Operation Alpha Close: An Alpha Bet on Student Acquisition

==Strategy Evaluation & Adaptation Framework==

Regular Check-ins: Bi-weekly progress reviews with Arthur to evaluate:
- What's working and what's not
- Key metrics and conversion rates
- Resource allocation effectiveness
- Geographic expansion opportunities
- Team performance and needs
Dynamic Strategy Adjustment:
- Willingness to pivot based on data and results
- Double down on successful approaches
- Rapid iteration on event formats and locations
- Continuous optimization of incentive structures
- Flexible resource reallocation based on performance
Success Metrics Review:
- Weekly internal team reviews
- Bi-weekly executive updates
- Monthly comprehensive strategy assessment
- Quarterly major strategy pivot points

This framework ensures we maintain agility and can quickly adapt our approach based on real-world results, maximizing our impact and ROI.

Purpose: Operation Alpha Close represents a strategic Alpha Bet on radically reducing student acquisition costs through authentic peer-to-peer evangelism. This initiative leverages our unique "alpha"—deep, non-public insights into what really moves parents and students—to execute a high-leverage experiment that others might see as risky, but we know will work because of our inside view of the Alpha Schools movement.

Mission: Through two parallel initiatives - student-led and parent-led evangelism events - we aim to prove that we can fill seats more efficiently and effectively than traditional methods. Our goal is to demonstrate a new model for student acquisition that combines authentic peer-to-peer connections with strategic incentives, all while maintaining the highest standards of educational quality and community building.

Proven Track Record: This initiative builds on the successful demand generation model demonstrated at the First Supper event, hosted in partnership with Zachary Levi's Ranch. That event showcased the tremendous demand for Alpha Schools, with power players eager to start schools and wealthy parents eager to enroll their children and a clear ROI that far exceeded the $5,000 referral bonus we're proposing. The success of the First Supper event, combined with the ability to bring in high-value partners like Ron, demonstrates our capability to create compelling events that drive significant enrollment interest.

Key Bet: We believe we can radically reduce the cost per acquisition while increasing the quality of student fit through authentic peer-to-peer evangelism. By matching the Nights & Weekends program's $5,000 per enrollment incentive while delivering significantly more value through structured events and community building, we aim to prove that our approach can be both more cost-effective and more impactful than traditional marketing and recruitment methods.

Critical Success Factor - Ron's Network: The success of Operation Alpha Close is fundamentally tied to Ron's decade-long relationships with A-list celebrities and influencers. His network is our network, and it's this authentic access to high-profile individuals that will make our events truly compelling. These relationships, built over years of trust and collaboration, allow us to bring in influential speakers and participants at minimal cost - a unique advantage that would be impossible to replicate through traditional marketing budgets. The excitement and credibility these individuals bring to our events is crucial for closing parents and creating the kind of buzz that drives enrollment.

Strategic Advantage: This Alpha Bet leverages our unique position at the intersection of education, entertainment, and community building. While others might see this as a risky experiment, we have the inside view that makes it a calculated bet:

Deep understanding of what motivates parents to choose Alpha Schools
Authentic access to influential voices through Ron's network
Proven success with the First Supper model
Ability to create compelling events that drive real enrollment interest
Track record of delivering superior results with fewer resources

Initiative: Student-Led and Parent-Led Evangelism Event Series at Alpha High

Joint Vision: Our strategy is to create a high-impact, cost-effective series of student-led and parent-led events at Alpha High's campus (201 Colorado) that will drive significant enrollment growth through authentic peer-to-peer connections. By leveraging our existing middle and high school student body (Alpha students, Nights and Weekends students) as evangelists, and our engaged parent community as ambassadors, we will create a powerful dual referral engine that brings in hundreds of prospective families. This initiative will run alternating events for students and parents every other week, creating a consistent pipeline of prospective families through the summer enrollment period. While we're starting in Central Texas, we're actively seeking to expand to other Alpha School locations based on school leader input during our first week of operations. Our goal is to host 10 total events (5 student events and 5 parent events) by August 10th, 2025, driving 2,500+ qualified tours and 500+ enrollments across all participating schools (targeting a 5:1 tour-to-enrollment ratio, significantly improving upon the current 8:1 ratio), while establishing a replicable model for expansion to other Alpha locations. Additionally, we will simultaneously assess opportunities to shape and benefit from the Trump administration's AI × Education Executive Order, potentially opening up new federal funding streams and policy influence that could accelerate our growth and impact.

