Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman is backing Alpha School, a private education network that combines artificial intelligence with a unique approach to learning, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
The school, which already has campuses in Texas, Florida, and California, plans to open a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade location in Manhattan this fall.
Alpha’s model is distinctive: students complete math, reading, and other core subjects in just two hours a day using AI-driven software. The rest of the day is filled with activities aimed at building confidence and practical skills, including bike rides and drone workshops.
“We do not let anything—political or social issues—interfere with our mission,” said co-founder MacKenzie Price. “We stay very much out of that.”
Price, a vocal critic of traditional education on social media, launched Alpha over a decade ago. The school employs “guides” instead of certified teachers and charges families between $40,000 and $65,000 annually, depending on location.
Ackman, known for leading the $20 billion firm Pershing Square, has taken on the role of informal supporter for Alpha. He first learned about the school earlier this year and was impressed by its tech-focused approach and avoidance of contentious debates around diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has hosted parents at Alpha’s Austin campus and is scheduled to participate in a panel on education at his Hamptons home, alongside Price, Alpha principal Joe Liemandt, and financier Michael Milken.
The Journal reports that while Ackman is not an investor, his enthusiasm has raised the school’s profile. A source close to Alpha described him as a “de facto ambassador.” On social media, he has praised its approach, which some observers interpreted as a strong endorsement.
Alpha plans to expand rapidly, with new schools set to open in Arizona, North Carolina, Virginia, California, and Puerto Rico. Price has indicated she may seek outside investment for future growth, but for now, Ackman’s support is providing Alpha with a significant foothold in New York’s competitive private education market.
