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Metadata

ID:
2025-04-17-alpha-school-visit-with-eddie-dunn
Participants:

Alpha School Visit with Eddie Dunn and Conversations with Students

Overview​

Gary Sheng brought Eddie Dunn, Brooke Joy, and other visitors to Alpha School in Austin to tour the facility, meet students and staff, and discuss ideas for promoting and expanding the Alpha School model. The visit included a tour of the campus, introductions to students working on various projects, and an extended conversation with student Sloan Price about Alpha School's strengths and challenges.

Key Discussion Points​

American Alpha Competition Concept​

  • Gary proposed a nationwide competition called "American Alpha" to select 13 talented students for full scholarships to Alpha School
  • Concept includes a documentary or reality show component to showcase student journeys
  • Prize would potentially include 4 years of tuition, room and board, and additional funding (potentially ~$400K worth)
  • Aim is to make Alpha "the Harvard of high schools" but fundamentally different/better

Alpha School Model Discussion​

  • Gary described Alpha's model: only 1/5 of the day is spent on traditional academics; the rest is self-directed learning
  • Students pursue passion projects with guidance from staff "guides"
  • Model focuses on autonomy, creativity, and real-world connections

Sloan Price's Insights​

  • Expressed concerns about Alpha's credibility compared to established schools
  • Noted Alpha needs more concrete success stories to attract top students
  • Suggested Alpha needs to demonstrate both traditional academic success and innovative outcomes
  • Discussed potential risks of a reality show format (privacy concerns, potential for drama/misrepresentation)
  • Suggested she could serve as a consulting producer if a show moved forward

Eddie Dunn's Perspective​

  • Shared his experience dropping out of traditional education and finding more meaningful learning outside the system
  • Expressed enthusiasm for Alpha's approach after touring the campus
  • Discussed how the model could benefit his son (age 6)

Student Projects​

  • Brief interactions with students working on various projects:
    • Caleb (interested in horror films, potentially connecting with Jason Egan)
    • Bella (developing a skincare brand)
    • Other students working on streaming, fashion, and various ventures

Follow-up Actions​

  • Gary suggested connecting Caleb with Jason Egan (immersive horror experience creator) in Las Vegas
  • Proposed having Sloan serve as a consulting producer if a show/competition moves forward
  • Discussed scheduling a future meeting with MacKenzie Price
  • Mentioned plans for bringing more creative professionals to connect with Alpha students