Student-Led Evangelism Event Series - Execution Phase: May 12th to August 10th, 2025

Urgent Context: This initiative launches immediately with our first event on June 7th, 2025, at Alpha High's middle school area. The series will run every other week, alternating with parent-focused events, creating a consistent pipeline of prospective students through the summer enrollment period. A key differentiator of this approach is our target of achieving a 5:1 tour-to-enrollment ratio, which would represent a 37.5% improvement over the current 8:1 ratio. While our initial focus is on middle and high school students as both evangelists and targets, we remain open to feedback and potential expansion to other age groups based on results and community input.
Big picture overview
- Execute a series of high-energy, student-led events at Alpha High campus
- Leverage existing middle and high school student body as evangelists and tour guides
- Create a tiered incentive structure for student referrals
- Establish a proof of concept that can be replicated in other Alpha locations
- Build a sustainable model for student acquisition through authentic peer connections
- Significantly improve tour-to-enrollment conversion rates through authentic student-to-student connections
- Maintain flexibility to adapt target audience based on feedback and results
Outcomes
- Host 5 student events by August 10th, 2025
- Drive 1,250+ qualified tours through event attendance
- Secure 250+ enrollments for Austin schools (targeting 5:1 tour-to-enrollment ratio vs current 8:1)
- Establish clear metrics for event success and student conversion
- Create a replicable model for other Alpha locations
- Final report by August 10th, 2025, detailing:
  - Event attendance and conversion metrics
  - Cost per acquisition analysis
  - Student evangelist performance data
  - Recommendations for scaling to other locations
  - Comparison of new vs. current tour-to-enrollment ratios
  - Analysis of age group effectiveness and recommendations for potential expansion
Measured by
- Initial Event (June 7, 2025):
  - Successfully host first student-led event
  - Achieve target attendance of 300 students
  - Document student engagement and feedback
  - Track initial tour conversions
  - Gather feedback on age group effectiveness
- Midpoint (June 28, 2025):
  - Host 3-4 successful events
  - Demonstrate consistent attendance and conversion rates
  - Refine event format based on initial results
  - Track progress toward 5:1 tour-to-enrollment ratio
  - Evaluate effectiveness across different age groups
- Final (July 31, 2025):
  - Complete all 10 planned events
  - Achieve or exceed 1,000+ tour goal
  - Reach or exceed 200+ enrollment target
  - Document successful replication model
  - Demonstrate improvement over current 8:1 tour-to-enrollment ratio
  - Provide recommendations for age group expansion
Delivered through
- Bi-weekly student-led events at Alpha High campus
- Student evangelist training and support
- Tiered incentive program for student referrals
- Event logistics and operations
- Tour coordination and follow-up
- Data collection and analysis
- Regular feedback collection from participants and stakeholders
Dependencies
- Alpha High campus availability (middle school area)
- Student evangelist commitment and training
- Tour guide availability and training
- Marketing and promotion support
- Budget approval for incentive program
- Parent event coordination
- Austin schools' capacity to handle increased enrollment
- Community feedback and willingness to participate
Budget (90-Day Initiative - May 12th to August 10th, 2025):
- Per Event Costs (Fixed):
  - Venue and setup: $5,000
  - Food and refreshments: $4,000
  - Entertainment and activities: $3,000
  - Staff support and operations: $4,000
  - Celebrity/Influencer travel and accommodations: $5,000
  - Tour Guide Speakers (3 guides × $1,000 for 4-5 hours): $3,000
  - Contingency: $4,000
  - Total per event: $30,000
  - Total for 10 events: $300,000
- Note: Marketing and content creation costs are not included in this budget as we will leverage the existing marketing team's resources and budget for:
  - Event photography and videography
  - Social media content creation and promotion
  - Email marketing campaigns
  - Digital asset creation
  - Event promotion materials
  - Content distribution This approach ensures we maximize the impact of existing marketing resources while maintaining consistent brand messaging across all channels.
Success Metrics
1. Event Attendance
  - Target: 300+ students per event
  - Minimum: 200 students per event
2. Tour Conversion Rate
  - Target: 40% of attendees
  - Minimum: 25% of attendees
3. Enrollment Rate
  - Target: 20% of tours (5:1 ratio, improving upon current 8:1)
  - Minimum: 15% of tours
4. Cost per Acquisition
  - Target: $900
  - Maximum: $1,200
5. Student Evangelist Engagement
  - Target: 20+ active evangelists
  - Minimum: 10 active evangelists
6. Age Group Effectiveness
  - Track conversion rates by age group
  - Monitor feedback on age-appropriate programming
  - Evaluate potential for expansion to other age groups
Expansion Strategy
- Begin replication in one additional city by August 2025
- Focus on locations with highest need for enrollment growth
- Leverage successful student evangelists as trainers
- Adapt event format to local market needs
- Scale incentive program based on market conditions
- Consider age group expansion based on initial results and feedback
Critical Timeline Dependencies:
- Onboarding Ron ASAP—Ideally with a Monday, May 12th Start Date
- Baseline Funnel Cost Data: Collaboration with Finance, Operations, Marketing, and Admissions teams by May 17th to establish current benchmark costs for each stage of the student acquisition funnel (awareness, application, conversion, enrollment) to accurately measure cost reduction progress
- Department Alignment: Ensuring all Alpha School internal department leads (school operations, marketing, admissions, etc.) are aware that we are a team owning the outcome of enrolling parents and students into Alpha Schools, starting in Central Texas but ready to expand to other locations based on school needs
- School Leader Connections: Connect with leaders of all Alpha Schools during the week of May 12th to identify which schools want our help with enrollment events and determine the best locations for expansion
- Incentive Program Approval: Secure alignment from Finance and Operations teams by May 16th to begin incentivizing people for referring qualified leads
Key Cross-Functional Dependencies:
- Incentive Framework Alignment:
  - Secure buy-in for implementing a referral system similar to Nights and Weekends program
  - Establish clear guidelines for incentive structure (currently using $5,000 per enrollment as a placeholder)
  - Create seamless process for tracking and paying out incentives
  - Ensure alignment with existing compensation and reward systems
  - Finalize incentive amounts based on market research and ROI analysis
  - Get Finance and Operations approval by May 16th to begin incentivizing qualified lead referrals

