Fewer than 90 spots available for Fall 2025. Don't wait to apply!
We launched Prisma quite conservatively, with only grades 4-8 and an intentional, mission-first approach to growth. Now, 5 years after launching our first Prisma Middle School cohort and 3 years after launching our High School, we're over the moon that early acceptances for our first Seniors are coming in hot. All of our seniors applying to college have already been accepted!
Special shoutout to Coach Trevor for the countless hours spent pouring into learners via the LaunchPad program, 1:1 future planning sessions, interview coaching, essay reviews, and more.
It makes us so proud to see how the unique stories and portfolios of this trailblazing tiny-but-mighty first graduating class resonate with outstanding schools.
Prisma high schoolers earn all core credits required for entrance to college through an interdisciplinary curriculum that connects academics to pressing real-world problems.
At the end of each theme, learners present their projects to peers, parents, and guests in a celebratory Expo Day. Beyond developing key skills valued by colleges, workplaces, and society, our themes get teens excited about learning in a real-world, personalized way.
96% of learners agree that Prisma themes are 'hard fun'.
Instead of having dozens of teachers who each have hundreds of students, Prisma high schoolers are matched with a cohort of 20-25 peers, a small set of expert specialist teachers, and one mentor coach who they build a relationship with over multiple years.
Specialist academic coaches in Math, Science, and the Humanities facilitate workshops aligned to the theme and give individualized feedback on learner projects.
Mentor coaches meet 1:1 with each learner in their cohort and facilitate engaging daily standup workshops that build community.
100% of Prisma parents are happy with their learner's mentor coach. We receive 100-500 applicants for any one coach we hire, so we select educators who are exceptionally talented at building motivating relationships with kids. And, 100% of coaches came back this year, which means cohort and mentor bonds are stronger than ever!
How do you build positive relationships with young people and what do those relationships mean to you?
"Without a doubt, the best thing about being an educator is that my students make me a better person. They invite me into their lives and we form a family with a mutual commitment to support one another on our learning journey. The core of these positive relationships is mutual respect. Not a day goes by that young people do not prove to me how immensely talented they are and how brilliantly they exceed my own abilities. My life is immeasurably enriched by knowing them, and it is my honor to have many precious relationships which have extended far beyond their time in my classroom."
What’s the difference between being a Math Learning Coach at Prisma and teaching math at a more traditional school?
"So much! For starters, it’s the amount of thought and care we put into designing meaningful and practical lessons to engage all learners. In a traditional school, where test scores rule the world, the priority is boosting a school’s ranking on standardized tests rather than engaging learners. While tests are important for learners seeking higher education, it actually is possible to focus on practicality and future skills while simultaneously building skills to score well on tests. A second difference is how well I get to know Prisma learners. The amount of support and check-ins our learners have at Prisma is unparalleled compared to anywhere else I’ve ever worked."
If you could pick one skill that all kids should master to prepare for the world of the future, what would it be and why?
"Developing a growth mindset: In a rapidly-evolving world, the ability to adapt to new situations, technologies, and challenges is INVALUABLE. The key to developing this adaptability is a growth mindset (the belief that intelligence and abilities are not fixed, but rather things that can be developed through effort and persistence). With a growth mindset, kids recognize setbacks not as failures, but as opportunities for learning and development. They gain the resilience and flexibility needed to confront the uncertainties of tomorrow's world."
You have a special background in developing leadership skills in young people. How have these experiences influenced your approach to Prisma coaching?
"My coaching style is heavily influenced by my experiences prior to Prisma, specifically becoming an Eagle Scout, going to college at The Citadel, and volunteering at a leadership program called American Legion Jersey Boys State. I know first-hand that people are usually surprised by what they’re capable of when they’re pushed to do their absolute best by someone who cares deeply about them. Leadership is a skill set (like creativity or organization), and everyone is capable of learning the component skills through experience and reflection."
What sets Prisma’s approach to math apart from traditional schools?
"At Prisma, learners understand how math is useful and applicable to their lives. Instead of emphasizing “tricks” or test-taking strategies, learners dig into math in deeper and more meaningful ways. During a recent 1:1, a learner was all smiles as she told me how she can see how everything we’ve been doing in math connects. It was those patterns and discoveries that were motivating her – not a grade or a looming test. Prisma encourages and supports that same discovery for every math learner!"
In addition to LaunchPad, you also design our High School standup workshops that bring learners together in community each day. What’s your approach to building bonds between learners?
