About this episode
Gains in the quality of America’s K-12 education in the late 20th and early 21st century have largely plateaued—and , in several instances, reversed—in the last few decades. This week, Alpha School co-founder MacKenzie Price joins the show to discuss her fast-expanding network of AI-powered private schools, which she says represent the reform the system so badly needs. She explains why Alpha students learn core academics in two hours a day via a personalized learning platform—not human teachers—and then devote the rest of the school day to passion projects, life skills, and real-world learning. Plus, we hear from Alex, a high school senior at Alpha’s Austin, TX location, about his experience.
For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/
Topics:
3:45 - Hellos and intros
4:12 – MacKenzie’s path from Stanford psychology to Alpha Schools
6:11 – Updating traditional school systems with AI
7:46 – What makes Alpha Schools different
12:01 – The 2-Hour Learning model
15:40 – Key lessons from AI in classrooms
18:11 – AI supercharges students with the “four C’s”: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity
20:47 – Teacher-student connection and mentorship
21:54 – Scaling Alpha Schools & lowering costs
25:47 – AI-driven assessment & personalized learning plans
29:38 – Midroll
29:47 – Alex shares his experience as an Alpha School student and entrepreneur
34:19 – Challenges of scaling
36:09 – Student incentives & using Alpha currency to teach kids financial literacy
38:55 – Alpha students learn life skills & develop entrepreneurial projects
41:44 – GT School for highly accelerated learners
44:55 – “Future of Education” podcast highlights
47:16 – Teachers vs. guides & redefining expertise in education
49:21 – Using AI for public speaking & coaching
51:02 – Rapid fire questions
Select mentions:
Alpha School, AI-Driven Education Founded in Austin, Is Coming to More Cities — New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/27/us/politics/ai-alpha-school-austin-texas.html
Future of Education Podcast: https://futureofeducationpod.com/
Berry: https://berryplush.com/
Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiri
