What if your child discovered and developed their unique genius?

Introducing Expanse

Expanse offers a full secondary school program for students 10-19.

We immerse your child in exceptional peer learning experiences that lead to high-level academics and skill development. Our program is personalized to support your child’s pursuit of their distinctive genius.

We are warm, purpose-driven, and effective. Our students are intellectual, creative, and entrepreneurial.

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“The way that you do education is pretty much the way I did education with Laura, except that you are a pro.”

Homeschooling father of Laura Deming

Laura matriculated at MIT at 14, left MIT to accept a Thiel Fellowship at 16, and was a leading anti-aging VC at 20.

“Michael’s gift was to notice, listen, not interfere, connect at a deep level...if you want someone to help your teen find his own gifts and peace, then ask Michael Strong to work with your teen.”

Mother Phyllis Blees

Son Cliff left high school as a coding autodidact, becoming a senior software engineer at SpaceX, Tesla, and Waymo with no high school or college degree.

"I will never forget his [Michael's] words to me: ‘95 percent of Josh’s difficulties in public school will go away in a school environment like ours.’ That was the moment I knew our son was destined for something different."

Kim Schuchman

Parent of Josh Schuchman, a twice exceptional "2e" student.

"[My daughter] is exhausted but is feeling intellectually challenged and engaged. This is a great fit for her."

Naomi

Parent of current student at Expanse

"Mom, you know what’s weird? I’ve been really excited for school. Like, actually, excited."

Current Expanse Student

"My son has rediscovered his love of learning and school. We are so grateful."

Parent of current student at Expanse

"I learned more from 15 minutes here than I did in months at Basis."

Current Expanse Student

"[My daughter] has always enjoyed school but I have never seen her as excited and joyful as she was today to be back in class at Expanse. I am so grateful that she has this opportunity."

Parent of current student at Expanse

A Week at Expanse

10:00 – 10:50 am

Community

We begin the day with vibrant, guided community activities. Students discuss shared experiences, present ideas clearly and persuasively, authentically express emotions, resolve conflicts, give and receive useful feedback, and discuss world events. Improv and theatre as skill development exercises provide fun while guiding skill development. We customize an approach to “Designing Your Life.”

11:00-11:50 am

Socratic

Students spend 40 minutes together analyzing issues they care about, drawn from closely reading complex texts. They engage with peers as listeners, speakers, thinkers, and leaders. This collaborative learning starts with deep, thoughtful primary texts, both classic and contemporary, that span world history, literature, poetry, and philosophy.

12:00 – 1:00 pm

Writing and Personal Project

Students learn to express in writing the opinions and observations they’ve already verbalized in Socratic, developing their written voice in both creative and discursive ways. We supplement assignments with exercises on the nuts and bolts of grammar and punctuation. As a result, students develop exceptionally strong essay-writing skills. Regarding personal projects, weekly check-ins with mentors ensure that your child is moving forward in a constructive manner. Projects in history, science, technology, and media, among others, enhance awareness of the world’s options.

2:00 – 2:55 pm

Math

Students follow the QuantumCamp curricula, which develops problem-solving skills and is aligned with standard middle school STEM content. Advanced students are given more challenging problems; those with gaps receive personalized practice. All are coached on effectively learning mathematics using principles of Barbara Oakley, author of the highly regarded ​Learning How to Learn.

3:05 – 4:00 pm

Science

The QuantumCamp curricula structures middle school learning through a series of inquiry-based experiments inspired by the actual history of science. Families receive kits in the mail, which students then use to conduct the experiments. The program combines rigor and experiential discovery to provide a rich middle school science experience.

30 minutes once a week

Mentorship

With mentorship, students are guided through the intentional design of their lives in compelling ways. It is also a space for them to articulate personal setbacks and successes with a mentor who can help them develop a strategy to constructively address whatever is going on in their lives.

10:00 – 12:00 pm

International Project-Based Learning

Students take courses from our partner, Nobel Explorers, a global STEM bootcamp. Working in a team of their peers, they learn not only in-demand tech skills such as coding and web design but also life skills, including teamwork and communication.

1:00 – 2:30 pm

Personal Project

Students continue working on personal projects with an opportunity to check in with their mentors.

2:30 – 4:00 pm

Art Apprenticeship

Students at Expanse artistically express their view of the world. Classes are personalized with ample creative freedom; newer students are always given time to learn and cover the basics, while advanced students explore subtle techniques and ideas through the Guide and their peers. All students draw what interests them and receive guidance for constant improvement, allowing their creative side to blossom!

Rolling
Admissions

We accept students on a rolling basis.
Our program is sufficiently personalized that we can accept students at any time and integrate them into our community and chart out their personal development path.

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Learn how your child will love school! Get the Parent Guide now.