Parent-Led Evangelism Event Series - Execution Phase: May 12th to August 10th, 2025

Urgent Context: This initiative launches immediately with our first parent event on May 24th, 2025, at Alpha High's campus. The series will run every other week (alternating with student events), creating a consistent pipeline of prospective families through the summer enrollment period. A key differentiator of this approach is our target of achieving a 5:1 tour-to-enrollment ratio, which would represent a 37.5% improvement over the current 8:1 ratio. While our initial focus is on parents of middle and high school students, we remain open to feedback and potential expansion to other parent groups based on results and community input.
Key Contributor - Tim Joo's Role:
- Superbuilder passionate about community building / movement building / sales / talking to parents
- Primary responsibility for identifying and cultivating relationships with "spark plug" parents in Central Texas's wealthiest communities
- Actively mapping and engaging with the most influential parent networks
- Regular attendance at community events and dinners with key parent influencers
- Direct point of contact for spark plug parents, maintaining and strengthening these crucial relationships
- Natural sales ability and high energy make him ideal for inspiring parent evangelists
- Coordinates with Gary on strategic parent engagement opportunities
CRM and Relationship Management Strategy:
- Development of a comprehensive parent relationship management system
- Initial engagement with Gauntlet for CRM process optimization
- Creation of detailed "CIA-style" profiles for each influential parent, including:
  - Network connections and influence map
  - Personal interests and motivations
  - Communication preferences
  - Relationship history and touchpoints
  - Family details and school preferences
- By end of summer 2025:
  - Complete prototype of shared CRM system
  - Comprehensive database of Central Texas's most influential parents
  - Detailed playbook for identifying and tracking parent relationships
  - System for seamless handoff of relationships as team scales
Big picture overview
- Execute a series of high-impact, parent-led events at Alpha High campus
- Leverage existing parent community as evangelists and tour guides
- Create a tiered incentive structure for parent referrals
- Establish a proof of concept that can be replicated in other Alpha locations
- Build a sustainable model for family acquisition through authentic peer connections
- Significantly improve tour-to-enrollment conversion rates through authentic parent-to-parent connections
- Maintain flexibility to adapt target audience based on feedback and results
Outcomes
- Host 5 parent events by August 10th, 2025
- Drive 1,250+ qualified tours through event attendance
- Secure 250+ enrollments for Austin schools (targeting 5:1 tour-to-enrollment ratio vs current 8:1)
- Establish clear metrics for event success and family conversion
- Create a replicable model for other Alpha locations
- Final report by August 10th, 2025, detailing:
  - Event attendance and conversion metrics
  - Cost per acquisition analysis
  - Parent evangelist performance data
  - Recommendations for scaling to other locations
  - Comparison of new vs. current tour-to-enrollment ratios
  - Analysis of parent group effectiveness and recommendations for potential expansion
Measured by
- Initial Event (May 24, 2025):
  - Successfully host first parent-led event
  - Achieve target attendance of 300 parents
  - Document parent engagement and feedback
  - Track initial tour conversions
  - Gather feedback on parent group effectiveness
- Midpoint (June 14, 2025):
  - Host 3-4 successful events
  - Demonstrate consistent attendance and conversion rates
  - Refine event format based on initial results
  - Track progress toward 5:1 tour-to-enrollment ratio
  - Evaluate effectiveness across different parent groups
- Final (July 31, 2025):
  - Complete all 10 planned events
  - Achieve or exceed 1,000+ tour goal
  - Reach or exceed 200+ enrollment target
  - Document successful replication model
  - Demonstrate improvement over current 8:1 tour-to-enrollment ratio
  - Provide recommendations for parent group expansion
Delivered through
- Bi-weekly parent-led events at Alpha High campus
- Parent evangelist training and support
- Tiered incentive program for parent referrals
- Event logistics and operations
- Tour coordination and follow-up
- Data collection and analysis
- Regular feedback collection from participants and stakeholders
Dependencies
- Alpha High campus availability
- Parent evangelist commitment and training
- Tour guide availability and training
- Marketing and promotion support
- Budget approval for incentive program
- Student event coordination
- Austin schools' capacity to handle increased enrollment
- Community feedback and willingness to participate
Budget (90-Day Initiative - May 12th to August 10th, 2025):
- Per Event Costs (Fixed):
  - Venue and setup: $5,000
  - Food and refreshments: $4,000
  - Entertainment and activities: $3,000
  - Staff support and operations: $4,000
  - Celebrity/Influencer travel and accommodations: $5,000
  - Tour Guide Speakers (3 guides × $1,000 for 4-5 hours): $3,000
  - Contingency: $4,000
  - Total per event: $30,000
  - Total for 10 events: $300,000
- Note: Marketing and content creation costs are not included in this budget as we will leverage the existing marketing team's resources and budget for:
  - Event photography and videography
  - Social media content creation and promotion
  - Email marketing campaigns
  - Digital asset creation
  - Event promotion materials
  - Content distribution This approach ensures we maximize the impact of existing marketing resources while maintaining consistent brand messaging across all channels.
Success Metrics
1. Event Attendance
  - Target: 300+ parents per event
  - Minimum: 200 parents per event
2. Tour Conversion Rate
  - Target: 40% of attendees
  - Minimum: 25% of attendees
3. Enrollment Rate
  - Target: 20% of tours (5:1 ratio, improving upon current 8:1)
  - Minimum: 15% of tours
4. Cost per Acquisition
  - Target: $900
  - Maximum: $1,200
5. Parent Evangelist Engagement
  - Target: 20+ active evangelists
  - Minimum: 10 active evangelists
6. Parent Group Effectiveness
  - Track conversion rates by parent group
  - Monitor feedback on parent-appropriate programming
  - Evaluate potential for expansion to other parent groups
Expansion Strategy
- Begin replication in one additional city by August 2025
- Focus on locations with highest need for enrollment growth
- Leverage successful parent evangelists as trainers
- Adapt event format to local market needs
- Scale incentive program based on market conditions
- Consider parent group expansion based on initial results and feedback

