lancaster, PA

Latitude Learning Resources

Derry, NH

Latitude Learning Resources

Derry, NH

Launch Expeditionary Learning Charter School

Brooklyn, NY

Launch Expeditionary Learning Charter School

Brooklyn, NY

Leaders to Legends

Omaha, NE

Leaders to Legends

Omaha, NE

Leading Little Arrows

Arlington, TX

Leading Little Arrows

Arlington, TX

Learning Center for the Deaf

Framingham, MA

Learning Center for the Deaf

Framingham, MA

Libertas School of Memphis

Memphis, TN

Libertas School of Memphis

Memphis, TN

Liberty STEAM Charter School

Sumter, SC

Liberty STEAM Charter School

Sumter, SC

LiFT Learning

Bristol, VT

LiFT Learning

Bristol, VT

Liguori Academy

Philadelphia, pA

Liguori Academy

Philadelphia, pA

Living School

New Orleans, LA

Living School

New Orleans, LA

Logos Academy

York, PA

Logos Academy

York, PA

Louisiana Key Academy

Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana Key Academy

Baton Rouge, LA

Lutheran Urban Mission Initiative, Inc. (LUMIN)

Multiple cities, WI

Lutheran Urban Mission Initiative, Inc. (LUMIN)

Multiple cities, WI

Madrona Folk School

Grant Pass, OR

Madrona Folk School

Grant Pass, OR

MAP Academy

Plymouth, MA

MAP Academy

Plymouth, MA

Maryville Academy

Des Plaines, IL

Maryville Academy

Des Plaines, IL

End of Awardees

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The Yass Award is about celebrating and rewarding those who make students the priority.”

Kevin Stitt
Governor,
Oklahoma

I'm a Yass Prize finalist from last year.

And through that, we were able to open up our second campus in the city of Wichita.

Wade Moore
Founder & Dean,
Urban Preparatory Academy

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

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

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

We used the Yass Prize to launch a program called Skypod catalyst, which is essentially an accelerator to help other people start microschools.

We believe very much that microschools should be bottoms up, they come from the community. They're founded by educators who know their community really well. And they want to design a learning environment for the kids in that community.

Amar Kumar
Founder and CEO,
KaiPod Learning, 2022 Yass Prize Seminfinalist

The foundation of any society is a good education.

Jeff Yass
Founder,
The Yass Prize

Having the status of Yass Prize Semifinalist has opened doors that we’ve been knocking on for years,

including public recognition from our Governor and partnership conversations with other education innovators from around the country.

Matthew Chaussee
Founder & CEO,
CareerViewXR & BeMoreColorful

Everyone knows that without great education, our nation suffers.

Great education is a vital link for students to become successful citizens.

Janine Yass
Founder,
The Yass Prize

Because of the Yass Prize, we were able to add an additional pre-K classroom.

Portia Green
Principal,
Prichard Prep, 2022 Yass Prize Semifinalist

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

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

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