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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.
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LaunchPad at Prisma High School is a four-year program that prepares learners to plan and embark on their post-high school journey through:
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“Prisma lives by their promise that ‘Learning should be hard fun’. The choices, creativity, and challenge have pushed me to thrive academically.”
-Arden Z.
Prisma Senior
Accepted to Bard College on the heels of a competitive Carnegie Mellon summer program
The next generation of doers, makers, and builders won't be ready for the careers—or the challenges—of the future if they wait to grow up before learning the skills that will be most valuable. But, with such a rapid pace of change, how can you know what your child needs to learn today?
We redesigned school for the world of tomorrow with the goal of preparing kids for real life.
At Prisma, real-world skills development, executive functioning, and social-emotional 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 (compared to traditionally schooled peers per NWEA MAP Growth assessment).
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“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
"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.”
"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
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.
What is your favorite aspect of being a learning coach at Prisma?
"Without question, my favorite part of being a coach at Prisma is the two-way mutual learning I experience with the learners. I can not think of a single day where I have turned my laptop off and haven’t gleaned something from the life, knowledge, or insight of one of our Prismarians—from sailing, to repairing motorcycles, or Irish dancing, or simply a unique perspective on a topic we’re discussing. Our learners have had such diverse experiences. They’re risk-takers, adventurers, technically-capable, empathetic listeners, and respectful debaters. At Prisma, it’s a guarantee that I’ll grow and stretch as a person and coach alongside my learners."
What is your approach to supporting learners?
"As a teacher, I’ve always prioritized fostering the social and emotional aspects of student growth. The best coaches support folks as they work towards their own goals while helping them evolve their efforts to align with their best interests. I’m most excited about my role as a learning coach affording me the opportunity to meet each learner where they’re at and helping them get to where they want to be. There is so much value in highly individualized, interdisciplinary, project-based learning with lots of intentional support and communal growth—and that is what Prisma is all about!"
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What sets Prisma’s approach to math apart from traditional schools?
"Our math lessons (known as Numbers Labs) are thoughtfully designed to be fun and engaging. We believe that when students enjoy the learning process, they become more motivated and eager to dive deep into different math concepts - which is exactly what we want. Additionally, Prisma puts a strong emphasis on nurturing a growth mindset in our learners. We understand the value of encouraging students to embrace challenges and develop a positive attitude towards math. Understanding the underlying processes and reasoning behind mathematical concepts leads to deeper comprehension and application of math in real-life situations."
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Tell us a little bit about your background in education prior to joining Prisma.
"I have more than sixteen years of experience as an educator. I have a PhD in mathematics, which allowed me to develop and teach mathematics and computer science courses at the university as well as middle and high school level. I’ve been a middle and high school educator, and was in charge of founding and developing the Innovation Sciences Department at my previous school. I am also a Neuroinclusive Coach and Consultant, which means I support and coach neurodivergent (ADHD, autistic, dyslexic, etc.) kids, adults, and their support systems, and I offer workshops to schools and organizations."
If you had to choose ONE skill that you believe is most important for learners to master to be prepared for the future, what would it be and why?
"I’d say the most important skill is trusting who you are and the unique abilities you bring to the table. In a world that’s constantly changing, the one constant is you. When you are confident in your own voice, strengths, and creativity, you can navigate any situation with resilience and adaptability. It’s not about fitting into a mould, but about embracing what makes you, YOU. That self-trust fuels curiosity, innovation, and problem-solving because you're not afraid to take risks, ask questions, or offer a different perspective."
We'd love to get to know your family, but you can also learn all about Prisma from a comprehensive on-demand overview video!
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.
With dynamic, interactive workshops throughout the week, Prisma brings just the right amount of structure to your child's day while maintaining flexibility for your family.
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.
"Whether they're jumping on a Zoom call in between workshops or chatting with each other at night or getting together in person, our kids have these real, authentic relationships all over the U.S. and outside the U.S. If anything, we now have to balance the social schedule of Prisma with the social schedule of their entire life here in Colorado!"
Jenna W.
Prisma Parent
Build authentic friendships by connecting with other Prisma learners around shared interests. Coach-led enrichments range from Songwriting to Debate Derby, and learner-led clubs are made by kids! A few club examples are Chess, Art, D&D, Coding, Photography, and Baking.
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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!
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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!
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