Be a founding family!

Bye bye, school. Hello, Prisma. Prisma is a locally-rooted, globally-connected co-learning network that fully replaces school while equipping kids with the academic and life skills they need to be successful. 

(Update: Our 2020/2021 cohorts are now closed)

We are currently accepting applications for founding learners in our initial cohort hubs: 

• Chicago, IL
• Los Angeles, CA
• Salt Lake City, UT
• San Francisco, CA
• Tampa, FL

While we don’t have a hard deadline and will accept applications on a rolling basis, we recommend that you apply as soon as possible. We’ve experienced significant initial interest and can unfortunately only offer 20 seats in each of our first cohorts. 

Prisma Learners: 

• Are entering grades 4-8 in the 2020-2021 academic year
• Live in or very close to Chicago, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, or Tampa
• Can read at or above a 4th grade level (minimum)
• Are ambitious, curious, kind, and excited by self-paced, self-directed, and interest-driven learning
• Want to make an impact on their community or the world

Prisma Families: 

• Commit to providing at-home supervision, technology, and a quiet workspace for video calls and independent learning
• Ensure that their learner regularly attends virtual cohort meetings and in-person cohort gatherings (post–COVID)
• Register their learners as homeschoolers, in line with their state’s regulations (don’t worry— it's usually a quick process; we'll connect you to the info you need) 
• Are excited by a progressive approach to education that prioritizes project–based learning, feedback over grades, and a self–paced, self–directed curriculum 

Meet all the requirements above? Ready to revolutionize education with us? 

Here are the steps to join a founding cohort:  

‍1. Watch our Virtual Information Session.

2. Attend an optional live, virtual Q&A session (registration opens July 21) for your area. Meet your Learning coach and ask any burning questions.

3. Apply. Complete the formal Prisma membership application as a family. Adults and learners are both involved in this process.

• Parents fill out the application and financial support forms. If you're applying for multiple children, you'll need to fill out a separate application for each of them. Be prepared to write a paragraph or two about each child’s academic history and personality.
  
  ‍‍Tips: (1) Budget about two hours total. (2) If you’re planning to apply for financial support, be ready to share qualifying information about your household’s annual income.‍

• Kids Kids are asked to submit 2-3 school or personal projects that show off their skills and interests. One of these submission should be a piece of writing.
  
  Tip: Review the project requirements ahead of time to plan with your learner what they would like to submit.
  

4. Interview. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Families who are a good fit will be invited to a virtual interview with a member of the Prisma team. This will be a chance for our staff to learn more about your learner’s interests, needs, and personality. 

‍5. Decision. You’ll receive an email from Prisma with a final decision within one week of your interview. If your learner is invited to join a founding cohort, you will have one week to confirm your spot by paying a non-refundable deposit equal to one month’s membership. 

Is your learner ready to apply but nervous about submitting projects and undergoing an interview? Don’t worry! We aren’t looking for perfection—in fact, we’re interested in the opposite! We want to understand how Prisma might help each learner improve their skills. The most important traits we are looking for are enthusiasm, curiosity, and openness to trying something new. Even submitting an application is a brave act, and we respect that by giving each applicant careful and thoughtful consideration. 

We hope you’re as excited about Prisma as we are! If you have any questions about our application process that are not answered above or on our membership page, email the team at info@joinprisma.com.