"Our standup workshops build community through team-building activities, peer support systems, and regular group discussions. During standup, we dive into topics aligned with preparing learners for the real world. Learners develop and build their Prisma portfolios, have open discussions through table topics, and even trade off planning and leading their own activities to build their own facilitation skills. This inclusive environment allows learners to connect, learn from one another, and grow both academically and personally."
What would be most helpful right now?
“I like having a clear purpose for what I’m learning, instead of just being told ‘do this thing,'" says Aaron, 10th grader at Prisma.
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.”
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We believe high school should be a time where teens prepare for adult life, but most high schools spend little or no time teaching kids how to navigate the day-to-day challenges of adulthood. All Prisma high schoolers participate in our weekly Life Skills workshop, where they learn practical skills for future success through group discussions, expert guest visits, and hands-on challenges.
Topics covered include: finding one's personal strengths, financial literacy, cooking & nutrition, habit formation using Atomic Habits, recognizing cognitive biases, job interviews, managing stress, building friendships, negotiation, and planning a trip, just to name a few.
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Every teen and family is different and has unique routines, schedules and priorities. Our schedule allows ample opportunities for learners to interact with and socialize with their peers, while maintaining flexibility.
Some workshops (like standup) happen every day, and others once per week. What's listed here is a sample of what a day might look like.
Please note: exact times vary by time zone and cohort placement. Chat with us 1-on-1 to look at how Prisma could work with your family's schedule.
During August through June, Prisma learners experience three Sessions (Fall, Winter and Spring), with breaks to recharge in between. Each session centers around an interdisciplinary theme that awards credit in multiple subjects required for graduation. The last week of each session is dedicated to revision, reflection, and parent-coach-learner conferences.
Aside from our live workshops (which take up, in total, 2.5 hours on Monday-Thursday), families are free to schedule their days however they wish. Flexibility is one of the great benefits of our program. If families wish to travel during the typical school year, that's no problem. We have many kids who tune into Prisma while traveling with their family (or simply take some time off during the school year). If families wish to fit in extracurriculars during the day or get-togethers with friends, that's also no problem. Having said this, we do provide a suggested schedule for those families that want a clear structure for their child's day and many of our learners do follow this.
We have learners with a wide range of special needs thriving at Prisma - from ADHD and dyslexia to dysgraphia and processing disorders, among others. Given the flexible and customizable nature of our program, we can be an especially good fit for some learners with disabilities, though we certainly don't claim to be the right fit all learner with special needs. Our curriculum allows learners to go at their own pace, make choices about how to demonstrate their learning, and connect learning to their interests. Some learners with special needs feel they need fewer supports at Prisma than in a traditional environment due to this flexibility.
All of our learning coaches are experienced educators with training in supporting learners of all abilities. They will work with your family to understand what kinds of accommodations have worked and not worked for your learner in the past, any challenges they may face interacting with our curriculum, and what lights them up as a learner. Then, they will collaborate with your family to customize the Prisma experience to best suit your learner's needs. We also have a counselor on staff available to work with learners who may need additional support as needed.
In high school, our LaunchPad expert, Coach Trevor, has a wealth of experience supporting learners with special needs in their post-secondary transitions and can also provide support in applying for accommodations on ACT/SAT testing as well as assist in ensuring learner accommodations follow them into their next phase.
Many families of learners with special needs report the Prisma peer community to be the most accepting & welcoming of any learning environment they've tried. Prisma parents of learners with special needs also connect with each other to share resources, connect, or attend Prisma guest speaker events in topics like executive functioning.
Prisma is accredited by Cognia, a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers around the world.
Cognia, formerly AdvancED, recognizes schools that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation that meets the needs of learners, and effective leadership. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that Prisma is accredited, and that Prisma is recognized internationally and in every U.S. state as a school that meets Cognia Standards of Quality, and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement.
Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, stated, “Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of preparing lifelong learners in engaging environments where all students can flourish. Prisma is to be commended for demonstrating that it has met high standards, and is making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”
Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
We also are registered with the US College Board under CEEB code no. 950237, which is the number used when applying to universities.
Kids who attend Prisma will be prepared with all the prerequisite skills to be successful in any rigorous academic program. They will also graduate with a unique portfolio of projects in all subjects, service learning experiences, and authentic writing assignments. Portfolios & projects are becoming increasingly recognized as essential in developing a standout college application.
Learners who have graduated from Prisma Middle School have been accepted to competitive private high schools and accelerated programs such as Cooke Young Scholars. In the words of one parent whose child was accepted to a competitive program after Prisma: "I firmly believe that her time at Prisma made that possible. The application questions were big open-ended things that she knew just how to digest, research, and respond to, and that gave her a real leg up. Plus all the cool hands-on, photo-worthy projects she had completed made her application stand out from the crowd!"
