The Dummies Guide to Proposing a School to Alpha

What is Alpha Schools?

Alpha Schools represents a fundamentally different approach to education with several distinguishing features:

• Two-hour learning philosophy: Front-loading common core curriculum efficiently so students can spend more time pursuing passions, valuable skills, and trades
• Non-dogmatic approach: You don't have to use the "Alpha Schools" brand name if another brand makes more sense for your target demographic
• Flexible technology: While Alpha has invested millions in effective middle school technology (roughly called "Time Back"), you're not required to use it if you can build something better for your specific focus
• Diverse school types: Open to proposals for different types of schools, including adult education, but with a default emphasis on middle schools

Why Middle Schools?

Alpha encourages exploration of middle school concepts because:

1. Middle school is when brain development and identity formation are critical
2. It's the highest leverage time to impact kids
3. The middle school market is more "greenfield" with less competition than high schools
4. Creating an excellent, specialized middle school provides a natural path to later build a high school version

What Makes a Good School Proposal?

1. Specialization

Specialization is fundamental to a strong proposal. The school leader should:

• Have credibility in the industry they're focusing on
• Know the industry deeply (understand talent gaps, competitive landscape)
• Be able to articulate how their school fills a gap in that specialization
• Use their industry credibility to secure grants, attract legendary instructors, gain industry sponsorships, and convince parents

2. Start Small & Scale Deliberately

• Begin with as few students as possible (10-15 students)
• Start with a single grade (e.g., sixth grade only)
• Add one grade level per year as you expand
• Test as few variables as possible, nailing each component before expanding
• Create SOPs incrementally each year
• Have a vision for how the school could eventually serve thousands of students across multiple locations

3. Location Strategy

• Consider locations with opportunity for scale
• Think about how a single specialized school could grow into a network with hundreds or thousands of students across multiple locations
• Consider geographic clustering for ease of oversight and quality control

4. Parent Enthusiasm

• Parents must be genuinely excited about the school concept
• Since many specialized schools won't have proven results at first, the concept must be compelling enough that parents will enroll despite the experimental nature
• The school must have a clear value proposition that resonates with parents' aspirations for their children

5. Founder Fit

• School leaders must have the right background and skills for their specialized school
• Credibility in the industry is essential for partnerships and parent trust
• Operational experience (academic or business) helps ensure sustainability
• A clear, passionate vision that can attract others

6. Media Strategy from Day One

• Every school must function as a media company from the beginning
• Document the journey and showcase the model to build interest
• Use media to answer questions about how the model works
• Feature coaches and mentors to build credibility

7. Multiple Revenue Streams

The best school proposals think beyond tuition:

• Function as an events company
• Develop real estate assets
• Create apparel/merchandise
• Secure industry sponsorships
• Offer membership models
• Host community programming

8. Unique Worldview/Philosophy

• Your school should have a specific point of view about what makes a good citizen or creator
• Create an "anchor archetype" of who you're trying to develop
• Articulate your educational philosophy clearly

How to Know If You're Ready to Engage the Alpha Executive Team

You're ready when you have:

1. A clear specialization with demonstrated personal credibility in that area
2. A defined initial scope (number of students, grade levels, curriculum approach)
3. Evidence of parent enthusiasm (even informal market research counts)
4. Initial partnerships or Letters of Intent (LOIs) from relevant industry players
5. A financial model showing path to sustainability (even if initially subsidized)
6. A talent strategy for securing instructors/guides with relevant expertise
7. A scaling vision that demonstrates how your model could grow

What Support Can Alpha Provide?

Alpha can assist in various ways depending on the proposal:

Advice/Strategic Support

• School design consultation
• Curriculum integration with Alpha's model
• Operational guidance
• Branding/marketing strategy

Funding

• Initial startup costs
• Technology infrastructure
• Facilities investment (rental or purchase)
• Bridge funding until sustainability

Talent Recruitment

• Connecting with specialized instructors
• Administrative talent
• Technology implementation experts
• Recruiting specialized advisors/mentors

The Proposal Process

1. Initial Concept Development

   • Define specialization and unique approach
   • Research market need and parent interest
   • Outline initial scope and scaling vision

2. Building Proof Points

   • Secure Letters of Intent from key partners
   • Identify anchor instructors/talent
   • Document parent/student interest
   • Develop initial financial projections

3. Proposal Submission

   • Create a comprehensive proposal document
   • Include all evidence gathered
   • Clearly articulate support needed from Alpha

4. Refinement with Alpha Team

   • Iterate on the proposal with Alpha feedback
   • Address questions and concerns
   • Finalize implementation plan and timeline

5. Launch Planning

   • Secure facilities
   • Recruit initial staff
   • Begin enrollment
   • Prepare curriculum and infrastructure

What Alpha Is Looking For: Low Risk, High Reward Schools

Alpha prioritizes proposals that are:

Low Risk

• Led by founders with proven industry credibility
• Starting small with manageable scope
• Having secured early partnerships/endorsements
• Showing clear parent enthusiasm for the concept

High Reward

• Potential to create a replicable model
• Addressing underserved specialization needs
• Creating strong public narrative opportunity
• Building valuable IP or curriculum
• Potential for multiple revenue streams
• Creating leadership pipeline for future schools

Movement Building Alignment

• Schools that build communities around shared values
• Models that can spread beyond a single location
• Specializations that solve important societal needs
• Approaches that challenge outdated educational models
• Concepts that attract attention and change the conversation about education

Example: A Music-Focused Middle School

A strong music school proposal might include:

• Founded by industry professionals with connections to major artists/labels
• Design that resembles a high-end record store with professional-grade equipment
• Curated record collection and performance spaces
• Industry partnerships for masterclasses and mentorship
• Multiple revenue streams (events, recording studio rental, merchandise)
• Clear specialization in particular genres or aspects of music

Example: A Golf-Focused Middle School

A strong golf school proposal might include:

• Partnerships with multiple golf courses for training
• Top-tier instructors with proven records developing young talent
• Media strategy documenting student progress
• Corporate sponsorships from golf equipment manufacturers
• Flexible, traveling model that allows play at multiple courses
• Clear competitive advantage over traditional schools for golf development

Final Thoughts

The most successful proposals will treat schools as the next generation of cult brands—places that develop identity, foster community, and build movements. Alpha believes that the best future brands will be schools that create tribes of like-minded individuals with shared values and skills. Your proposal should demonstrate how your school concept can become more than just an educational institution but a foundation for a broader movement that aligns with Alpha's vision for transforming education.