Call Summary: Prenda Platform & Christian Microschool Vision

Overview

Gary conducted an exploratory call with Prenda microschool specialists Katelyn Gibson and Brittany Munk to understand the platform as a potential vehicle for launching Christian church-based microschools in Texas. The conversation evolved from standard platform inquiry to strategic discussion about the emerging opportunity at the intersection of Texas school choice legislation, church facilities, and faith-based education entrepreneurship. Both Prenda representatives expressed exceptional interest in Gary's vision and offered connections to leadership.

Key Topics Discussed

Gary's Background & Interest in Microschools

• Alpha Schools Experience: Completed coding bootcamp funded by Alpha Schools founder, consulted on growth and engineering at Alpha, ultimately proved not to be the best fit
• Educational Philosophy: "I do believe that there needs to be a lot more experimentation when it comes to the future of education"
• Current Exploration: Fact-finding for himself and educators in his network curious about platforms for educational entrepreneurial endeavors
• Specific Contact: Has someone specific in mind (later revealed as Tauren Wells' Whitestone Church near Austin) for potential microschool launch
• Long-term Vision: Network of Christian microschools weaving in AI and coding courses, potentially "Christian Micro School Alliance"

Texas TIFA Scholarship Program & Prenda Eligibility

• Two-Year Requirement: Texas legislation requires schools to be in operation for at least two years to qualify for TIFA scholarship program
• Prenda Umbrella Provision: December 2025 rules clarified that microschools working with entities like Prenda that have 2+ years of operation meet eligibility requirements
• Scholarship Amount: Approximately $10,000 per student
• Pending Authorization: Prenda actively engaged with Texas EFA administrators; expecting to be on vendor list by end of December 2025
• Formal Accreditation: Middle States accreditation formal session in April 2025, but pending documentation allows immediate enrollment
• Practical Timeline: Schools can start finalizing setup now in prendaworld.com and begin adding students; formal approval will come before fall semester begins

Prenda Platform Capabilities

• Guide Fee Structure: No fee for guides to use Prenda; platform charges per-student fee, guides set their own tuition
• Invoicing: Prenda handles all invoicing directly with scholarship funds; guides don't collect payments themselves
• Curriculum: Multiple curriculum options available, mastery-based approach, includes workbook alternatives to reduce screen time
• AI Tutoring: Built-in AI tutors that help students without giving direct answers
• Diagnostics: I-Ready diagnostics testing to assess students and set year-end goals
• Progress Tracking: Reports show on-track/off-track status for parent and guide visibility
• Flexibility: Guides can incorporate additional programming (coding, Bible study) and charge additional fees for after-school activities

Church-Based Microschool Opportunity

• Florida Model: Churches in Florida have extensively adopted microschools through their youth programs; similar scholarship program exists there
• Church Benefits: Free facility usage, built-in trust with congregation, additional income stream for churches
• Community Model: Non-church members can also approach churches to rent space and pay commission
• Texas Potential: "Texas is very a strong. It's going to be a really great opportunity for pastors or businesses to work through church buildings"
• February Trip: Prenda team traveling to Texas in February; many clients they're meeting are church owners

Guide Requirements & Teaching Model

• Not Traditional Teaching: "These are true guides. So the child each child is on that customized learning path, so they're doing their work. The guide just kind of goes around"
• Software-Driven: Software grades work, advances students, provides AI tutoring assistance
• Minimum Requirements: Caring adult passionate about education; cannot homeschool only own children (must include non-custodial students)
• Accessibility: "That's why they're able to do, like, 10 kids on different levels. Because the system and the software we provide is like a turnkey system"
• No Lesson Planning: Guides don't create lesson plans or teach traditional subjects; system handles core instruction

Faith Integration

• Platform Neutrality: Prenda is not explicitly religious platform
• Guide Autonomy: Guides can choose to incorporate religious elements (Bible study during morning community time)
• Values Setting: "You as the guide really get to set your what you want for that"

