“At Prisma, learners are never underestimated. They grow unrestricted in areas of strength and interest, receive support in challenge areas, connect socially through clubs and collaborations, and work with coaches who really get to know them.”
Anonymous Prisma Parent
Niche review
The traditional school system was designed over 100 years ago to prepare kids for a world that no longer exists, so it's no surprise that over 50% of kids lose interest in school by 4th grade.
Most schools still reward kids for checking boxes, getting the right answer, and following instructions. But, in the real world, success comes from forging your own path, tackling complex problems without clear answers, and collaborating to achieve shared goals.
Prisma was built by a team of educators, tech entrepreneurs, and parents who were bold enough to believe a better way of preparing our kids for the future was possible.
For K-12 education to prepare our children for the future, the following shifts are necessary:
Focus on memorizing facts and information (whether learners grasp the relevance or not) in each school subject
Apply competencies-aligned skills to real-world situations weaving together multiple academic subjects
Learn the same content at the same pace as everyone else, based on the needs of the system
Customize education to match each child’s unique needs and passions and their family's lifestyle and schedule
The teacher is the holder of knowledge, and their role is to pass it on
While learners pursue custom learning paths, teachers focus on mentorship and feedback to challenge them
Students get good grades and test scores to get a good job and avoid punishment
Kids become self-motivated lifelong learners capable of constantly adapting and reinventing their careers
Schools bring together kids from the same neighborhood, limiting diversity and access to new perspectives
Learners collaborate virtually and meet up with peers all over the world
For K-12 education to prepare our children for the future, the following shifts are necessary:
Focus on memorizing facts and information (whether learners grasp the relevance or not) in each school subject
Apply competencies-aligned skills to real-world situations weaving together multiple academic subjects
Learn the same content at the same pace as everyone else, based on the needs of the system
Customize education to match each child’s unique needs and passions and their family's lifestyle and schedule
The teacher is the holder of knowledge, and their role is to pass it on
While learners pursue custom learning paths, teachers focus on mentorship and feedback to challenge them
Students get good grades and test scores to get a good job and avoid punishment
Kids become self-motivated lifelong learners capable of constantly adapting and reinventing their careers
Schools bring together kids from the same neighborhood, limiting diversity and access to new perspectives
Learners collaborate virtually and meet up with peers all over the world
Inspired by cutting-edge MIT and Harvard research, our curriculum designers craft personalized, project-based academics that map to a comprehensive set of competencies and challenge you to think deeper.
Each learner is matched with a best-of-the-best educator (we hire 0.5% of applicants) to motivate, mentor, and guide their learning journey through 1-on-1 academic feedback and support.
The best of both worlds: a tight-knit peer cohort for daily workshops and connection to a diverse global community through Prisma-wide clubs and events.
What would be most helpful right now?
Kym J.
Prisma Parent
“I like having a clear purpose for what I’m learning, instead of just being told: Do this thing,” says Aaron, Prisma 10th grader.
Some of Aaron’s favorite projects include the model of a green roof planter he made to earn his 9th grade Biology credit, and the poem he wrote about the challenges of the ballet industry and turned into an audio/visual video for his English credit.
“Instead of making videos or building models being what I do when I take a break from school, I did those things for my project. It’s really fun to be able to showcase the unique talents I have in a way that also gets me school credit.”
“Prior to enrolling our son, Major, at Prisma, he was called a “distraction” because he learned at a different pace, and he was struggling with the one-size-fits-all curriculum.
Since starting Prisma, Major has matured in his course work and at home. His engagement and motivation since joining Prisma is at levels we have NEVER seen when he attended public school. He never wanted to join any extracurricular activities, now he is in the cooking enrichment and taking Japanese!
Prisma has reignited the spark and joy in Major and has brought back the amazing human we knew was there all along.”
-Latasha Harris, Prisma Parent
“The first big surprise for me was the amazing team I would get to help me. I didn’t feel so alone when it came to supporting my kids’ academic education. Kristi is an amazing mentor to all of us. She has a special way of inspiring and supporting the kids.
Matilda’s biggest area of growth was writing. She went from writing a simple paragraph in the first cycle to choosing to write a book in the last cycle.
Henry’s biggest growth area has been getting comfortable with public speaking. When he started, he was too nervous to put his camera on. By Cycle 4, he was so excited to present he was literally dancing.”
-Jess F., Parent-coach Parent
“Cora gets to really design her own learning path based on what interests her, and she works closely with her coach to make sure that she’s staying on track. She has so much autonomy, which has allowed her natural creativity to blossom into confident leadership and self-expression.
Knowing that we have a loving community and access to world-class education, no matter what timezone we happen to be in, has been a dream come true.”
– Catilin D., Parent
Experts predict that 65% of today’s elementary schoolers will grow up to do jobs that haven’t been invented yet.
The world is changing, but school has mostly stayed the same. So we’ve redesigned school to equip your child with both the academic and life skills to thrive in an ever-changing future.
At Prisma, real-world skills development and whole-person growth are prioritized alongside rigorous academics. And, while we aren’t big on conventional testing, Prismarians, on average, grow 158% in Reading and 204% in Math each year (per NWEA MAP Growth assessment).
High Schoolers at Prisma score strongly on college entry exams (1360 average SAT score, 28% above US national average). Our college acceptance rate is 100%, with 100% of learners who’ve applied to university having been accepted to at least one Top 75 school.
We’re all naturally curious! At Prisma, we help kids channel their curiosity to ask bold questions, think outside the box, and find valuable answers. Learners grow their sense of personal agency and their intrinsic motivation because they have choice around what they learn and how they demonstrate their learning.
