When we originally applied, we simply provided supplemental support services to homeschooling families. Now, we are growing into an education network that provides community, coaching, and curriculum nationwide.
Awardees
Awardees
The Most Innovative Education Providers of 2023
The 2023 Yass Prize Quarterfinalists represent a microcosm of 21st century, personalized approaches that better educate students, pre-K through higher education. The extraordinary breadth and depth of these competitors for the grand prize are carving pathways to success that defy convention. From educational metaverses and AI-driven organizations that address the whole learning cycle, to more familiar yet unique learning environments, and from content-rich learning solutions to training and leadership, these amazing 64 awardees are all transforming education for students at every level and every stage of life.
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AloeVR
National
Atlanta Unbound
Atlanta, GA
Bill of Rights Institute
National
Brooklyn STEAM Center
Brooklyn, NY
Career Academy of the Palm Beaches
West Palm Beach, FL
Center for Creative Education
West Palm Beach, FL
Charleston Classical School
North Charleston, SC
City on a Hill Christian Academy
Fairmont, WV
Coleman A. Young II Educational Foundation
Detroit, MI
DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach Public Charter School
Kapolei, HI
Durham Charter School
Durham, NC
Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute
Cleveland, OH
Esperanza Academy Charter School
Philadelphia, PA
Expert IEP
National
Fugees Family, Inc.
National
G-Star School of the Arts, Inc
West Palm Beach, FL
Gentlemen’s League
Memphis, TN
Goodwill Excel Center
Memphis, TN
Gordon Bernell Charter School
Albuquerque, NM
Herring Gut Coastal Science Center
Port Clyde, ME
Leading Little Arrows
Arlington, TX
Maryville Academy
Des Plaines, IL
Modern States Education Alliance
National
Odyssey Leadership Academy
Oklahoma City, OK
Positive Tomorrows, Inc.
Oklahoma City, OK
School of Hope
Fayetteville, NC
Special Care
Oklahoma City, OK
The Innovation School
Bismarck, ND
UrbaNeXt
Cincinnati, OH
Wildflower Schools
Minneapolis, MN & National
The Yass Prize has significantly impacted the trajectory of our organization.
Brenaea Fairchild
Executive Director,
Melanin Village
[The Yass Prize] has galvanized our students and families.
It has created an energy and momentum that is palpable [and] given us practical strategies to rethink our growth plan.
Christine Laurenzi
Founder & Executive Director,
Indi-ED
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
One of the missions of the Yass Prize and the Yass Prize movement is really surfacing best practices in innovation—
in innovators who are doing this type of transformational work, so that others can learn from it and replicate it, so that you can actually grow yourselves.
Jeff Imrich
Co-Founder,
Rock by Rock
We have a tremendously transformative model that could stand for a little disruption.
The Yass experience has given us “permission” to do exactly that.
Kelby Woodard
President & CEO,
Cristo Rey Network
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
It might be the first time you’re speaking where everyone is actually listening and cares about what you’re doing.
I don’t think I’ve been in a room as supportive as the Yass Prize Semifinalist room in Miami.
Brian Curcio
Founder and CEO,
Rapunzl, 2022 Yass Prize Finalist
The Yass Prize is truly changing the landscape of education options across the nation,
and I couldn't be more grateful for what it's done for us, and helping us serve more students and families.
Diana Diaz-Harrison
Founder,
Arizona Autism Charter Schools
The foundation of any society is a good education.
Jeff Yass
Founder,
The Yass Prize
Being a part of the [Yass] family confirmed that what I'm doing is right,
going against the common core and 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 Skaggs
Founder,
SOAR Academy
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
There is absolutely zero downside to being a part of this network by submitting your application and what you will encounter is unlike any other grant.
It's actually mind blowing. I really see myself as an education entrepreneur, but this expanded me.
Diana Diaz-Harrison
Founder,
Arizona Autism Charter Schools
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
I’m dreaming bigger, bolder, and more bodacious [because of the Yass Prize].
It has helped me raise the ceiling on what’s possible.
Keith Brooks
Founder/CEO,
National Fellowship for Black and Latino Male Educators (NFBLME)
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
Because of the Yass Prize, we were able to add an additional pre-K classroom.
Portia Green
Principal,
Prichard Prep, 2022 Yass Prize Semifinalist
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
Being a part of this experience has amplified the access we can give to our students in a way that nothing has, and the access is just critical.
The Yass Prize is almost like Burning Man for education reform.
Cris Gulacy-Worrel
Vice President,
Oakmont Education, 2022 Yass Prize Finalist
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
The Yass Prize process has created an awareness of the education freedom movement within churches and communities.
It's given us an opportunity to start critical discussions with our congregations, parents, community leaders and members, about the laws that govern education in Pennsylvania.
Pastor Joshua Robertson
Founder & Executive Director,
Black Pastors United for Education
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
If you're committed to wanting to be one of the change makers of the future in education, I believe that this is a place for you.
Not only because of the capital, but because of the knowledge that comes by communing with the diverse group of people as opposed to everybody that thinks the exact same way that you might think.
Taylor Shead
Founder and CEO,
STEMuli Studios
The Yass Prize has brought together such diverse leaders
from all different demographics, all different states, all different service provider types that you can learn from.
Taylor Shead
Founder and CEO,
STEMuli Studios
Being a part of this experience has amplified the access we can give to our students in a way that nothing has, and the access is just critical.
The Yass Prize is almost like Burning Man for education reform.
Cris Gulacy-Worrel
Vice President,
Oakmont Education
The Yass Award is about celebrating and rewarding those who make students the priority.”
Kevin Stitt
Governor,
Oklahoma
In a state where alternative education is often overlooked, the Yass community helps us shine.
The Yass Prize has empowered our youth, families and community by bringing great visibility to our efforts.
Dr. LeDonna Griffin
Founder & Executive Director,
Leaders to Legends
The Yass Prize is centered around ensuring that this [program] provides you a stepping stone...
We don’t want you to rinse, wash, repeat. We want you to build and sustain.
Jeanne Allen
Founder & CEO, Center for Education Reform ,
Director, Yass Foundation for Education
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
Believe in your mission… Ground yourself… Never give up…
Sal Khan
Founder,
Khan Academy
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