The Socratic Experience
We are The Socratic Experience: a purpose-driven program for intellectual, creative, and entrepreneurial students founded by educational innovator Michael Strong. The Socratic Experience offers a virtual educational experience for students ages 8-19. We immerse your child in exceptional peer learning experiences that lead to high-level academics and skill development. Our program is personalized to support your child’s pursuit of their distinctive genius.
THE COMPANY
The Problem
Public education is a catastrophe.
STUDENTS:
- 75% Unhappy (Yale);
- 66% Disengaged (Gallup);
- 63% Illiterate:
- 37% Persistently sad* (CDC);
- 19% Considering suicide (CDC);
*CDC 2019 Your Risk Behavior Survey
TEACHERS:
- 48% considering quitting;
- 34% considering leaving the profession entirely
Our Solution
The Socratic Experience
Most schools are focused on transmitting curriculum. We’re focused on supporting families and ensuing their children create remarkable lives.
Socratic Practice is a unique intellectual experience developed over 35 years by our Founder & CEO, Michael Strong.
PROVEN RESULTS:
- Increased SAT verbal scores, 50% above average annual gains;
- Student self-awareness and responsibility for their own learning;
- Remarkably articulate students who think on their feet;
- Sophisticated interpersonal skills.
THE CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE
- Students learn in cohorts of 15 with a guide who serves as their partner in the learning process;
- Guides assign challenging reading and use Socratic Practice to inspire group discussion;
- Students discover a depth of meaning while learning the rules of logic, rhetoric, and decorum
STUDENTS
- Engaged, happy and motivated; Sophisticated thinkers who are actively pursuing their passions;
- Score 50% higher gains on SATs;
- 30% higher graduation rate
TEACHERS
- Living their dream while working from anywhere;
- Intellectually stimulating, positive, meaningful connections with students;
- 6 month hiring waitlist with explosive inbound interest from teachers worldwide
How It Works
We provide a full program for children ages eight and up.
Success Stories
"I have noticed my daughter’s endless belly laughs and the joy in recounting her day to me.”
“The Socratic Experience has saved my daughter’s education and her mental health. She enjoys going to her classes everyday.”
THE BUSINESS
Competition
Other Virtual Alternative Education players: Astranova School, Prisma, Sora
Brick & Mortar Alt Ed companies: Acton Academy, Waldorf Education, Higher Ground
Virtual Public Schools: K12; IDEA Public School. Connestions Academy
Courses a la carte: Khan Academy, Udemy, The Great Courses, Coursera
Why we beat the competition?
- Full stack education services;
- Proven model;
- Backed by distinguished educators;
- Transformative for student’s mental health;
- Superior engagement and retention;
- Superior family satisfaction.
- Agency-centered education;
- Exception, high-touch customer service.
THE MARKET SOLUTION
Market Opportunity
The time is now:
- Mass exodus from public schools; homeschooling doubled from 5% to 10% (Gallup). 43% of parents prefer virtual learning
- Working from home in the US increased from 5% before to 20% post pandemic, 24 million additional people
- State voucher programs are now covering the tuition of 4 million students; up 657% from 2020
THE TEAM
Michael Strong - DISTINGUISHED, LEADING EDUCATOR
- Founder of multiple ultra-high performing schools, including a school for highly gifted children, a top charter school, and a Montessori high school for the leading chain
- Author of multiple books and dozens of media and peer-reviewed journal articles
- Endorsed by leading educators
- Ongoing speaker at Harvard, MIT, TEDx, and many other leading institutions
RECOGNIZED THOUGHT LEADER IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- Co-founded “Conscious Capitalism”, an Entrepreneurship think-tank with John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods
- Pioneer in Global “Charter Cities” movement, signed the first Charter City agreement in Honduras
- Extensive work on human capital with multiple Nobel laureates and MacArthur Genius Grant recipients, and dozens of leading CEOs
Kevin Topper - School Director:
Decades of experience in executive management of new classical schools.
Chris von Lersner - Program Designer:
Decades of experience designing Montessori programs, founding ED at Great Work, the Montessori middle school model funded by James Walton.
Magatte Wade - CFO
Forbes “Top Twenty Power Women of Africa”. TED speaker. Founder of several established national brands. Board member of several renowned think tanks.
Justin Arman - COO
Co-founder & COO of wellness brand with 30,000 points of distribution worldwide. Toured the world as a professional drummer.
