Alpha School’s Ritzy New York City Campus Costs $65,000 a Year—but Isn’t Actually a School
Alpha School, a private institution in New York City charging $65,000 in tuition, has been denied status as an independent school by the state. Regulators cited the school's reliance on AI-based instruction with minimal human teacher supervision.
Why it matters
The case highlights the growing tension between traditional educational standards and experimental, AI-driven 'schooling' models marketed to wealthy families.
ILLUSTRATION: ELENA LACEY; GETTY IMAGES Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Comment Loader Save Story Save this story In the fall of 2025, top executives from Alpha School gathered a group of wealthy New York City parents at a series of information sessions in Lower Manhattan to pitch them on the company’s new campus. The events, some of which were hosted by Alpha cofounder MacKenzie Price and its billionaire principal, Joe Liemandt, were designed to show how Alpha was “redefining school” through AI-powered learning models. The goal: persuade families to ditch the city’s traditional education system and join what Alpha initially called “the most forward-thinking private school in New York.”
The reporting is investigative and relies on official documents to challenge the company's marketing claims.
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