Prisma High School will graduate its first class of learners in Spring 2025. All high schoolers graduate with an official diploma and transcript that meets entrance requirements at major universities. Our innovative LaunchPad program prepares learners for the next stage of their lives through a rigorous college & career exploration process, preparation for tests like the SAT & ACT, and individualized college application support. Mentor coaches provide personalized letters of recommendation and advice. We also support learners in designing a Capstone project, completing an outside internship, and writing a dynamite college essay.
When we surveyed new learners this year, 86% said that they had made friends at Prisma after just 6 weeks. Our program provides considerable opportunities for kids to form friendships, from our standups where kids meet daily with their coach to share their thoughts and have fun, to team challenges, small-group exercises and group projects.
We also have many popular learner-led Clubs and coach-led Enrichments, from Prisma Press to Dungeons & Dragons to Art to Cooking, as well as a highly engaged online learner forum. We also try to incorporate lots of one-off celebrations & extra events, from the annual Talent Show to the Prisma 100th Day Party to monthly Family Game Nights.
Many Prisma families also choose to organize in-person regional meetups, mini microschool-style learning hubs, and even trips. We love this and are happy to support and help publicize!
We believe that reading & writing are essential skills not only for future academic success, but for success in any field of interest. To show learners the real-world importance of literacy, we take an interdisciplinary approach, and weave reading & writing skills through our themes.
Reading: In addition to fiction & nonfiction texts that are incorporated into projects and workshops, each learner reads a book of their choice and writes about what they read in a reading journal each cycle. We provide a list of challenging options that connect to the theme (for example, mystery novels during Unsolved Mysteries and nonfiction books about animals during Wild Inventions), and also encourage learners to deviate from our suggestions if they find something else that excites them!
Writing: Prisma learners focus on authentic writing, learning how writing serves a purpose in the real world, rather than simply writing essays for a teacher to read. For example, past writing projects have included investigative journalism articles, business pitches, artist statements, video game reviews, and advocacy letters to local governments. Learners are also prepared with all the academic writing skills they'll need for high school and college, learning how to research & cite sources to produce argumentative & informational essays.
Our math curriculum aims to build more than just surface-level understanding of formulas and operations. Our program equips learners with deep conceptual understanding of mathematical ideas, the ability to apply these concepts to abstract & real-world problems, and a strong math mindset that helps them see the value in persisting because they believe math is useful.
Learners are placed into a small math group based on their needs. Each group works through a series of math missions throughout the year. To learn the concepts covered in the mission, learners complete daily practice using adaptive math technology, which has been proven in research to be more effective than traditional instruction alone. Three times each week, they participate in dynamic, interactive workshops where they can ask questions, share insights, and solve complex problems together, making learning both enjoyable and engaging.
At the end of each mission, learners tackle a mission checkpoint that asks them to apply the concepts they've learned to a real-world math problem. Math coaches give individualized feedback to determine if learners have earned a badge.
Stuck or struggling? Our math coaches offer extra small-group support in workshops and office hours. And learners can switch math groups at any time if they find the content too challenging, or not challenging enough, for their needs.
Yes and no. Grading as practiced in traditional schools is broken. The purpose of assessment should be to track development of essential skills, but in many schools it becomes a) the only way to motivate kids to complete work and b) more about checking boxes than measuring knowledge.
Our assessment looks more like feedback does in the real world, combined with a transcript system using mastery-based grading. Before earning badges or credits, learners get ample feedback and revise their work until it's truly their best, rather than turning it in once and forgetting about it.
Middle School learners earn badges for mastering skills. Each project is broken into multiple badges based on the academic standards covered (for example, they might earn a Physics: Forces & Motion Badge, Design Thinking Badge, and Model Engineering Badge for a toy design project). Learners can earn all, none, or some of the badges based on the quality of their efforts and the assessment of their coach. They also have the opportunity to earn badges with distinction (meaning they went above and beyond in their mastery).
High school learners do receive traditional grades, and earn traditional credits, because these are more understandable in the college admissions process. However, our process is more akin to a review process in a job than traditional high school grading. Learners collect evidence from their explorations and projects proving their work meets the standard required to earn each credit, and at the end of the theme, they argue which letter grade their work deserves. Academic coaches may agree or disagree, and have ultimate say over the final grade. Sometimes, they'll suggest revisions learners can make to earn the grade they proposed.
Here's a great article from Harvard Graduate School of Education on why competency-based badges are better than seat-time-based grades.
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