Even brilliant people will struggle in their adult lives when they aren’t skilled communicators or don’t know how to work well with others. At Prisma, kids learn how to speak and write compellingly, listen empathetically, and collaborate productively with their peers. They participate in dynamic, engaging live workshops that range from debates and simulations to design challenges and escape rooms.
We need to learn how to embrace challenges and brainstorm solutions to solve problems. At Prisma, kids learn the processes that enable innovation and practice iterating based on feedback. And we find, like research shows, that the deepest, most meaningful learning comes from making and doing!
If only we were all born as effective time managers and self-starters who persevere, we’d all be living out our full potential! At Prisma, kids are challenged to build supportive habits, take action to reach their goals, and tap into their intrinsic motivation. Each learner has an expert teacher mentor (their Prisma coach) who works with them to develop project and self management skills.
Remember that life-changing teacher whose positive impact you still feel today? Those are the educators who become Prisma coaches. Each coach is an experienced educator with superpowers in building relationships with kids. They mentor your child 1:1, lead engaging live workshops, and give detailed, individualized academic feedback that’s both challenging and supportive.
Fun fact! 100% of coaches are returning to Prisma for the 2nd year in a row!
From STEM to Social Studies, kids gain real-world skills and master academics through interdisciplinary themes like Cities of the Future and Build a Business.
In each theme, coaches support kids in tackling a project of their choice: from pitching an invention to building a history exhibit to writing a sci-fi story.
Coaches lead daily workshops where kids collaborate, debate, and dive into real-world simulations, like Shark Tank investing or re-homing an endangered species.
Learners in grades 4-8 earn Badges—from Data Analysis to Persuasive Writing—for mastering grade-level skills, and high schoolers earn course credit in academic subjects within each interdisciplinary theme.
Lower & Middle School cohorts are led by an expert Learning Coach who supports each learner individually, facilitates live workshops, and provides academic feedback.
Our project-based curriculum prepares learners for high school academics while building real world skills like creativity and critical thinking.
Each year covers 6 interdisciplinary themes, mapped to a comprehensive set of standards (drawn from best-in-class sources like NGSS, ISTE, Common Core, and CASEL).
Each theme, from Unsolved Mysteries to Cities of the Future, allows ample opportunity for kids to choose their own learning adventure. (Think learning about ecosystems by writing a science fiction story, physics by designing a moving toy, or history by designing a museum exhibit.)
For homeschool families, educators, and parents who have the capacity and enthusiasm to coach their 4-8th grade learner in their independent Prisma work.
Learners enrolled in this program still participate in all our workshops, Standups, Expo days, clubs, and learner events. Like all our learners, they are part of a close-knit cohort of other learners that they meet with daily. They also get full access to our accredited curriculum, assessments, and receive a Prisma transcript.
The only difference between the Mentor Coach program and Parent Coach is that you are your child’s mentor coach. This means giving regular feedback on your child’s work, setting learning goals together, making sure they’re on track, and determining when they reach mastery.
High schoolers graduate with an accredited diploma & transcript that meets college entrance requirements, while still engaging in a project-based curriculum that tailors learning to their interests.
Each 12-week theme awards credit in subjects from Biology to English through real-world topics such as The Future of Health and Build a Business. Learners work 1-on-1 with their mentor coach to tailor projects to their goals and create a standout portfolio. They also engage in electives, optional AP and dual enrollment courses, and a weekly Life Skills or LaunchPad workshop.
In 11th grade, learners design a capstone project that shows off their strengths, aligned to their college and career goals. In 12th grade, learners complete a virtual or in-person internship with a partner organization.
We hear again and again how Prisma is like a family.
The intentional matching of learners with their mentor coach and peer cohort leads to the formation of real relationships that give kids a sense of belonging and connection. From STEM Extravaganza to Prisma Parliament, learners also have a wide variety of extracurricular and leadership opportunities. And Prisma isn’t just for learners. Parents get together for interest-based Circles, Book Clubs, and frequent regional meet ups and parent-led trips.
“As a parent of kids doing school online, I sometimes worry about them missing out on traditional school experiences. But what we’re creating here isn’t just matching those experiences – it’s making something even better.”
-Jenna W.
Prisma parent who’s part of the parent community that dreams up and creates Learner Endeavors
Build authentic friendships by connecting with other Prisma learners around shared interests. Coach-led enrichments range from Songwriting to Debate Derby to National Honor Society. Clubs are created and led by learners! A few club examples are Chess, Art, D&D, Coding, and Photography.
From daylong regional meetups to milestone in-person parent-led events, this is Prisma in person! Families get together to build a strong community through fun adventures, some educational and others pure play!
Parent-led partner experiences across service-learning, outdoors, arts, STEM and beyond! From five growth sparking days at Club Getaway to a week-long surf camp in California, this is where learners travel for big fun, on occasion together with 50+ learners!
Grades 4-8 only: $5,040 ($6,040 with Prisma Math coaching)
Grades 4-8: $10,780
Grades 9-12: $11,980
Grades 4-8 only: $5,040 ($6,040 with Prisma Math coaching)
Check out our Grades 4-8 or High School program for more details about what’s included in your child’s Prisma tuition.
Prisma’s tuition is intentionally set to be sustainable. There’s no added fluff because we’re passionate about accessibility and creating a positive impact!
The Prisma Scholarship Fund gives out more than $150,000 in scholarships each year to enable learners who otherwise wouldn’t be able to join Prisma to be part of our community.
“The school we applied to last spring before hearing of Prisma was $30,000 (for middle school level)! The Prisma pedagogy, dynamic leadership team, and the lower cost is a gift to us in more ways than one.”
Moriah B.
Prisma Parent
What would be most helpful right now?
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