Note: The total fixed budget for both initiatives (student-led and parent-led) is $450,000, with $300,000 allocated to each series ($30,000 per event × 10 events per series). This represents a combined potential to drive 2,000+ tours and 400+ enrollments across both initiatives. The incentive program costs are variable and will be requested separately based on actual performance, with a maximum potential payout of $2,000,000 ($5,000 per enrollment × 400 target enrollments) if we hit our targets. The ROI is compelling, with each $5,000 investment potentially generating $40,000 in annual tuition revenue from full-paying students. Marketing and content creation costs are not included in this budget as we will leverage the existing marketing team's resources and budget. The celebrity/influencer participation is made possible through Ron's decade-long relationships, allowing us to bring in high-profile individuals at minimal cost compared to their standard rates. Additional budget may be requested if needed for specific events or circumstances.

White House Initiative: Alpha Schools × Trump Administration AI Education Executive Order Assessment ($70,000 / 30 days)

Urgent Context: This initiative launches immediately with a White House visit scheduled for the week of May 12th, 2025. The 30-day assessment phase will determine whether there's a viable opportunity to work with the Trump administration on shaping and benefiting from the AI × Education Executive Order. This rapid evaluation period will guide our decision on whether to proceed with a full-scale engagement.
Big picture overview
- Execute a comprehensive assessment of opportunities to influence and shape federal grant rules under the new AI × Education Executive Order
- Leverage Gary Sheng and Ron Roberts' extensive network, including access to three top-tier political strategists deeply connected with senior Trump administration officials
- Evaluate potential for Alpha Schools to receive substantial government grants by aligning our innovative educational models with federal priorities
- Determine by June 12th, 2025 whether to proceed with a full-scale engagement or pivot to alternative strategies
Outcomes
- By May 12th, 2025:
  - Complete initial high-level strategy document for White House visit
  - Schedule and execute first round of high-level meetings, including with Paula White
  - Establish initial connections with key administration officials
- By June 12th, 2025:
  - Deliver comprehensive assessment report including:
    - Viability of working with Trump administration
    - Potential grant opportunities and requirements
    - Risk assessment and mitigation strategies
    - Recommended next steps (proceed or pivot)
  - Document all meetings and relationships established
  - Provide clear go/no-go recommendation for full-scale engagement
Measured by
- Quality and depth of relationships established with administration officials
- Clarity of understanding of Executive Order implications
- Concrete assessment of grant opportunities
- Clear recommendation for next steps
- Documentation of all meetings and outcomes
Delivered through
- Comprehensive research brief on the Executive Order
- Detailed assessment of potential grant opportunities
- Documentation of all meetings and relationships
- Final recommendation report
- If proceeding: Initial draft of grant-shaping strategy
Dependencies
- Rapid onboarding of key experts:
  - Justin Horwitz
  - Dr. Denise Mitchem
  - Samuel Armes
- Timely availability of Alpha Schools' strategic plans
- Cooperation from Alpha Schools leadership for high-level meetings