Gary's Broader Vision Shared

• Christofuturism: Brand gathering faith-based thought leaders around future topics related to faith
• South by Southwest Summit: Planning side event during SXSW focused on faith and future
• Tauren Wells Connection: Meeting with gospel singer Tauren Wells' team January 16 about providing educational options to his Whitestone Church congregation's children
• Christian Micro School Alliance: Potential community/brand for the church microschool movement
• Conferences: Could host conferences for faith-based parents and leaders, potentially Prenda-sponsored
• Content Collaboration: Interest in blog posts, podcasts with Prenda about church-based microschools

Prenda's Current State & Challenges

• Texas Surge: "It's crazy how we've gotten so many. I think majority of the contacts that I have right now are from Texas"
• Hiring Need: Brittany joked "We need to hire more people" when Gary asked about challenges
• Rapid Growth: Seven years of passionate work now accelerating with school choice legislation
• February Trip: Planning extensive Texas travel to meet with clients, many of whom own churches

Key Quotes

From Gary

• "I do believe that there needs to be a lot more experimentation when it comes to the future of education"
• "I find, like, almost zero people that fit the intersection of faith based and also like, not like ignorant about the technological things that are inevitably happening"
• "I sense a soulfulness around Prenda. I really like the story around it."
• "I believe that God calls people to business as well"
• "I feel like God wants me to grow the church school movement"

From Brittany

• "There's something about you. I'm like, Gary, I don't know what you're trying to build or what you've got, but you really understand business... you can take big concepts and explain it clearly"
• "As soon as Texas opened, the first thing we said was, wow, these churches have a huge opportunity here. So just everything you're saying, I'm like you definitely have a good sense about you"
• "We are all on the same team. Like we are not anti any type of group. Whatever is best for the kid."
• "You should really lean in on what your gut instinct is telling you"
• "I used to work in Texas with churches for how they're trying to find extra income streams. And so I believe strongly this is going to be a big path for these churches and their youth programs"
• "We've been doing this for seven years... just to keep it going has been great"

From Katelyn

• "We're very close to getting to that [vendor approval]. I'll seeing if there was some specific... Prenda is actively engaged with the government agencies and administrators of Texas EFA"
• "Schools are actually starting right now to finalize their school in prendaworld.com even adding the students"

Platform Comparison Context

• Alpha Schools: Gary has reservations about some things at Alpha but acknowledges thesis around AI tutoring makes sense
• Prenda Distinction: Gary noted "soulfulness" and story around Prenda; appreciates school choice philosophy
• Independence Option: No contract with Prenda; guides can leave anytime and operate independently

Action Items & Next Steps

1. Katelyn to send follow-up email with talking points and resources from the call
2. Continue account setup at prendaworld.com to be ready when vendor approval confirmed
3. Potential CEO connection: Brittany offered to connect Gary with Prenda CEO Kelly Smith
4. January 16 meeting: Gary meeting with Tauren Wells team; needs Prenda materials beforehand
5. February in-person meeting: Opportunity to meet Prenda team during Texas trip
6. Blog post collaboration: Gary offered to co-create content about church-based microschools
7. Testimonial gathering: Gary wants to connect with Christian guides operating at churches for case studies

Strategic Insights

Validation of Church Microschool Thesis

• Both Prenda representatives confirmed church-based microschools as major emerging opportunity
• Florida provides proof of concept; Texas about to follow same pattern
• Churches solve location problem (free facilities), values problem (faith integration), and now funding problem (TIFA scholarships)

Timing Considerations

• End of December 2025: Prenda expected on Texas vendor list
• April 2025: Formal accreditation session
• Fall 2025: First semester for new Texas microschools accepting TIFA funds
• Guides can begin setup now using pending authorization

Gary's Unique Positioning

• Brittany recognized Gary's business acumen and vision as exceptional compared to typical inquiries
• Intersection of faith, technology understanding, and business sense is rare
• Previous church consulting experience from Brittany validates the opportunity
• Potential for larger role beyond individual guide (network builder, conference host, content creator)

Relationship Development Notes

• Call transitioned from standard sales inquiry to strategic partnership discussion
• Both Prenda representatives expressed genuine interest in Gary's broader vision
• Brittany's previous Texas church work creates natural alignment
• CEO connection offered indicates high interest in collaboration
• "Providential" quality noted by both parties