Our mission is to prepare learners to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Studies show that 65% of today’s elementary school students will work in careers yet to be invented. We must cultivate learners who are adaptable, with the skills to teach themselves anything. The Prisma Powers are the core capacities that allow people to thrive in uncertain situations. Everything we do is centered around building these four superpowers in learners:
The Prisma Powers
- Applied Curiosity: Curious people who can ask and answer their own questions drive humanity forward. It’s our job to safeguard learners' natural curiosity through experiences that excite them. We also teach kids to apply their curiosity through research, close reading, scientific inquiry, and data analysis.
- Innovator’s Mindset: Schools train kids to follow directions and do things “right” the first time, but future work will require creativity. Prisma learners tackle projects in design thinking, creativity, engineering, and entrepreneurship. We emphasize iteration by valuing failure and requiring multiple revisions of learner work.
- Communication & Collaboration: In their future lives, kids will communicate with colleagues from all over the world. Learners build communication & collaboration skills in our Collaborative Problem Solving Workshops, Expo Day presentations, and daily opportunities to discuss and share with peers.
- Initiative & Follow Through: Success takes more than ideas. To have an impact, you need to be able to execute, especially when nobody gives you a roadmap. Our program and coaches develop focus, time management, and organizational strategies that put learners in charge of their success.
When learners experience a rigorous, project-based curriculum grounded in decades of research that offers lots of choice and the freedom to explore their interests within a supportive, collaborative environment, outcomes (as conventionally measured) are also incredibly strong!
- Prisma learners grow, on average, 1.7x in Reading and 2x in Math each year compared with expected growth (per NWEA MAP assessments)
- Upperclassmen at Prisma achieve an average SAT score in the 93rd percentile (28% higher than US national average)
- 100% of Prisma Seniors applying to university have been accepted to at least one Top 75 school, including one of their top 3 choices
And, Prisma learners achieve these results without an emphasis on traditional testing or a stress-provoking, highly competitive school culture that prioritizes rote memorization and 'teaching to the test.' 100% of Prisma seniors have a goal for their future that they're excited about and actively pursuing, and the education they've experienced along the way has truly been personalized to them. While growth in learner autonomy, self-esteem, self-direction, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving aren't as easily quantifiable as growth in Math, the lifelong value of these skills can't be overemphasized.
See our Learning Framework for more!
