New Private School in Oklahoma Launches with AI as Instructors

The Rise of AI-Powered Education in Oklahoma

A new kind of educational institution is set to open its doors in Oklahoma, offering a unique approach to learning that doesn't involve traditional teachers. This private school, known as "Alpha Oklahoma City," will be driven entirely by artificial intelligence (AI), marking a significant shift in the way students receive their education.

The school, part of the Texas-based Alpha School chain, has already established locations in six states. With the latest expansion into Oklahoma, two campuses are planned—one in Tulsa and another in Edmond, set to open in August. However, the Edmond location will be called "Alpha Oklahoma City."

A New Approach to Learning

According to Mackenzie Price, Co-Founder of Alpha School, the AI-powered system allows students to learn at a faster pace than traditional methods. "Our kids are spending only two hours in the morning working on academics," said Price. "Our students are working on individualized lessons that are personalized to meet them at the exact level and pace that’s right for them."

During these two hours, students engage with core subjects such as math, reading, language, and science, spending about 25 minutes on each. The rest of the day is dedicated to workshops focused on life skills like financial literacy, public speaking, leadership, teamwork, and more.

The Role of 'Guides' in the Classroom

While AI handles the academic instruction, human "guides" are present in the classroom to provide emotional support and motivation. These guides are not required to have teaching certifications but are selected based on their unconventional education backgrounds. Their starting salary is $100,000 per year, which is significantly higher than that of traditional educators.

Price explained, "Our teachers, we call them guides, are completely focused on motivational and emotional support and connecting with every single one of their students." This model aims to create a more personalized and supportive learning environment.

Controversy and Concerns

Despite the innovative approach, some lawmakers are skeptical. Cindy Munson, a Democratic state representative from Oklahoma City, expressed concerns about the use of AI in education. "I am very concerned," she said. "In fact, I wasn’t aware about the Alpha schools until I was contacted by an investigative journalist a few weeks ago."

Munson emphasized the importance of face-to-face interaction with trained teachers, stating, "We know that students do better when they are in a classroom setting, when they are face to face with a highly qualified, trained teacher."

She also raised questions about funding, worried that tax dollars might be used to support tuition costs. "Parents always have the right to choose when they send their kids," said Munson. "Where I disagree is, I don’t think that we should be putting our tax dollars into those choices where there’s not the same oversight, transparency and accountability that we have, not only for our public school, our administrators and our teachers, but also our students."

High Tuition Costs and Justification

The annual tuition for Alpha Oklahoma City is $40,000, which is significantly higher than other private schools in Oklahoma. For comparison, Casady School's tuition tops out at nearly $28,000 per year.

Price explained that the high cost is due to several factors, including competitive salaries for guides and low student-to-guide ratios. "For every 10 students, there is one guide," she said. "We believe our educators should be paid very well."

However, Price clarified that the school does not participate in the Parental Choice Tax Credit program. "I think we did not use Alpha for that tax credit this year; we did not sign up Alpha for that," she added.

What’s Next?

Classes at Alpha Oklahoma City are scheduled to start on August 12. Price mentioned that the school is a full-day, in-person institution, and the team is excited about acquiring the real estate and campus for the Oklahoma City location.

When asked about enrollment numbers, Price admitted she wasn't sure. As the school prepares to open, it remains to be seen how this AI-driven model will impact the future of education in Oklahoma.

Share :