- Access to political strategists and their networks
Budget (30-Day Assessment Phase):
- Political Strategist Engagement: $60,000
  - Initial consultations with three top-tier strategists ($20,000 each)
  - Rapid assessment of political landscape
  - Access to key administration contacts
- Strategic Meetings & Events: $10,000
  - High-impact meetings in DC
  - Initial relationship building
  - Information gathering
  - Dinner budgets for key meetings
- Research & Analysis: $0
  - Executive Order analysis (covered by strategists)
  - Grant opportunity assessment (covered by strategists)
  - Risk evaluation (covered by strategists)
- Total 30-Day Budget: $70,000
Success Metrics
1. Relationship Building
  - Number of key administration officials engaged
  - Quality of initial relationships established
  - Access to decision-makers secured
2. Opportunity Assessment
  - Clarity of understanding of Executive Order
  - Identification of specific grant opportunities
  - Evaluation of potential impact
3. Risk Assessment
  - Political risk evaluation
  - Resource requirement analysis
  - Timeline feasibility assessment
4. Decision Quality
  - Clarity of go/no-go recommendation
  - Strength of supporting evidence
  - Quality of next steps if proceeding

Note: This 30-day assessment phase will determine whether to proceed with a full-scale engagement with the Trump administration. The decision will be based on concrete evidence of opportunity, clear understanding of requirements, and assessment of potential risks and rewards. If we proceed, a detailed 90-day execution plan will be developed with an expanded budget of $240,000.

TOTAL FOR FIRST 90 DAYS: $615,000

Salaries (Gary & Ron):

Gary Sheng (3 months @ $50k/month): $150,000
Ron Roberts (3 months @ $50k/month): $150,000 Subtotal Salaries: $300,000

Operation Alpha Close - Student & Parent Evangelism Events:

Total Budget: $300,000
- 10 total events (5 student events and 5 parent events) × $30,000
- Note: Marketing costs covered by existing team budget
- Note: Incentive program costs ($5,000 per enrollment) are variable and not included

White House Initiative - Trump AI Education Executive Order Assessment:

Total Budget: $70,000
- Political Strategist Engagement: $60,000
- Strategic Meetings & Events: $10,000
- Note: If proceeding after 30-day assessment, additional $240,000 budget will be requested

Grand Total 90-Day Budget: $615,000

Note: This budget represents the initial 90-day investment in three parallel initiatives:

Student and parent evangelism events to drive enrollment
White House initiative assessment to explore federal grant opportunities
Core team salaries to execute these initiatives

The ROI potential is significant:

Each $5,000 enrollment incentive could generate $40,000 in annual tuition revenue
Successful federal grant opportunities could provide multi-million dollar funding
The evangelism events aim to improve tour-to-enrollment ratio from 8:1 to 5:1
Success Metrics for Dependencies:
1. Timeline Adherence
  - Ron's onboarding completed by May 12th
  - Baseline funnel data established by May 17th
  - All department leads briefed by May 15th
  - Initial school leader connections completed by May 16th
2. Incentive Framework
  - Framework approved by May 16th
  - Tracking system operational by June 1st
3. Cross-Functional Alignment
  - Marketing support plan approved
  - Admissions process documented
  - Operations checklist completed
  - Finance tracking system ready
4. Geographic Expansion
  - School leader meetings completed
  - Expansion locations identified
  - Local team connections established
  - Venue availability confirmed